14th - 19th June. Downstream to St Mullins and back to Graiguenamanagh.

After spending over a week in Graignamanagh, we decided to move on downstream.

Shannon has her top knot in every day now, so that she can see where she is going. A good thing when there are loose boards on the jetty!

She likes to pose and look cute for photographs.

However, the report on this one would say, “Has character” !

Below Lower Tinnahinch Lock is a wonderful place to moor, with a resident kingfisher on the River Barrow here.

Beside Carriglead Lock is this former lock cottage, though cottage is not really the name for it now!

The River Barrow seems to improve all the time, as we wend our way downstream.

At last we have reached the end of our journey, as we approach the lock at St Mullins.

There is just enough length for us to wind here, as we do not plan to go down St Mullins lock. The River Barrow is tidal from this point down to the Celtic Sea, near Waterford. We tucked in on the other side of the winding hole, as there are very few boats moving at all, and we are unlikely to be in the way here.

The place to visit in this area is Mullichain café beside the river at St Mullins, so we walked on for ten minutes below the lock to find it. It is an excellent hostelry.

Shannon enjoys paddling in the river, and doing a woodlouse impression!

Walking on down beyond the cafe, then looking back, Brandon Hill dominates the skyline, behind St Mullichain cafe.

The village of St Mullins lies above the river, and this important monastic site there was founded by St Moling (St Mullin) who was buried here in 697.

The High Cross dates back to the ninth century.

This motte in St Mullins was raised in the twelfth century, when there would have been a wooden fortification built on the top.

The good weather continues, with hardly any stream on the river.

Below St Mullins the water is too low today for anyone to use the lock, as the tide is going out. We are told that 7 rungs on the ladder show a workable water level for this tidal stretch.

Looking back up above the lock, it is nice to see the collection of boats moored here.

Some boats are smarter than others. We liked the flowers and reeds painted on Fionnula Kay.

There is pleasant walking in the woods at St Mullins.

A small fishing boat, with a 60hp engine, joined us in Lower Tinnahinch Lock. What a contrast between the two boats!

Shannon found a comfortable brush head for a pillow, on the roof of The Puzzler.

And it is back up Upper Tinnahinch Lock to return to Graignamanagh.