Goodly Barrow: A Voyage on an Irish River

by T.F. O'Sullivan

This long-unavailable classic charts the history and character of Ireland's second longest river, the Barrow, in the southeast corner of the country. The charming narrative embraces legend and song, literature and anecdote, viewing Irish history through the prism of this waterway.

282 pages, Paperback

First published November 20, 2001

Reviews

[Adrian Fingleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot. I grew up on the banks of the barrow navigation canal just north of Grangemellon, which features in the book. So I have always had a soft spot for books about this interesting river. The author tells us a lot about the history of the various towns and townlands the river flows through. I guess I'd have preferred if he had focused a bit more on the modern era, when so much commerce was centered on the river and the navigation canals and Guinness in particular benefited from the grain hauled up to the brewery.

I liked the connection to Patrick Kavanagh and the inscription on the seat near Baggot Street bridge which commemorates - among other things - barges from Athy (MY town). It's always been one of my favourite poems. I do hope next year to revisit some parts of the river and try to explore the 'bottom end' around St Mullins, which is supposed to be really beautiful. I liked this book, but a bit more modernity, and less about the 5th century barbarians of Co Laois would have suited me just fine. A good read though, and I'd say for boatmen even more special.