SERIES OF THREE SEA LOCKS AT GRAND CANAL DOCK

There is a lot of construction ongoing at this location which happens to be beside the Airbnb HQ. It should also be mentioned that Airbnb has leased more office space at the Reflector office building on Hanover Quay, directly beside its existing European headquarters building, and plans to build a physical link between the two blocks.

Grand Canal Dock was constructed in the 1790s, to designs by William Jessop, to terminate an extension of the Grand Canal, the Circular Line, from Grand Canal Harbour at James's Street. These sea locks were an integral component of the docks, as they were designed to accommodate the tidal River Liffey with the still water of the canal. Well executed in tooled granite, each lock was named after English viceroys. Westmoreland Lock, the smallest of the three, was designed to accommodate canal boats, while Camden and Buckingham Locks were intended to accommodate ocean-going vessels. However, by the 1830s, the newer varieties of steam-powered paddle steamer were too large for even Camden Lock, the largest of the three, rendering the docks unfit for purpose. Buckingham and Westmoreland Locks remain in working order. The use of tooled stone creates a sense of unity between these locks and the basin itself, while inscribed lettering to the walls lends contextual as well as decorative interest. There is an impressive level of skill and artisanship evident in their execution, an important reminder of Ireland's civil engineering and maritime history and heritage.