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Welcome to The Robertstown Canal Festival 2009
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Fáilte go Baile an Riobáird (Welcome to Robertstown)
A brief History of Robertstown
Robertstown is a small picturesque village nestled by the banks of the canal, bordering the Bog of Allen and less than 15 minutes from the KClub - host to the 2006 Ryder Cup. History suggests that Robertstown got its name from the Fitzgeralds, who descended from the Knights of Kerry. The Anglo-Norman name Robert was used as a Christian name by the Fitzgeralds, Lords of Allen in the 14th century. Robertstown is within a short distance from the Fitzgeralds Castles at Kilmeague and Ballyteague
The village grew in importance with the introduction of the canal in 1784. The
canal was the lifeline for the village of Robertstown. The Grand Canal carried
some 100,000 passengers a year up to the mid-1800's and was used by freight
barges up to the 1960's. With the extension of the Grand Canal to Robertstown
in 1785 the economic development of the village began. The building of new
houses, forges, stables and taverns to accommodate the workers brought a new
sense of hope to this rural area. In 1801 the Grand Canal hotel was built. The
standard of cuisine and accommodation was considered to be one of the best in
its day and due to popular demand the hotel was later extended.
The hotel and area enjoyed great success until 1853, with the decline in passenger traffic on the canal; the hotel closed and later became a police headquarters. In 1939 Bord na Mona took over the hotel which was in a state of decay. It wasn't until the early sixties that restoration began on the hotel. In 1993 the Robertstown Development Association, comprising of local people took over the hotel and two barges in order to restore the hotel to its former splendid self and to revitalise a tourist initiative in the area. Up until recently the hotel contained a Restaurant and Canal Waterways Museum. Today it stands as a historical landmark and acts as a base for canal cruises.
Robertstown is an ideal rural retreat with an abundance of amenities and
festivals on our doorstep - Golfing, Fishing, Canal Cruises, Hillwalking,
Equestrian, Cycling, Historic Sites and famous gardens.
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