History
Timeline
To the right you will see the historical timeline for the Lagan Navigation Trust. Please feel free to explore each year.
1649
- Cromwellian Army
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Colonel Monk of the Cromwellian Army orders a survey on linking Lough Neagh to the eastern seaboard.
1742
- Newry Canal
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Newry Canal completed as the first summit canal in the British Isles.
1741
- Survey
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A survey of the Lagan made by the Surveyor General, Arthur Dobbs. Belfast encouraged to compete with Newry as a port.
1753
- Act of Parliament
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Petitions presented to the Irish Parliament supporting a Lagan Navigation. Act of Parliament passed for a tax on spirits and beer to be levied in the Laganside districts to fund the construction.
1756
- Grant
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First grant of public funds. Commissioners of Inland Navigation appoint engineer Thomas Omer to supervise the scheme.
1763
- Belfast to Lisburn
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Navigation from Belfast to Lisburn opened.
1767
- Sprucefield
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Navigation extended to Sprucefield. Grants ceased and the spirits tax of £1,000 per year not sufficient to progress work.
1779
- Marquis of Donegall
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Marquis of Donegall takes over the Navigation works with a private company. Richard Owen, an English engineer, is appointed to complete the navigation to Lough Neagh.
1793
- Port Chichester
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Canal driven through to EllisÂ’s Gut (Port Chichester was rejected as a name) on the shores of Lough Neagh.
1842
- Company Established
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Lagan Navigation Company established. Ulster Canal opens linking Lough Neagh and Lough Erne.
1914-18
- World Wars
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Canal used to transport supplies during World War I & II.
1954
- Stretch Closed Lisburn
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Lough Neagh to Lisburn stretch closed.
1958
- Stretch Closed Belfast
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Lisburn to Belfast stretch closed.
1965
- Moira to Sprucefield
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Moira to Sprucefield section lost due to construction of the M1 Motorway.
2008
- Lagan Canal Trust
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Formation of the Lagan Canal Trust.
2016
- Lagan Navigation Trust
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During this year Lagan Canal Trust became Lagan Navigation Trust