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Graiguenamanagh: a picturesque Irish town

by Norman Darlo June 20, 2017, 3:13 pm 338 Views 20 Votes 17 Comments

Graiguenamanagh is a picturesque inland town, about an hour’s drive from where I live in Ireland. It is located in the foothills of the Blackstairs mountains, on the River Barrow, where a bridge links counties Kilkenny and Carlow. The river is partly canalised and there is quite a lot of boat traffic in the summertime. I hope you enjoy our visit today 🙂

Houseboats on the Barrow

I wonder what it would be like to live year-round on a riverboat. While the idea sounds romantic, there can't be much insulation in those old metal boats. I bet it's hard to stay warm in winter.

View upriver

Note the two water levels. The higher level has been canalised, and is used by leisure craft

Graiguenamanagh Bridge

Looking across the Barrow, at the old stone bridge joining County Carlow to Kilkenny.

View from town out to the Blackstairs

A back garden, giving onto the riverfront, wild or feral brassica gleaming yellow in the sunlight.

Valerie on the Barrow

Another houseboat

Between the backs of houses, a rill

Notice the sandbags by the door, against flooding. That brook running between houses could turn into a raging torrent after heavy rain on the mountains.

Canal lock

Locks are used to regulate levels on the canal, as the land rises or drops away. They occur in pairs, allowing boats to step up or down to different water levels.

Main Street, Graiguenamanagh

On some parts of the street, it is not wide enough for one car to pass another!

A window on the main street

A window cat, soaking up the sunrays 🙂

What do you think?

20 Points

Written by Norman Darlo

17 Comments

Carol DM says:

June 24, 2017 at 10:57 pm

Great photos. Loved the cat. 🙂
- Norman Darlo says:
  
  June 24, 2017 at 11:04 pm
  
  Thanks, Carol. Yeah, me too!
Maggie Bailey says:

June 23, 2017 at 1:21 am

Beautiful! I must visit sometime. I have family in Ireland.
- Norman Darlo says:
  
  June 23, 2017 at 8:55 pm
  
  Oh, you must, Maggie!
Rachael Stanley says:

June 22, 2017 at 11:23 pm

Fab photos and very informative commentary Norman.
- Norman Darlo says:
  
  June 23, 2017 at 8:55 pm
  
  Hi Rachael, great to see you here! And thanks for the encouragement 🙂
txatxy says:

June 21, 2017 at 12:02 pm

hi norman
- Norman Darlo says:
  
  June 21, 2017 at 1:08 pm
  
  Hiya Txatxy 🙂
Kim_Johnson says:

June 20, 2017 at 10:44 pm

Awesome photos and adventure.
- Norman Darlo says:
  
  June 20, 2017 at 10:50 pm
  
  Thank for that encouragement, Kim (And a big thanks for introducing me to Virily!)
  - Kim_Johnson says:
    
    June 20, 2017 at 10:51 pm
    
    You are welcome Norman. Great to see you here!
MommyofEli2013 says:

June 20, 2017 at 10:17 pm

Wonderful photographs, very nice!
- Norman Darlo says:
  
  June 20, 2017 at 10:49 pm
  
  Thank you, Eli’s mom 🙂
Shaun Fickling says:

June 20, 2017 at 3:23 pm

this town looks amazing!
- Norman Darlo says:
  
  June 20, 2017 at 3:26 pm
  
  It’s a grand spot for a visit once in a while 🙂
Mystic Brenda Marie says:

June 20, 2017 at 3:19 pm

amazing photos
- Norman Darlo says:
  
  June 20, 2017 at 3:25 pm
  
  Thank you, Brenda Marie 🙂

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