The Waters and the Wild: The Trials and Tranquilities of a Journey on Ireland's Waterways

by Gwen Wilkinson

Irish artist Gwen Wilkinson’ s fascinating, fun adventures travelling the length of Ireland in a self-built canoe. Beautifully illustrated with the artist’ s striking lino and woodcut prints. Highlights include the celebration of women who have left their mark on the Irish landscape.

Genres: Ireland, Nonfiction

252 pages, Paperback

Published June 29, 2023

Reviews

[Sin C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, romantic book that enthralled me thoroughly. Loved it.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. Equal parts romantic and realistic, Gwen doesn't shy away from describing the shitty, rainy days out on the water, but also paints a beautiful picture of the good days that makes me want to buy a kayak and follow her journey. There are lots of lovely historical anecdotes and legends scattered here & there, as well as lots of appreciation for nature (and birds, my beloved!). Great read!!

[Clint · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a must-read if you are planning a canoe trip in Ireland.

[Niall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gwen Wilkinson is an artist and sculptor who loves boats and sailing. She was at a loss when an injury prevented her from working; then friends introduced her to kayaking. This motivated her to explore Ireland’s canals and rivers on a solo trip. Raised on legends of ancient voyages, she put her skills to use in building her own kayak. Gwen was inspired by women pioneers such as Audrey Sutherland who paddled her canoe all over the world. Audrey’s motto was “Go simple, go slow, go now”. In the "Waters and the Wild" Gwen tells the story of paddling her kayak from Lough Erne in the northwest of Ireland to the Barrow estuary in the southeast – a journey of about 400 kilometres.

On her trip she visits deserted islands and (mostly) quiet shores, recalls myths and legends and is fascinated by nature. While describing the pleasures of being alone on the water she does not flinch from describing the difficulties from portaging her canoe, bad weather and the risks she feels as a solo female traveller. She is a keen naturalist and weaves her observations with social history. For example, while watching great crested grebes swimming on a lake, she recalls how they were nearly hunted to extinction for their plumage which was used to adorn Victorian ladies’ hats. Women campaigned against the plumage trade which led to act of Parliament and the eventual founding of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

This and many similar anecdotes make her account of her journey a fascinating read.