This is a short but pretty loop that we did on our way to the Fleadh Cheoil in Mullingar. It is the next section of the Royal Canal that we did from Darcys Bridge during Covid. It is also part of the Famine Way which follows the route to the Dublin port by those evicted from their homes in Strokestown during the Great Famine.
We start in the car park at Thomastown opposite Nanny Quinns landmark pub. This locale was originally called Ballinakedagh. It wasn’t known for much apart from being the home of a fairyman (a mediator between humans and fairies) and a woman who had the cure of the burn.
This all changed in 1805 when the canal was dug between Dublin and Longford. Overnight it became a bustling 19th century transport hub. Locks were dug to rise the water level up towards Mullingar. Harbour buildings were built. Butter, eggs, potatoes, corn and even pigs were loaded on and off here. The paths either side of the canal were for horses to pull barges. They also pulled flyboats, which were long narrow boats that transported people at the ungodly speed of six miles per hour. Flyboats had four horses and the horses were changed every ten miles. They were much cheaper than stagecoaches. All the locks and harbour buildings in the area were planned by an engineer called Thomas and this was why the name changed. Change kept happening and 50 years later the Dublin – Sligo railway line opened, making Thomastown as relevant as Ballinakedagh.
There are four locks from Thomastown to Riverstown Bridge so there is plenty to look at if you like canal engineering. We are just happy to be back out walking through countryside under blue skies. The blackberries are out so we sample these as we walk.
We cross the bridge at Riverstown and turn right. We leave the grass bank and join a narrow road that hangs a 90 degree bend we have to be careful on. Two cars pass us. We take the next right and turn onto a wonderful boreen through a townland called Grehanstown. As soon as we start up this quiet road, a huge buzzard comes swooping off a low branch and flies across our path. We watch it cross the field beside us and then it flies back again. We walk on, just enjoying the wild feel of the place and the contrast between the vibrant green grass and the light blue skies.
The road brings us to another junction and we turn right again, this time into Cushinstown. From here we can see the housing estates of Rathwire and Killucan in the distance. The landscape appears more formal as we approach civilisation. We pass big houses and restored cottages and spend our time discussing where to retire if we ever win the lotto before finally meeting the main Killucan – Thomastown road. We had walked this way during Covid times. Going the other way, but still. This was the busiest part of the route. The road is twisty and has no footpaths so we have to be careful of traffic on the bends. It is worth it to see a wonderful wild flower garden that wasn’t in bloom the last time we passed this way.
Google Maps: 53.496126, -7.127358
Distance: 4.85 km
Time: 1.5 hour
Type of walk: Grass trail, boreen, roadway.
Views: Canal and farmland
Animals: Cows, sheep, buzzards
Score : 7/10
If anyone has anymore information about the route please add them in the comments below.
