Walk name: Newry Canal Towpath Scarva Village to Madden's Bridge
Area: Armagh
Distance: 3 miles linear
Map: Sheet 20 of Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland Discoverer Series
Nearest town/village to start:
Banbridge
Facilities: Scarva Visitor Centre & Tearooms are open during the summer season from 10am (closed Mondays). Toilets are available at the centre.
Developed by: The Newry Canal Way has been developed and is maintained by Banbridge, Craigavon, Armagh and Newry and Mourne District Councils
Terrain: This walk takes place on flat Path and is suitable for all abilities
Walk description: A 20-mile route from Portadown to Newry, the Newry Canal Towpath runs along the first summit-level canal in these islands, completed in 1742. However if you don't fancy taking on all 20 miles, then this three-mile linear section from Scarva to Madden's Bridge (just outside Tandragee) is a great way to explore the history of the canal on a route that's suitable for all abilities. To begin the walk, start at the Scarva Visitors Centre. Located at the dock on the canal where vast quantities of coal were unloaded for use in the local Linen industry, the centre helps to explain the building of the canal, its trade and Scarva's role within this.
From the bandstand beside the visitors centre the outline of the old canal basin can be seen. Here the canal boats would have unloaded and loaded goods such as butter and coal for transport to nearby Banbridge and Gilford as well as using it as a spot to pull in for the night. The canal operated for over 200 years and provided employment and generated wealth for the towns and villages along its length. However, the growth of the railway industry had disastrous consequences for it, eventually leading to its closure in 1947.
From the visitors centre, turn right and walk along the towpath following the signs to Portadown. While you walk, the Belfast to Dublin railway line will be on your left and the River Cusher on your right. Follow the path onwards passing Terryhoogan lock and finally on to Madden's Bridge. With its original lock gates still intact, Terryhoogan is the 13th lock on the canal and faces Terryhoogan House where John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, is reputed to have stayed in the mid-18th Century. Once at Madden's Bridge you can either leave the towpath or retrace your steps back to Scarva.