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.
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Over het 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.
Hoogtepunten
- 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
- Beheerder
- Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council
Toegangsprijzen & kortingen
| 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.
Toegankelijkheid
- Rolstoeltoegankelijk: geen informatie
- Lift: geen informatie
- Aangepast toilet: geen informatie
- Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
- Hulphonden welkom: geen informatie
- Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
- Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
- Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
- Audiodescriptie: geen informatie
Access can be arranged for visitors with reduced mobility. Access to the site is along the canal towpath.
Kinderen & gezin
- Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
- Doe- en voelstations
Forging is a hands-on activity; groups and birthday parties can book sessions.
Bereikbaarheid & parkeren
Met de auto
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.
Route plannenService & horeca
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.
Evenementen & zaalverhuur
Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.
Je bezoek plannen
| Aanbod voor scholen | ja |
|---|---|
| Goed om te weten | 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. |