Moneypenny's Lock House
Canal lockhouse and 18th-century stables on the Newry Canal towpath near Portadown, now a working forge with blacksmithing classes and demonstrations.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Newry–Portadown Canal opened in 1742 and was the first summit-level canal built in Britain. Moneypenny's Lock and Lockhouse take their name from the Moneypenny family, who looked after the lock from the early 1800s until the canal closed in the middle of the 20th century.
The lockhouse and the neighbouring 18th-century stables and bothy stand beside the canal towpath. The stables once housed the horses that pulled the barges, and the men who travelled the canal stayed overnight in the bothy. Today the stables house Moneypenny's Forge, a working blacksmith workshop with coke, gas and induction forges, a power hammer and a tempering oven.
The forge runs come-and-try sessions every Saturday and private lessons on weekdays, from simple objects such as hooks and bottle openers to blades, axes and Damascus steel. Walkers and cyclists on the Newry Canal Way are welcome to drop in to see the forge at work, and a bee garden and picnic benches lie beside the canal.
Highlights
- Working forge in 18th-century canal stables
- Restored lockhouse named after the lockkeeping Moneypenny family
- Blacksmithing classes and demonstrations
- On the Newry Canal Way towpath, with a bee garden and picnic benches
- Operated by
- Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Admission & discounts
| Blacksmith workshop, one-off taster session | £35Per person; booking essential. |
|---|---|
| Educational visit for schools and groups | £36Per group, with limited hands-on experience at the anvil. |
No entry fee for watching is stated. Forging sessions cost £35 per person for the first six weekly sessions and £20 per session after that for members; a six-week course for a group of four costs £720.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Access can be arranged for visitors with reduced mobility. Access to the site is along the canal towpath.
Kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Forging is a hands-on activity; groups and birthday parties can book sessions.
Getting there & parking
By car
There is no parking at the forge. Visitors can park at the mural on Horseshoe Lane, BT62 3RS, and should wait for the green light when crossing the unmanned railway crossing.
The site is reached along the Newry Canal towpath from Portadown or from Knock Bridge.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
No food or drink is sold apart from water; forging is strenuous, so visitors who take part are advised to bring a packed lunch. Picnic benches and a bee garden are beside the canal.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
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| Good to know | Walkers, cyclists and passers-by are welcome to drop in to see the forge at work, and demonstrations are available on request. Educational visits for primary and secondary schools and U3A groups can be booked. |