Ferns' Lock - about 3 Km west of Kilcock, Co. Kildare.

A really fine example of a lock system on the Royal Canal. "Fern's lock" (local reference to the area) consists of the Canal lock station (pair of locks), left hand turn road bridge (to Summerhill) over the Royal canal and partially restored remains of the lock keeper's house. A bitterly cold February day makes the photographs look a little gloomy. Will return in summer to update this collectio,

There is an automated railway level crossing adjacent to the Lock.

The Lock (Number 17) marks the begining of "The Long Level" - the 32 kilometer stretch until the next lock gate at Thomastown, Killucan, Co. Westmeath.

Walkers wishing to access Kilcock (from Enfield direction) must use the left bank. Walkers wishing to access Enfield from Kilcock must also use the left bank (switching sides further down at Cloncurry). Whils't the Canal Bank from Ferns' Lock to Kilcock is in good condition the bank to Enfield is more rugged. The bank cutting is very narrow in places making it difficult for machinery to maintain the bank grass etc. This is probably OK in summer but makes for wet and murky conditions in Winter.