The Lagan Canal stretches for 27 miles from Belfast to Lough Neagh passing through 27 Locks. Built in the 18^th century, it was one of the most successful commercial navigations in Ireland. The development of road and rail led to the demise of the Lagan Canal and its abandonment in the 1950’s.

The remains of the Lagan Canal is one of the region’s best assets as it passes through the cities of Belfast and Lisburn, traversing through rolling countryside and picturesque villages. It’s journey ends entering Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles.

The source of the River Lagan lies in Slieve Croob part of the Dromara Hills in Co, Down. The river starts as a spring collecting surface water as it makes its way through Dromara, Lisburn and Belfast, where it enters Belfast Lough having travelled a total of 40 miles (60km). The main tributory of the River Lagan is the Ravernet River.

The Lagan Navigation or Canal was constructed to transport goods to and from Belfast and Lough Neagh. The navigation is made up of sections of the River Lagan and man made cuts of canal. The navigation seperates from the River Lagan at Union Locks, Sprucefield where the summit level, the highest point of the navigation, carries the waterway towards Aghalee and onto Lough Neagh. The later section was an artificially constructed cut of canal entirely separate from the River Lagan.

The Lagan Canal Today

Today a small section of the Canal is navigable through Lock 12 at Lisburn Civic Centre.  There are also 3 main sections of the towpath open and accessible to the public. For more information on towpath walks and places to visit click on the Come and Visit menu.

The majority of the summit level of the canal between Sprucefield and Moira was lost during the construction of the M1 Motorway in the early 1960’s.  Currently both the river and canal generally contain a sufficient depth of water to maintain water tightness of the channel.  There appears to have been little deterioration of the river and canal banks by either normal erosion or other alterations.

Most lock chambers are overgrown by tree and plant growth, and are partly filled with water.  Apart from natural deterioration, changes to the locks have been limited to the removal of lockgates and the construction of concrete weirs within the locks for drainage purposes.

Attractions along the canal include its 27 locks, which are all scheduled monuments, as well as the many and varied road bridges and lock keeper’s cottages. The canal can boast the only flight of 4 locks (Union Locks) in the Irish waterway network. These locks lifted the boats 26 feet over a distance of 100 yards.

The legacy of the Lagan Canal can also be discovered in the mills built alongside this great transport route.

Alongside the fascinating built heritage there exists a wealth of natural heritage to be experienced and discovered, all coming together to create one of the best assets that Northern Ireland can boast.

For more information please click on the link below to view our new Guide.

Guide to the Lagan Canal