The Edenderry branch of the Grand Canal was started in 1797 mainly due to the efforts of the 2nd Lord Downshire in persuading the Canal Company to bring the line to the town. The branch and harbour were not completed until 1802 at a total cost of £692 and was financed by Lord Downshire. This scenic quay leads into Edenderry's main thoroughfare, JKL Street, terminating with a squared-off harbour surrounded by a limestone wall. The building of a canal through the bog presented unique engineering problems not previously encountered due to subsidence and the difficulties in getting stability of the canal banks to retain water. A range of construction techniques were employed which resulted in high earth embankments along the stretch of canal south of the town, which was to be a constant source of problems from day one.
The harbour is still in use today with many mooring points along the quay wall. In its heyday the Edenderry branch of the Grand Canal was vital to the local community and facilitating boats, both commercial and tourist alike, provided an important social link with other waterways around Ireland. The canal was instrumental to the development of Edenderry itself as much of the materials used in the construction of many of the town's fine houses were transported here on the canal. Nearby, you can even see the old weighing scales that was used to measure goods. Whilst no longer functional, it is still a wonderful piece of history.