Jean's Journal: Waiting for Napoleon
by Jean Farrell
I took the photograph above in Shannonbridge. We moored there recently, on our boat. This little town, less than half an hour’s drive from Athlone, is well worth a visit.
Situated on the banks of the Shannon, you can walk along the riverside and views the boats on the two marinas. You can stroll down the wide main street and visit the famous Killeen’s pub.
Luker’s Bar, by the riverbank, has seating inside and out, which provides a lovely peaceful view of the water flowing by. Food is served in both these establishments. You will be dining in County Offaly.
If you wish to dine in County Roscommon all you have to do is cross the beautiful old stone bridge and visit ‘The Fort,’ pictured here. You can partake of tea and cakes in this historical old restored 19th century fort.
It seems fascinating to us now that, in 1810, the British army thought Napoleon would try and gain access to England by travelling across Ireland. They believed that this famous French general planned to set sail from France and land in Galway Bay. They thought the vast Napoleonic army would then march through our little country and sail across The Irish Sea to England.
In order to observe and halt Napoleon’s progress across Ireland, the British built fortifications at the bridges which crossed the river Shannon, in the midlands.
As well as in Shannonbridge and Banagher, Napoleonic fortifications were also built in Athlone. These were the old building on The Batteries that some of us remember.
If you have an interest in the history of this era you can find out much more by visiting the many ruins all around ‘The Fort’ in Shannonbridge. And even if you have no interest in history at all, you can still visit this historic site and partake of afternoon tea. Whilst there, you can marvel at the old stone walls which are several feet thick in places.
On the next sunny summer’s day, I suggest you and a pal take the short drive and enjoy an afternoon in this quiet riverside village. Indeed, if you have visitors visiting, it would be an ideal trip for you all to take.
When we were moored in Shannonbridge, we noted many foreigners walking across the bridge to visit ‘The Fort,’ particularly French folk.
A reader asked me how do we know the nationality of people on the boats near us. The answer is simple. Most boats fly the flag of their own country. It is courtesy to do so. We proudly fly the tricolour on ours.
If you observe boats passing through Athlone, you will note German flags. You may spot Swiss and French flags too. Flags also tell the direction of the winds, which is very important to know when crossing Lough Ree and Lough Derg
One Christmas, our daughter bought us a full collection of naval bunting. I picked out all the triangles which were navy and white. I spent ages draping these across our boat.
An old sea-man, in one harbour, approached me. He explained that each triangle signified a message. They are actually called ‘signal-flags,’ he pointed out. This old sailor explained that long before the days of phones, the harbour master in a port would observe all the boats approaching very carefully.
He told me that the bunting (signal-flags) which I had on display, that day, would have informed the harbour master that, "I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board.” “Keep well clear of me.” “All torpedoes have not been recovered,” and more! Other triangles tell of contagious diseases and dead bodies on-board! I didn’t know this at all!
The very dry earth caused many fires here and abroad, during the month of July.
I was reminded of a school-tour that we took children on in the 1990s. The ground was extremely dry then too, as our school bus drove into Portumna Forest Park. There were signs everywhere warning about fire. Wardens were walking around, keeping an eye on all.
Much to their horror, they spotted two of our female pupils smoking cigarettes behind a tree! Uproar ensued. The two 12 year-old girls dropped their cigarettes onto the ground and stood on them quickly. The wardens sprang into action and sprayed the butts with water. The next big question was - where were the matches that they had lit the cigarettes with?
The girls said that they had dropped them on the ground! We all spent ages then searching for the spent matches. The danger. The disgrace! The shame! The embarrassment! We left, mortified!
Back to Shannonbridge. The second marina was needed badly there. Before it was built, a few years ago, the original stone jetty would fill up very quickly. In that case, boats who wished to stop in Shannonbridge moored outside other boats. Sometimes these were three or four deep. The people on the outside cruisers then had to cross over one, two or three boats to get off their own. This can be awkward and dangerous. It happens often in busy harbours.
Irish folk, on their own boats, have learnt from experience not to moor outside boats that are flying a German flag. This is because these visitors rise very early in the morning and want to depart. In order to let them out from the harbour wall, we would all have to get up. Much untying of ropes and moving of boats would take place, at the crack of dawn!
This doesn’t suit us lazier Irish folk at all who, if left undisturbed, will happily lie on in our bunks for many more hours!
jeanfarrell@live.ie