One of the defining elements of Belmullet is the canal that has been cut to connect Broadhaven and Blacksod bays. In fact, it’s the reason Sir Arthur Shaen founded the town in 1715.
Connecting the two bays provided the British Navy a shortcut around the Mullet when pursuing area pirates (which were probably fisherman from the Inishkea Islands when the fishing haul wasn’t enough to provide for their families).
The original canal location was quite different from today’s. It connected an unnamed creak north of the town with the natural end of Broadhaven bay by Tallagh House (probably the most photographed house in all of Belmullet!)
During the Great Famine, as part of the failed “Work for Your Food You Lazy Irishmen” program, it was decided to rebuild the canal so that it ran parallel to the town’s Main Street. The project wasn’t finished until six years later in 1851 because it’s hard to get an honest day’s work out of a starving, dying population. But I digress…
It’s impossible to imagine the town of Belmullet without its iconic canal. Yet if you’re not paying attention, you’ll drive right over without seeing it!
