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Feeding the Monster

(from Ireland’s Waterways)

Unfortunately, the 2020 boating season subsequent years the vast majority of the system generated an amount of
is completely on hold so I will again have these boats were sold and converted into interest as it made its way through the
to rely on the past for this article. I am house boats and either lived on or used Irish countryside. The total length of the
sure you have guessed by now that I am for leisure cruising. A few were even canal is 161km with thirty-six locks each
passionate about the surviving old canal pressed into service in a growing tourist climbing 3m on average. Six of the locks
working boats of Ireland and anything industry. As the years passed all of the were “doubles” (two chambers) which
to do with their history. Nineteen available bare hulls were acquired and added spice to working the two hundred-
years ago, at this very time in the year, converted which meant owners had in year-old canal system. The four barges
a trip was in progress by four of these their possession a rare piece of transport were all originally built to suit the Grand
venerable ladies to launch the Heritage history. The surviving barges were a Canal, so they fit comfortably in the lock
Boat Association at the World Canal mixture of originally steam driven boats, chambers and also through bridges and
Conference being held in Dublin, Ireland former horse drawn boats and motorised aqueducts.
in May 2001. The voyage along the Grand boats built in the early years of the
Canal was undertaken in the shadow twentieth century. We were joined by three more old canal
of a “foot and mouth” disease outbreak boats on the outskirts of the city (36.M,
which threatened to curtail travel in The four barges making the trip to 54.M and Snark) and faced a difficult
the countryside that Spring. Over the Dublin were two ex-horse boats Dabu final weekend of navigation difficulty
previous couple of years meetings were (1878) and 4.E (1895) along with two and some anti-social attention from
arranged to form the association and motorised boats 35.M (1926) and 68.M teenagers. Relaxing in the centre of the
hopefully give the owners of old canal (1936). The trip began on the thirteenth city for a fortnight was the highlight
boats a voice and to share information of April 2001 when the River Shannon of course amongst the large fleet of
and experience. based boats gathered and entered the boats gathered for the World’s Canal
Grand Canal at Shannon Harbour for Conference. Our association was
We have over seventy original Irish built this momentous trip to Dublin. The officially launched by a government
canal boats surviving at this point in time journey was undertaken over weekends minister on a very wet evening followed
along with some English and Dutch built and arrival in Dublin was planned for by a suitable reception for guests and
boats the oldest being from the eighteen May 13th. Since Summer weed growth supporters. The barges had to be turned
forties. Commercial trading ceased on was not an issue and water levels were for the return journey of course, and a
our inland waterways in nineteen sixty good during a typically wet Irish Spring, meeting was arranged with the water
with the youngest of the boats dating progress was excellent. This unusually authority’s engineers to plan an easier
from a couple of decades before that. In large group of old canal boats travelling passage out of the city and return to the
River Shannon. Following a successful
trip out of Dublin, the fleet again settled
into the routine of navigating the canal
on successive weekends. We were now
classified as conquering heroes and were
treated to locally organised barbecues
throughout the trip

On Sunday, June 17th, 2001 the four
barges sailed into Shannon Harbour
together and this epic voyage finally drew
to a conclusion. The crews of course had
enjoyed a voyage together which was
unique at the time and gave us amazing
memories to treasure for a lifetime. The
people who travelled with us along the
way and looked after the boats between
weekends will not be forgotten. The old
timers who constantly turned up along
the canal bank to tell tales of the trading
days, got as much joy at watching us
travel the canal as we got from again

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