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Irish Waterways Books & Maps

A selection of books and maps (not for navigation) related to the Irish Inland Waterways

  • Sale!

    Stories of a River

    20.00
    A CELEBRATION OF 50 YEARS OF THE SHANNON BOAT RALLY In 1961, the foresight of a handful of enthusiastic boaters campaigned against what would have been the closure of the Shannon Navigation as we know it today. They encouraged other like-minded individuals to participate in a week long trip of the Shannon from Athlone to Lough Key and so, the Shannon boat rally was born. Many of these pioneers are no longer with us and their boats long gone but the original spirit is still as strong today as on the first day. This book was compiled to honour the work and play of many ralliers over the last 50 years.
  • MY LAGAN LOVE - A Portrait of the River Lagan Text By Ian Hill, Paintings by Gillian Lutton. Hardback. The Lagan may be a small river compared with the great European rivers such as the Rhine or the Danube yet this grey-brown river which sluices through Belfast once created the power to run the mills and foundries, not just of the cities of Belfast and Lisburn, but of every town and village from the mountains to the sea, thus establishing much of the wealth of Ulster. This book treats you to an unrivalled trip to explore the river and surrounding area in the company of leading travel writer Ian Hill and respected watercolourist Gillian Lutton. Stop along the way as Ian shares with you his unique insights on the ecology, geography and history of the Lagan, its famous and sometimes scandalous people, whilst Gillian Lutton’s stunning watercolours reveal to you the hidden treasures to be found around this marvellous stretch of river. 112 pages,  padded hardback 285mm x 210mm x 15mm
  • Lough Erne

    23.25
    Alain Le Garsmeur & Keith Baker In 1776 Richard Twiss compared Lough Erne to Loch Lomond, the Italian Lakes and Lake Geneva. Today Lough Erne still stands up to such comparisons and remains a visitors' paradise. It is also a lough of two parts: the upper lough, with its tangle of inlets and drumlins, and the lower lough, with its corridor of islands and broad expanses of water, almost like inland seas. Between the two is Enniskillen, the heart of the region and a historic, lively and much-Loved town that boasts such attractions as the castle, the Inniskillings' Regimental Museum and Cole's Monument. The book follows the course of the Erne, moving from the upper lough, through Enniskillen to the lower lough. In over 150 stunning photographs, Alain Le Garsmeur captures the beauty of the area in all its different moods, seasons and weathers, from frosty days at the Crom Estate to the spring days when bluebells carpet the shores. Accompanied by Enniskillen-born Keith Baker's informative and engaging words, the photographs tell the story of the lough, from its well-known landmarks such as Devenish, Boa Island and Florence Court to its stunning hidden inlets, moorings and jetties. Lough Erne is an unmissable celebration of life on the water in one of the best-Loved parts of Ireland, perfect for those who want to discover the area, and for those who have already fallen under its spell. Hard Back with dust cover. 144 Pages, 280 x 255 x 16mm
  • This is a fascinating new book by Brian Cassells, entitled ‘By the Shores of Lough Neagh’, published by Cottage Publications. In it, Brian explores the history and people of the Lough in great depth, illustrating his journey around the Lough with a superb collection of photographs. Starting at his childhood home in the Montiaghs, in the southern Lough Neagh wetlands, Brian takes the reader on a tour through the history of the Lough, its people and its industry. Many long forgotten nuggets of information are gleaned along the way. The vital role the Lough and its shoreline played in the Second World War, which led to the development of Aldergrove International Airport; its role as the hub of the waterway network for the Newry, Coalisland and Lagan canals, with the Upper and Lower Bann navigation's delivering barges to the Lough Neagh Basin; the evolution of local fishing practices into what is now the largest commercial wild eel fisher in Europe and the endurance of the sand extraction industry are all recounted in Brian’s authoritative narrative. Brian Cassells is the Chairman of the Lough Neagh Advisory Committee and was President of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland from 2005 to 2007. He is currently Chairman of the local museum committee where he has embarked on an ambitious plan to establish a waterways museum at Oxford Island.
  • “BOOK ON THE BANN WITH A GREAT FLOWING STYLE AND SUPERB WATERCOLOURS” Brian Cassells, the former President of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland has teamed up with his old friend Brian Courtney, a retired journalist to produce a well written and informative text which blends perfectly with the superb watercolours of Gillian Lutton, a renowned local artist. The book takes us on a geographical and historical trip from the source of the Upper Bann among the picturesque Mourne mountains, right to the Bannfoot where the river enters Lough Neagh, calling en route in places like Hilltown, Rathfriland, Banbridge Gilford, Lurgan and Portadown. The text leaves the course of the river from time to time to inform us of interesting places such as Tandragee and Loughgall. There is great historic detail about the linen trade which was once so prominent along the Upper Bann, but which has long since faded into history. A beautiful hardback book that will grace anyone's collection of waterways volumes for many years
  • Published by IWAI Athlone Branch in 1979 to celebrate the first 25 years of the Athlone Branch. Contains information about the history of the branch up to that point, the events that took place and other information. The book contains many interesting photos of people, vessels and events from the period. Paperback, 72 pages, black & white, 240x180x5mm. These books are unused but have been in storage for many years and so are not in perfect condition.
  • Out of stock
    Water, Wind and Wood - A Memoir - by Reggie Goodbody. Reggie Goodbody grew up in isolation beside Lough Derg during the war before moving to live on a boat for 2 1/2 years. Education required a move to Dublin before moving to England to work in the timber trade. Returning to Dublin in 1960 he worked in a wooden box factory and saw mills. In 1979 he set up his own boatyard in with his wife Hjordis in Portumna, building and repairing yachts and motor cruisers. This memoir tells stories of old boats and entertaining characters on the Shannon, restoring a steam boat, a Pucan, a wooden Dragon and making a very fast barrel back launch. A lifetime sailing on the lakes and at sea, making scale models and half-hulls, violins, and restoring a water clock to name a few projects as well as building and restoring several houses. His involvement with Newtown School, Waterford and Lough Derg Yacht Club, Industrial Heritage, Photography, his two sons and his dogs produce many entertaining reminiscences. Over 150 photographs, 200 Pages, Hardback.
  • Out of stock
    For over thirty years the re-opening of the Ulster Canal has been the passionate dream of historian and waterways expert Brian Cassells, so come with him now on a stroll along the banks of the Ulster Canal through the pages of this book to learn of its history, the traumas of its inception, the struggles of its 90 year commercial life leading to its closure and the exciting prospects of what a rejuvenated Ulster Canal could become. 108Pages, Hardback 216x220x15mm.
  • Bernadette Cunningham & Harman Murtagh, editors. Combining archaeology, historical geography, history and literature, this book explores the settlement history of Lough Ree through the centuries. Themes include place-names, mythology and literature, the architecture and context of ecclesiastical and secular buildings on the islands and surrounding shores, demesne landscapes, boating on the lake and modern island living. These authoritative studies of key themes associated with the historic settlement of this lake land region are a valuable resource to inform future work on the heritage landscape of Lough Ree and the River Shannon. The book is part of a successful series of thematic essay collections produced by the Group for the Study of Irish Historic Settlement. Hardback. 264 Pages. 240x165x22mm.

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