Many, many years ago in the Barony of Caher there existed an amazing well that sprang from deep within the earth. It was known throughout the Slieve Aughtys for the purity and clarity of its water, the cool, sweetness of its taste and its ability to quench any thirst at any itme. The people of
Lickeen Lough is a 250-acre freshwater lake in The Burren Co. Clare. Approximately 3km from both Ennistymon and Kilfenora. Stocked with Brown Trout and home to the endangered European Eel. During the drought of 2018, previously unseen rock showed that the lake was formed 300 million years ago. I interviewed residents Fionnula and Fiachra Swann
This story has been passed down four generations to me! One sunny evening, in the early 1940’s as the sun was setting, my great grandmother set out to do her daily chores on the farm. She walked through the rough grazing grounds to come to the nearby lake called Trusk Lough, it is situated outside
O Wise old Owl, the smartest one You are smarter than- everyone! That large brain book, Intelligent in every look, Is even larger than the sun! That is what the Wise Old Owl sang to himself every morning. Until this one. He had just spotted the juiciest mouse in the world. So, he picked him
The Broadmeadow river curls around the centre of Ashbourne, Co. Meath, injecting a beautiful, ever-moving, natural entity into the urban backdrop of my home town. The river has been abused by pollution in the past, but has now been rejuvenated to a state of good health; perfect for plants and animals to flourish. One of
Flowing beautifully and calmly through Mullingar for over 200 years, the Royal Canal is a great reminder to us of Irish innovation, engineering and good old hard work and graft. No longer a hive of commercial and business activity on the banks, the waterway is a valuable source of leisurely recreation for locals off the
The South Down area can boast many splendid natural attractions for visitors and residents alike. I was aware of many of these before moving there several decades ago but one was a delightful surprise when I discovered it less than a mile from my home. The Donaghaguy Reservoir – or The Waterworks to locals –
Gollierstown Bridge was peaceful as I rested. Suddenly, another joined me, and spoke: “I remember the boats on the canal. The Grand Canal. Oh yes, it went from Portabella to Ballinasloe in the finish. The first cut was at Clondalkin. 1780. To Sallins. The boats? Longer than ye’d imagine: first one, 17 metres you’d call
I was taken by surprise when I took a detour to have a look at the weir of my childhood – a feature of my 7 or 8-year-old summer. The weir of my memory had high riverbanks that needed a dangle by the arms and drop from the bank to get to the concrete, landing
Once upon a time, the Mountmellick branch of the Grand Canal was a hive of activity, channelling brimming barges and their solid equine companions from Monasterevin, Athy and beyond. Today, the amputated waterway bustles with other colourful creatures. Stretches of it echo Kavanagh’s “leafy with love”, while elsewhere cold cement roadways have ceased its life
Lough Talt is a beautiful lake located about 12km west of Tubbercurry. The lake is used for the town’s water supply and over the past few years has become embroiled in a battle between the water supply need’s of the town and the habitat needs of a small snail which inhabits the lake’s shoreline. The
There is a pond in Carriglea Shanballymore about 4km from my home and I was delighted when a pair of swans came to make their home there in the spring. They have been coming there for a number of years. They made a nest and the Pen which is a female swan laid 6 eggs