A selection of books and maps (not for navigation) related to the Irish Inland Waterways
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67.M, The Story of a Barge by Charlie Dunn This beautifully bound 202pg book takes you through the 80 something year history of one of Irelands heritage barges. It covers the construction and history of the vessel as well as its life as a working boat and the men who lived and worked on her. Charlie's journey with 67.M began in 1992 and he walks you through his triumphs and challenges in an honest account of what its like to convert a heritage barge, sell it, and then buy it back again. This book contains many stories and tales of times gone by as well as some of the practical knowledge Charlie has gained over the years. A comprehensive history of one boats journey on the Inland Waterways. Book is a hardback leather bound, A4 size -
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. -
“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 -
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. -
Cool Metal – Clear Water – 2nd Edition. Fully revised and enlarged edition of the very popular history of the trading boats (and some others!) of the Irish inland waterways system. Originally published by the Heritage Boat Association in 2006 the book records the history of many of the historic vessels still to be seen travelling our inland waterways. There is also an index of the boats whose details appear in this volume and the companion volume “Fine Lines – Clear Water”. Published by the Heritage Boat Association. 218 Pages 209x151x14mm. Full Colour. Paperback. -
Driftwood: From the Shannon to the Marne - By Harry Sheehy This is the wonderful adventure story of a boat called Driftwood. It's not a trip to the North Pole or a climb to the peak of Mount Everest. This is the every man's adventure. It is within the of all of us to go on a voyage of this kind and it is that fact that makes Driftwood such a compelling read. After spending three years planning this trip the author grabs the bull by the horns and with no real idea what he is doing he points the sharp end of his boat out into the Atlantic Ocean. Some days things go well and some days they don't but every day is an adventure. The story is told with humor and with humility The crew of Driftwood have to grapple with bad weather, engine trouble as well as the occasional bad pint of Guinness. After crossing the Celtic Sea and the Channel they enter the French Inland Waterways and the true adventure really begins. Harry describes the characters he met along the way in his own gripping style. -
EAST OF IRELAND WALKS - ON RIVER AND CANAL - A Walking Guide by Lenny Antonelli. Like secret highways, Ireland's rivers and canals wind their way through undiscovered parts of the country that are rich in wildlife, history and folklore. Walking our little used waterside trails reveals hidden threads of wilderness through rural and urban Ireland, rich in flora and fauna, and uncovers remnants of a time when life in Ireland revolved around its waterways rather than its roads. This guide introduces some of the best river and canal trails in Leinster, from short strolls to long day-hikes, and one multi-day trek. It features deep wooded valleys in Wicklow, the big rivers of the south-east, old canals that criss-cross the midlands, and suburban rivers in Dublin. With an eye out for wildlife, the author describes these walking routes by Ireland's rivers and Canal, while recounting local history and offering practical advice for walkers. Whether you are new to hiking in Ireland or an experienced walker, these new and less-trodden paths will bring you to places of unexpected beauty. 128 Pages. Paperback. Full colour. 198x127x8mm -
Fine Lines - Clear Water is the second book published by the Heritage Boat Association documenting the floating heritage of Ireland's inland waterways. It complements the earlier publication Cool Metal - Clear Water. It covers a range of historic craft found on the Irish waterways including Irish built working boats, Dutch & English barges, Flying Boat Tenders and a number of pleasure boats. It also contains a very useful index to both volumes. -
First published in 1949, Green & Silver by L.T.C. Rolt describes a journey through the inland waterways of Ireland. He takes us over the mighty Shannon from the upper limit of navigation at the little village of Battlebridge, near Leitrim down to Lough Derg of the islands and storms. With him we travel on the Grand Canal across the curlew-haunted solitude's of the great Bog of Allen down to Dublin's Ringsend Docks and returning to the Shannon via the majestic Royal Canal. Rolt in his inimitable style paints a picture of an Ireland that has all but disappeared and very different to the Ireland of today. The Royal Canal closed a few short years after his journey and fell into a state of neglect and decay. However as a result of the Trojan efforts of some very dedicated people, the Royal Canal reopened to navigation in late 2010. Once again it is possible to follow in the wake of Rolt and while the towns and villages of his day have changed greatly, the waterways have remained the same. While not everybody will have the time or resources to enjoy the pleasures of slow boat travel along these incredibly beautiful waterways, reading Green and Silver with its descriptive prose is an excellent substitute. It is the classic book of the Irish Waterways and will appeal to the armchair traveler, boater, social historian and anyone with an interest in the history off our Irish canals. This edition published 2015 by The Canal Bookshop with a forward by Tim Rolt. Soft Cover, 237pages 240x185x16mm -
Historic Killaloe - A Guide to its Antiquities by Sean Kierse. First published 1983, this edition 2001. A short guide to the built heritage of the Historic Town of Killaloe and it's environs including St Flannan's Cathederal, Kincora and the Graves of the Leinstermen. 46 Pages, Fully illustrated in B&W with colour cover. 210 x 146 x 3mm.
