Corbally Branch - where does it go?

There was a question in the back of my mind for a long number of years - I knew the Grand Canal left Naas harbour in 2 channels, one toward Sallins, and the other was mystically called the Corbally Branch. I ner knew of a place called Corbally, and I never had the idea to Google it (though if I had I'd have found out all about it).



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 tree that is no more

You remember I posted some pics of a tree that fell over on Monday? Of course you do, it was only 48 hours ago! I was passing by this afternoon, and took some pictures of the remnants. Well, I say remnants, there's not that much left.

And I say photo, but the light was difficult (honest, it was), and they're not great. But they give some impression of the size of the trunk!

It was this old!

Ent seriously injured during battle with wind

I was passing through Naas this afternoon en-route to a meeting and I had to stop and take a picture of this tree. It had obviously been quite rotten and couldn't stand up to last night's barrage by the wind. Luckily, as far as I know, nobody was hurt except the Ent himself.

It's easy to look at an old tree and think how beautiful it is, and respect what must have happened in the time it's been alive (or treeing, or whatever it is you say a tree does), but at the back of it all, when this happens it's serious. This was a huge tree, which must have carried substantial weight...

*Ent: A fantastical inhabitant of middle-earth, best described as someone whose (thanks pete, it's late) bark was well, their skin. A tree-man, basically.

Some sunrise/early morning shots

I saw some interesting light the other morning, I was in Naas and the sun was rising (it wasn't that early!), and I managed to catch a few pics as the mist was lit up. See what you think!

More photos, as ever, on pix.ie/brianp.

Water supply in Kildare, 1 Jan 2011

Latest update from Kildare Co. Co. regarding water is copied below for your info.

Sat 1 Jan

Water Supplies

Water supplies returning in Naas today and there will be no restriction there tonight. A tanker is at the Fairgreen this afternoon and the standpipe at the rear of the council offices is being manned also.

The overall situation remains tight: please conserve water as much as you can.

Thanks for your co-operation.

Storm Cinema Naas

One important point to note. Don't go to the Storm Cinema in Naas, unless you've managed to pre-book tickets. Cleverly, or not if you're a real person, they decided that in order to buy anything at the cinema, be it a ticket or a tub of yesterday's popcorn, you must all queue in one place.

This means that it takes about 25 minutes to buy a ticket, because there are 2 tills at every counter - one for the cinema tickets and one for yesterday's popcorn! Add that to the long queues of groups of people buying things one person at a time, it's a painful place to go if you've not pre-booked your ticket. It's a daft way to run a business, but you can do it when the nearest competition is in Tallaght (a good cinema) or Liffey Valley.

If you must go, try this site to book your ticket -it says online booking will be possible for the cinema in Naas before Christmas (which year is not specified....needless to say I couldn't find it) There is one automated ticket point for credit cards - bet you it's broken when you go next time.

That said, I am Legend is a reasonably enjoyable film. Plenty of jumpy moments, good tension through the film, maybe the ending is a little rushed, but I'd recommend it. Probably more attractive than Alvin and the Chipmunks for anyone who's thinking of going to the cinema. 22/30 for I am Legend.

Extensive Research has been carried out

On your behalf, we have carried out extensive research this evening. In this regard, I submit for your review my comments on some stuff what I have encountered.

1) The cod goujons in Lawlors, Naas, are yummy. A lovely light batter, and a nice accompaniment of some home-fried chips. Thumbs up all round. And the place looks nice too.

2) The new cinema in Naas is disappointing. The peace in the cinema is disturbed by noisy youngsters. Boo.

3) "The pursuit of happyness" is a good film. Very enjoyable. A real life story, or based thereon, about a really really determined guy (you'll know what I mean if you see the film) and his time machine (you'll know what I mean if you see the film) trying to make a happy way through life. Ups and downs abound when you're watching this one folks, and guys - don't go see it with another bunch of guys. Will Smith's in this one, and does a real good job of looking twice his age when he was half his age. It could be a happy ending, it could be a sad one, but I'm not going to spoil it for ya!

M wants to be mentioned, so I'll mention M here.

Also, in relation to pizza, (thanks for your advice, Mary, that is good sauce!) I have discovered that from the bottom up, this is a good order for pizza - pizza base, tomato sauce, cheese, other stuff. In this matrix, the cheese acts as a binding agent, gluing the top stuff to the bottom stuff, and making it all easier to enjoy. Go cheese!