Navigating its way through a natural trough in the landscape, the Newry Canal, with a series of 14 locks, opened in 1742 as Britain’s first summit level canal. You can chose to follow the entire route from Portadown to Newry or simply wander along one of the 7 shorter sections. Starting the route just outside Portadown, the gravel towpath leads to Moneypenny’s Lock. The adjacent Lock House built at the start of the 19th Century today houses an exhibition on the canal. Carrying on along the towpath, you will pass Terryhogan & Campbell’s Lock before reaching Scarva, a village that owes its very existence to the Newry Canal and the erection of Scarva Bridge in 1744. Worth a visit are Scarva Visitor Centre and tearooms, open seasonally with band concerts every Sunday throughout the open season. Continue past Acton Lake, also known as Lough Shark, which marks the halfway point of the walk. Even though the canal is man made it has become home to an abundance of plants and birdlife, its slow moving waters providing a valuable freshwater habitat. Look out for yellow flag iris in the summer, migratory Bewick and Whooper Swans in the winter, water lilies and damsel flies. After passing the village of Poyntzpass, and another 11 locks, walkers will enter the town of Newry. As it entered the mid 18th century, Newry’s Quays became lined with warehouses to handle the goods being transported along the canal. Trade slumped in the 1900’s and the Newry Canal finally closed in 1947. The walk finishes at Newry Town Hall.