Old Canal

On ground falling gently from W to E; extending c. 10km along N side of Killarney-Mallow road (known as The Navigation Road). Earth-cut canal in various states of preservation, but mostly overgrown muddy channel, though parts still hold water; short sections have been infilled. Canal taken from River Blackwater at W end, by Pallas lock which no longer survives (Jackson 1987, 22). Second lock (CO032-021003-) at Longueville: now shortened at E end from length of 47m to 23.5m; retaining side walls (Wth 6.62m; H c. 4m) built of coursed ashlar limestone, with vertical niche for lock gate at E end. W end destroyed when turned into underpass for farm animals during road widening in 1985/6. On N bank at W end are fragmentary remains of structure (c. 3.1m N-S; c. 3.7m E-W). Canal begun in 1756 to connect coal fields of Duhallow (15252) to sea at Youghal, via the Blackwater River; designed by William Ockinden (Power 1986, 18). According to local information, built on line of 'Ballynoe fosse', a boundary of O'Callaghan's country (Tarrant 1989, 38). Canal abandoned in 1786, when road transport became more favourable and economical. Some boats did use canal but as it connected neither with the coal fields nor the navigable river at Cappoquin it soon became derelict (Delaney 1986, 62). Lime kiln and house (15057) immediately to NW of Longueville lock, probably associated with canal. Named 'Old Canal' on 1842 OS 6-inch map. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009