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Robertstown

Robertstown is a tranquil village 8 miles from Naas on the Grand Canal.

Local History

Robertstown is a small picturesque village situated on the banks of the Grand Canal, bordering the Bog of Allen. The village grew in importance with the arrival of the Grand Canal in 1784. Lowtown marks the summit of the Grand Canal standing 279 feet above sea level. 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 14 th century. Robertstown is within a short distance from the Fitzgeralds Castles at Kilmeague and Ballyteague.

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 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.

Now the waterways have no commercial purpose, but they still provide recreation: coarse fishermen use both, and Robertstown is a base for canal cruises.

Things To Do

Lowtown Cruisers Ltd.
Ireland's unique and unexploited waterways are yours to explore in the ultimate comfort and luxury of the 6/7 berth cruisers which offer you all the modern conveniences you would expect from a hotel. You may hire by the week or for longer cruises. Weekend or day cruises may also be booked depending on availability. You can cruise along the Grand Canal, Barrow and the Shannon. A full back-up staff with all the marine technological expertise are on call to make your cruising holiday a most enjoyable and eventful one.

Stay at Robertstown Holiday Village

Robertstown Holiday Village comprises of eight cottages, each with their own grounds on the Banks of the Grand Canal in the village of Robertstown.

Set up your fishing berth at your cottage on the banks of the Grand Canal. The Grand Canal is renowned for coarse fishing with good catches of Bream, Hybrids, Pike, Rudd, and Tench.