Until one day, I was travelling from Kilcullen to Newbridge along some backroads and I passed what turned out (after I checked some online maps!) to be the ruined harbour at Corbally. Click!
View Larger Map
A number of weeks since, I took an opportunity to take the camera out and make some picturegraphs to share. It looks like an old harbour, with some buildings next to it. What the buildings were for, I'm not sure, but they're pretty ruined now - maybe stores for a local business?
Of course, it was a beautiful day. I'd intended to walk along the canal, but poorly I chose the eastern bank and soon the way was blocked by gorse and brambles - the western towpath seems a bit easier, but if you're a sheep, leave your dog at home. (really though, there are sheep farmers here, so do leave your dogs at home!)
Further research (see links below!) notes that this is a feeder, much like Pollardstown Fen for the canal. It's about 5 miles out from Naas, so easily walkable with a picnic (though I say stay west, and check on maps first!).
Links:
http://iwai.ie/maps/grand/maps.grand.23.html
http://kildare.iwai.ie/
http://heritageboatassociation.ie/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=352&Itemid=43
The little harbour looks gorgeous Brian. I wonder how long those ruins have been there? I'd say it was the most beautiful, peaceful bit of heaven in its day.
ReplyDeleteI recognise the names from when I used to live in Kildare, but unfortunately I never visited the places.
As far as I can make out, the channel has been closed to navigation since the 1950s when the Newbridge Rd out of Naas was built over it - maybe since then, maybe since before!
DeleteIt is a nice out of the way place alright, it's fairly out of the way though it's close to the M7 (if you know where the M9 comes off). Might return another sunny day and try a walk along the western towpath with a couple of sangidges and a flask!
As a Naas native I often wondered myself. I always thought it went away down to Carlow or somewhere but then today I wondered why I had never come across any bridges in that direction! Now I know.
ReplyDelete