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dock clock

The Docks – Unloading Limerick Industry

Posted on July 21, 2013August 6, 2019 by Sharon Slater

Prior to the construction of the Floating Docks at Steamboat Quay goods were brought into the city at the Quays, namely Arthurs Quay, Merchant’s Quay, Howley’s Quay, Bishop’s Quay, Fisher’s Quay and Harvey’s Quay. There was also a dock on the North Bank of the Shannon where Shannon Bridge is today.

On the 18 September 1845 the first public enquiry was held at the Tidal Harbour Commission where the Limerick Bridge Commissioners and the Chamber of Commerce argued convincingly for a floating dock to be built in Limerick Harbour. The first stone for the dock was laid on the 6 July 1849 by the Mayor of Limerick John Boyse. A parade was held in recognition of the event, as described by H. W. Russell, in the North Munster Antiquarian Journal, vol. 6, no. 1, 1949

[quote]Royal Horse Artillery, two troops of the King’s Dragoon Guards, the 3rd Buff and the 7th Highlanders, along with a large force of the police, many of them being drafted from the outposts for the occasion. There was also present the Corporation in their robes, the Chamber of Commerce, the County and City High Sheriffs, and Congregated Trades with 13 stands of colours. [/quote]

The floating dock was finished in 1853 and opened to a similar ceremony by the Edward Eliot, 3rd Earl of Germans and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland on 26 September 1853. The final cost for construction was £54, 000 of which £39,000 was labourer costs. In 1873 the graving docks were opened by the Earl John Spencer, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, this event was mentioned by a local woman Eleanor McGhie in a letter to her niece.

You can see some other images of the docks in our never seen before post.


The following photographs of the Docks are courtesy of

Aisling O’ Donoghue

[quote]We came up from Scattery Island by boat and docked in the docks themselves – very novel approach to Limerick! So including a few pics taken as we were coming in.[/quote]

Approaching the Docks:

docks
Limerick Docks

The Snuff Box:

The Snuff Box
The Snuff Box

Bannatyne Cornstore:

grain store
Grain Store

Bannatyne Grain Silo:

Grain Silo
Grain Silo

Dock Clock:

Dock Clock
Dock Clock

Commemorative Plaque:

dock plaque
Commemorative Plaque
[quote]…interesting thing I found is that the two cannon that accompanied the Viscount Fitzgibbon memorial on Sarsfield Bridge are now outside the old Harbour Commissioners’ offices – a fine building.[/quote]

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This website is a personal project of Sharon Slater, born from a passion for Limerick and its history. It has been maintained, updated and contributed to it independently and voluntarily. If you'd like to buy me a coffee to keep Limerick's history online, please know that all donations will go directly into the costs of hosting the website and the time and travel to research and write the articles found on the site.

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