Set in the 1796 Grand Canal Basin you’ll find the architecturally appealing Irish Waterways Visitor Centre. The building itself is secured on a steel and gravel base on the canal bed. However at a casual glance it actually seems to be floating above the waters of the canal and for that reason the ever-playful locals have dubbed it ‘the box in the docks’.
Inside the centre you’ll find out about the history of Ireland’s inland waterways which were built in the 18th Century so as to provide trade and transport routes that would link Dublin with the River Shannon and the west coast. Two canals can be found in the city; the Royal Canal in the north and the Grand Canal to the south and it is said that Dubliners are not true Dubliners unless they are born in between them. The prominence of the canals faded with the arrival of the railway and they swiftly fell into disuse. Nowadays the canals are used primarily for fishing and pleasure boats and although they have been relegated to leisurely pursuits, it is nevertheless interesting to learn about the days when these two canals were responsible for transporting the backbone of the city’s trade.
The Irish Waterways Visitor Centre features various historical exhibits, as well as working models of engineering features and an audiovisual show. It is open daily between June and September, and from Wednesday to Sunday between the months of October and May. Visitors are charged an admission fee.
