Monday 25 April 2016

Bell Harbour Monasterevin, Co. Kildare


St. Evin brought a number of monks with him from his native Munster. This gained the settlement the name Rosglos-na-Moinneach (the green wood of the Munstermen). Saint Evin was politically astute; today he would be called a spin-doctor. He secured special status for the Monasterevin area placing it outside the common law, making it a sanctuary. His famous bell was used for swearing oaths and was much in demand by tribes of the region for guaranteeing peace treaties.
It is from this accoutrement that the canal harbour on the Barrowline was given the name of Bell Harbour.
Bell Harbour

The lift bridge, I was hoping to see the bridge lifted
there were no boats moving that day.


In the second basin are a broadbeam boat and a
narrowboat. Traditionally the Irish canals are much wider than
than those found in the UK and to see a narrowboat moored in the basin
suggests that this boat was imported from the UK.

The first basin up from the lift bridge has two modern plastic cruisers moored within.

A modern estate of luxury flats were built on the gardens that surrounded
this old house.

The Barrowline links the Grand Canal to River Barrow, which is one of Irelands three sister rivers, the Nore and the Suir that rise within a few miles of each other and then meander through the countryside to join up and flow out at Waterford City.

For further information about Irelands canals please view http://www.waterwaysireland.org/Pages/Home.aspx


15 comments:

  1. Having lived on the Thames for 3 years on a Dutch barge, we decided to go on a narrow boat holiday last year in S Wales and thoroughly enjoyed it. We were thinking of going a tad further afield over the next couple of years and Ireland seems a decent choice. Is the canal network there quite extensive?

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    1. Well it is possible to travel by boat from say Waterford or Limerick to Dublin or further via the River Shannon to Lough Erne in Co. Fermanagh. If you are hiring a boat then a lot depends upon what restrictions the company places upon the hirer. I do know that hire boats are not allowed past Killaloe on the river Shannon to Limerick. Having said that there is a lot of water between Killaloe and Lough Erne to play on :)

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    2. Thanks for the info. I loved my last holiday in Ireland, but that was well over 10 years ago and by car (the country roads were a bit ropy then - potholes all over the show between towns).

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    3. Not a lot of difference Bill. The front seat passenger is a pot hole spotter :)
      It seems that we are unable to afford to maintain our roads and yet we can find many millions to build new motorways which makes no sense at all.

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  2. Hi Mel - The St Evin monks and their settlement and then I've also never heard of Offaly ... interesting history about the canals and their development. The new houses look brand new .. but I guess over time will blend with the old one, or vice versa. It looks a lovely development ... but a canal boat holiday would be good ... cheers Hilary

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    1. Thank you for the comments Hilary. I have experienced a few boating holidays in Ireland and the best thing about them to my mind is leaving them and boating on the River and particularly Lough Derg with lots of small harbours on it's banks - real watering holes you know :)

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  3. The lift-bridge could easily be a view in The Fens.

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    1. There are a lot of similarities to be found here in Ireland Rachel :)
      Thank you for leaving a comment.

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  4. What a beautiful place, particularly like the reflections in the water, one to visit!

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    1. Yes, Bell Harbour has a meditative quality and is very a peaceful place to visit.
      Thank you for your comment.

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    2. Hi I lived at bell harbour or harbour view when I was born till 12years old was a fantastic place to live

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  5. What a beautiful place. Is there an extensive canal network in Ireland? Xxx

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    1. Yes pretty good access to most of the country, think perhaps you might click on the link at bottom of blog and see for yourself :) eh ?
      Many thanks for your comments and A Happy May Day to You

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