April to July 2012. Update on our route on the Waterway Maps of Ireland.

In 2012 we left Enniskillen in April and went to the south through Upper Lough Erne.Turning westwards, we then crossed over to the Shannon on the Shannon-Erne Waterway. At Leitrim it was a detour to the north to visit Lough Allen. We missed this desolate, but attactive, lough last year as the weather was never suitable when we were passing. Next it was on to Lough Key, with a visit to Boyle again, before continuing on down The River Shannon.

Our original plan this year was to go on to The Royal Canal at Richmond Harbour, and do a there and back trip along the Royal, but not go into Dublin. However there was currently a water shortage on the summit level of the Royal Canal, so it was closed to navigation. Because of this we headed on southwards, through Lough Ree, with a trip up the River Inny and on past Athlone. At Shannon Harbour we joined the Grand Canal to go eastwards towards Dublin, planning to turn back at lock 12, and then go to see the River Barrow, before returning along the Grand Canal to the Shannon. We managed to go down the River Barrow for about a third of its length before having to turn back, due to too much water in the river. The plan now is to complete the Grand Canal to Dublin, then return to the Shannon on the Royal Canal.

Keshcarrigan to Leitrim 5th - 7th July

The markers have changed to red and black for the Shannon, so this black barrel came in handy as a seagull perch.

We moved on to Keshcarrigan, a pleasant mooring a little further along the Shannon-Erne Waterway. We made sure to moor alongside the harbour wall this time, so that Catkin did not have to walk up the metal walkway. She either has to be carried, or else has to wear her boots, neither of which are much fun!

This family of swans came to see us. They were not put off by the rain!

Part of the summit level, beyond Lough Scur, had to be hewn out of the rock for this cutting.

After the summit level, there are eight locks on the descent to the River Shannon at Leitrim. Here The Puzzler is descending Dumdruff Lock. Not too much water leaking through the top gates!

Below Tirmactiernan Lock there is quite a strong by-flow.

However, it did not cause Andy and The Puzzler any problems!

We stayed in Leitrim for two nights, due to heavy rain. We had been expecting a county town of some size here, but it was smaller than Hingham, in Norfolk. We were pleased to meet Sean Murphy, who wrote The Shannon Skipper, which is a very informative book about the river.

Rosscore to Devenish. 14th to 21st May

We spent the next four days at Rosscor amidst the wind and rain. These families of goslings were introduced to the water at a dry moment.

On Tuesday we set off at 5am. It was just light enough to see the markers leading us out onto the Broad Lough, and rain was threatening. There was a slight southwesterly breeze, but stronger winds were forecast for later today, and for most of the week.

At first, we could see the famous Cliffs of Magho. (Lightened here so that you can see them in all their splendour!)

However, as we progressed along the south side of the Broad Lough, the cloud came down to cover the cliff tops, and we could also see torrential rain falling, on the north side of the lough, but fortunately it bypassed us.

Ten miles of open water seemed much further than that! We were relieved to reach Tully Castle mooring by 6-45am. There were two cruisers on the mooring, but there was plenty of room for us.
We walked through the woods to visit Tully Castle. This castle was built in 1613, but was then attacked and burnt in 1641. The herb garden is contained within a maze of hedges, in front of the castle.

There is not a lot to see through the windows!

Tully Castle mooring is very sheltered, with calm water, but these waves were rolling in, just round the corner.

We had a busy day on Thursday, first going round the headland into Tully Bay to fill up with water at the Carrickcraft hire base there. Our water tank was nearly empty, having wanted to keep the bows up for the journey along the Broad Lough. Then it was on a short sail to Drumcrow jetty for a walk along the bay. After lunch we sailed on to the southeast to Inishmacsaint Island. This is a very bleak mooring.

We walked up the hill to see Inishmacsaint Church and the Celtic Cross there.

Andy and Catkin went for a closer look at the Celtic cross, which dates from the 6th century.

The wind was now getting up, and the Inishmacsaint mooring is very exposed, so we carried on down the lough. Catkin was unimpressed at having to put her lifejacket on yet again! We sailed round Ross Point and into Cammagh Bay, a delightful secluded mooring, although it became quite windy overnight there.

Next day we sailed round to Carrickreagh, which is sheltered by islands, from the main lough. There is good walking there in the woods, up to a viewpoint over the lough.

It gives a wonderful view over the lake.

Strong winds being forecast for the next few days, we sailed back to Devenish Island on Saturday evening at 8pm. We passed the Lough Erne golfcourse, which was designed by Nick Faldo. The annual subscription here is £25,000.

The sky was very pretty on the way.

It took an hour to get to Devenish west mooring, in time to see a super sunset.

Belleek to Rosscor 9th - 14th May

We spent several days in Belleek, waiting for the wind to drop, so had time to see everything. Belleek is a border town, with the main part of the town being in Northern Ireland. It is not far from the Atlantic Ocean.

Sally is ready for our bike ride to visit the coast.

Belleek is only six miles from Ballyshannon harbour at Mall Quay, which used to be a thriving harbour, many years ago. Both sailing and steam ships came from Europe and the Americas. Timber, coal, coke, iron, slate, wine and china clay were imported while wool, leather and salted fish were exported during the great famine. Emigrants left from here for the New World.

This estuary leads out into Donegal Bay on the Atlantic Ocean. Andy is enjoying the sea air.

We cycled there along a really pretty back lane. We faced the wind on the way there, so it was an easy ride back. We passed this typical Irish bungalow, painted white, with a large lawn, but no flowerbeds. This seems to be the norm.

Belleek is at the end of navigation on the River Erne. The river bridge here is the border between North and South Ireland and is on the Donegal Corridor, along the River Erne, as used by the Flying Boats in the Second World War.


Yesterday a cruiser came into the harbour, so Sally asked them what the waves had been like on the Broad Lough. "Not too bad," was the reply. "Waves were only one metre." ONLY one metre? We do not plan to move just yet!

Belleek is well known for the Belleek Pottery, which is just north of the town bridge. We took the tour round the works and found it very interesting.






On Friday we moved round to the ex-hire base, which is nearer to the main road. Having bought a 20 litre plastic container, Andy was able to go to the garage for diesel. He was lent another container and also a wheelbarrow, which made it easier. This is the most economical way of getting diesel over here in Ireland.

We are still waiting for suitable weather to return to the other end of the Broad Lough, but decided to go nearer to the Lough itself. It was a lovely afternoon, with a following wind.

We sailed about three miles up River Erne to moor at Rosscor jetty, which is a delightful mooring not too far from the main lough. It is in an inlet off the main river, so is quite sheltered.