Robertstown

Robertstown is a small village situated on the banks of the Grand Canal in County Kildare, Ireland. It grew in importance on the arrival of the canal in 1784 on which it is on the summit level, 85m (279 ft) above sea level.

In 1801 the "Grand Canal Hotel" was opened to cater for the passenger traffic along the canal and an extension was added in 1804. For a time business was good with the canal carrying 100,000 passengers per year, but revenues began to fall and gradually the 72 windows and 62 hearths were closed up to avoid paying tax. [cite book|title=Guide to the Grand Canal of Ireland|publisher=Waterways Service and Inland Waterways Association of Ireland|date=1995] It ceased being a hotel in 1849, was used as a barracks for the Irish Constabulary between 1869 and 1905 and has recently been used as a community centre.

"Robertstown Holiday Village" [ [http://www.robertstownholidayvillage.com/ Robertstown Holiday Village] ] is a set of canal-side cottages which provide excellent opportunities for fishing.

"Lowtown Marina" [ [http://www.lowtownmarina.com/ Lowtown Marina] ] has a large number of boats for sale and offers boating services on the canal.

External Links

* [http://www.kildare.ie/tourism/towns/robertstown.asp Kildare Tourism]
* [http://iwai.ie/maps/grand/maps.grand.6.html Grand Canal Guide]

Notes