Thanks to Claire and Kathleen for leading a great walk yesterday-they even managed to organise perfect weather. It was fantastic to see so many people out, especially so many new members. Our walk followed a section of the Hymany Way along the old towpath of the Ballinasloe Line, a branch of the Grand Canal, before re-joining the road at Pollboy. The gorse was blooming and the birds, including a pair of herons, were, like ourselves, making the most of a very early Spring. Our enthusiasm was buoyed early on by Liam and Jim, who greatly added to the walk by showing us the remains of an early 19th century aqueduct- where the Canal crossed the Cloonascragh River- and a fantastic example of a lime kiln.
Inspired by our guides, I did a little research on the area, which I hope you don't mind me sharing with you. The Ballinasloe Line extended from Shannon Harbour to Ballinasloe, a distance of 23.3 kms or 14½ miles. It was built between 1824 and 1828 at a cost of £43485, with an additional £2769 for a wooden bridge across the Shannon. It had two locks: Fanning's Lock, located at Shannon Harbour and Kylemore Lock, about 4 kms south-east of where we started the walk yesterday. During its lifetime the Ballinasloe Line contributed hugely to the economy of the town. It was closed in 1961 and is no longer navigable largely as a result of the construction of the M6 motorway. The aqueduct over the Cloonascragh River which Jim showed us yesterday is one of two on the Line-the second is located at the old Kylemore Lock. The double-arched aqueduct is built of local limestone. Sadly, this neglected piece of Ballinasloe's industrial heritage is obscured by dense vegetation and unless you were aware of it, you'd pass it by without thought.
The lime kiln is located a little further along the towpath. Although many survive from around the country, the large kiln in Cloonascragh is a very fine example. Constructed from cut limestone and red brick, it is likely to date from the late 19th or early 20th century. It's marked on the 25 inch Ordnance Survey map dated to between 1888-1913. Two gravel pits are also marked on the same map just to the West of it, which may have been the source for the raw material. As our informative guides told us yesterday, the structure was essentially a large chimney where limestone was burnt or to produce quicklime, a versatile mineral mainly used for building, although it was also commonly used as a disinfectant and spread on land to reduce soil acidity and improve structure.
As enjoyable as the walk was yesterday, it served to remind us of the resources that we have in Ballinasloe. Over a distance of less than 10 kms, we experienced the pleasure of walking along a peaceful canal towpath between river and bog. We were delighted and amazed to have our attention drawn to what remains of our local industrial heritage. If that didn't float your (canal) boat, the species-rich wetland environment had to be seen to be believed. Although the Line closed in 1961 and is now in a very neglected state, how difficult would it be to repair the sins of the past and enhance the experience of the Hymany Way, with an emphasis on our locality. Would it be so difficult to erect some discreet information boards to let people know about the historic canal and the attendant structures and the diversity of flora and fauna to be found there? Walking has become hugely popular in the last few years and this could be a fantastic introduction to the town.
References
Delany, R. 1973 The Grand Canal of Ireland. Published by David and Charles, Newton Abbott.
www.osi.ie
Thanks to Claire for this pic.
Listening to Liam at the limekiln in Cloonascragh.
Inspired by our guides, I did a little research on the area, which I hope you don't mind me sharing with you. The Ballinasloe Line extended from Shannon Harbour to Ballinasloe, a distance of 23.3 kms or 14½ miles. It was built between 1824 and 1828 at a cost of £43485, with an additional £2769 for a wooden bridge across the Shannon. It had two locks: Fanning's Lock, located at Shannon Harbour and Kylemore Lock, about 4 kms south-east of where we started the walk yesterday. During its lifetime the Ballinasloe Line contributed hugely to the economy of the town. It was closed in 1961 and is no longer navigable largely as a result of the construction of the M6 motorway. The aqueduct over the Cloonascragh River which Jim showed us yesterday is one of two on the Line-the second is located at the old Kylemore Lock. The double-arched aqueduct is built of local limestone. Sadly, this neglected piece of Ballinasloe's industrial heritage is obscured by dense vegetation and unless you were aware of it, you'd pass it by without thought.
The lime kiln is located a little further along the towpath. Although many survive from around the country, the large kiln in Cloonascragh is a very fine example. Constructed from cut limestone and red brick, it is likely to date from the late 19th or early 20th century. It's marked on the 25 inch Ordnance Survey map dated to between 1888-1913. Two gravel pits are also marked on the same map just to the West of it, which may have been the source for the raw material. As our informative guides told us yesterday, the structure was essentially a large chimney where limestone was burnt or to produce quicklime, a versatile mineral mainly used for building, although it was also commonly used as a disinfectant and spread on land to reduce soil acidity and improve structure.
As enjoyable as the walk was yesterday, it served to remind us of the resources that we have in Ballinasloe. Over a distance of less than 10 kms, we experienced the pleasure of walking along a peaceful canal towpath between river and bog. We were delighted and amazed to have our attention drawn to what remains of our local industrial heritage. If that didn't float your (canal) boat, the species-rich wetland environment had to be seen to be believed. Although the Line closed in 1961 and is now in a very neglected state, how difficult would it be to repair the sins of the past and enhance the experience of the Hymany Way, with an emphasis on our locality. Would it be so difficult to erect some discreet information boards to let people know about the historic canal and the attendant structures and the diversity of flora and fauna to be found there? Walking has become hugely popular in the last few years and this could be a fantastic introduction to the town.
References
Delany, R. 1973 The Grand Canal of Ireland. Published by David and Charles, Newton Abbott.
www.osi.ie
Thanks to Claire for this pic.
Listening to Liam at the limekiln in Cloonascragh.
