Two Canal Updates

Firstly, Sheila's Aunt Carol Ann sent a message reminding me of what she learned about the canal system while she was here:

"Enjoyed reading about the canals around Dublin. The driver who took us to Birr Castle started our tour at Shannon Harbour, which is where the Grand Canal starts its journey to Dublin and where many pleasure boats park, as it is cheaper than at Athlone. He showed us the first of many locks and how it worked; they are all hand-operated, mostly by the boater since there are very few lock operators. Online I found that there are 43 locks (first up and then down) from Shannon Harbour to Dublin."

Thanks Carol Ann!

Secondly, I forgot to mention this great online book about a man (Jim Murray a "member of IWAI, a serial rallier, reveler, guitarist, ballad singer, walker, and all-round good guy") who, as an "autumn project" decided to walk the currently intact 90 miles of the Royal Canal in stages.

Check out his description of the trip. Here are a few lovely comments:

"Loved the Brendan Behan statue, close to his old him in Russell Street."  

"Explored the 100 ft. path to the  spooky tunnel below the Ryewater Aqueduct; must have been a huge undertaking in those pick-and-shovel days."

"Coolnahay was a picturesque harbor, with three cruisers. Towpath showed vast improvement as I reached the first of the down locks. At the 29th lock, there's a picturesque garden and extended lock-house--Mrs Hornidge, who greeted us warmly at 1999 Wilderness Rally. Although the house seemed deserted, I learned later the lady is still in residence, possibly away in England."

"At last a bit stiff and sore, but suitably elated, I arrived at the far more familiar surroundings of Richmond Harbour, with a copule of pints and a sandwich served in the Richmond Inn by the personable Niamh, daughter of Des McPartland."