walking in offaly the grand canal way

Grand Canal Way - East Offaly Section During the 18th century there was great enthusiasm in Ireland for building canals. They were seen as aids to economic development, before the advent of railways and roads when transport was very difficult and a good navigation network was vital to trade and industrial development. In 1755 the Irish Parliament approved and grant-aided a scheme which became known as the Grand Canal. It was to follow a route from Dublin via Sallins and Tullamore to reach the Shannon near Banagher. The coming of the railways signalled the end of the golden age of canals in the late 1800s. During the Second World War when fuel was scarce, horse-drawn barges made a comeback as turf was transported from the midlands to Dublin. In 1986 The Office of Public Works assumed control of the canal with responsibility for the care and maintenance of the system as a public amenity. The Grand Canal is now being developed as a Long Walking Route from the River Liffey (Dublin) to the Shannon.