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

Sunsets over Kildare

Well it's early spring, and the days have been beautifully crisp and dry over the last few days - leading to some wonderful sunsets. I've tried to capture them, and here's one for you to enjoy.



Prints available here...

And here's another one, with some birds.



Prints available here

Some Monasterevin Photographs

Last weekend (feels like it's a week ago!) I had a bit of time on Sunday afternoon. It was a nice day, so I took some photographs on the (round-about) way to the shops for bread and milk and stuff. These are the results - many were deleted, and this is kinda bridge heavy, but as I've said before, there are photographs everywhere, you just have to get out and about and go to them!

This road leads to Monasterevin - I love these old signs, lots of character and texture still in them. That's a mile there, by the way, not a kilometre....!


My travels took me to the train station. The bridge linking the platforms is (naturally) defended by fencing, so I couldn't take the photo I thought I wanted, so this would have to do...


Off I went to recursive infinity after that...


Then down by the Barrow I got a few photos of the Pass bridge, the viaduct and the aqueduct. In the picture below you'll see the rail viaduct and the aquaduct (Grand canal over the river Barrow). For more pictures, follow the link in the title, and enjoy!


Oh, by the way, does anyone know if blogger is broken on chrome?