Tralee Canal

Blennerville to Tralee Ship Canal

On February 15th 1828, a petition on behalf of the gentry and merchants of

Tralee was made to the House of Commons, by Maurice Fitzgerald, the Knight of Kerry.

This petition sought the sanction and aid of Parliament towards the completion of a ship

canal from the town to the sea. A Bill was introduced, and having passed through the

necessary parliamentary processes, was finally sanctioned by a local Act in June 1829.

In 1834 the harbour dues levied on shipping and cargoes in the port, collected from

merchants and townspeople amounted to £600.
Work on the Tralee Ship Canal began during the 1830's. The canal stretches from

about half a mile beyond Blennerville Quay, to the port of Prince's Quay, right on the

edge of Tralee town. At Blennerville, a lock was built, with a wooden drawbridge which

could be pulled up to let ships through.

However, within 20 years the final section of railway track was laid connecting Tralee to Killarney

and to the national train line network. This work was completed in 1859 when the railway station

in Tralee (now Casement Station) was opened.

Today, the Canal is used by Tralee Rowiug Club and is bordered on the north side by a fine walk

or pathway used by locals and visitors.

Loading Ships at the Basin, Tralee