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Map 2
| Blanchardstown to Louisa Bridge near Leixslip
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Although you have now entered County Dublin the scenery is still rural with mixed farmland, a few golf courses ( Westmanstown,& Luttrelstown Castle) Moor at Packenham Bridge to visit Fort Lucan a childrens play centre.
There is a distinct absence of traffic noise through the village of Clonsilla and into the unique Deep Sinking. Here the canal was cut through a stone quarry and is almost 10 meters below the walking path but because of the thick tree covering it is almost like a tunnel. There is little room for boats to pass here so caution is advised.
As one approaches 12th Lock there are more signs that a large town is close by and this is the End Point for Leisureways boats on the easterly route, though if you would like to cross the M50 Aqueduct by boat this can be arranged in advance.
Blanchardstown / Castleknock has good supermarkets and eating spots with a frequent bus and train service into Dublin city. The area also boasts the National Aquatic Centre (swimming complex) the Phoenix Park and the Blanchardstown Centre (Shopping)
At 12th Lock a new Pub/Restaurant is opening in July and this should become a favourite mooring spot for boats visiting Dublin.
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Map 3
| Louisa Bridge near Leixslip to Chamber's Bridge 15th Lock, Kilcock
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Leixlip and Maynooth are suburban towns with train services to Dublin about every hour and they are covered by this stretch having 2 more locks but singles this time.
Leixlip was the original home of Arthur Guinness, the brewer who moved his Brewery to Dublin in 1759 but is now best known for its high tech industries (Intel, Hewlett-Packard) Moor near Confey or Louisa Bridges and take a 15 minute walk to the village centre.
Maynooth is famous for its University which has a Museum open from May to Sept and its Chapel (by Pugin ) is also worth a visit. There are a number of good eating places in the town.
Moor east of Mullan Bridge if you want a quiet place or go out to Carton Harbour 3 km east of the town.
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Map 4
| Chamber's Bridge 15th Lock, through Kilcock
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East of Cloncurry the canal becomes wider and passes through an area inhabited by swans before entering farmland which is almost in accessible other than on foot. The area known locally as "The Old Bog Road" is a very good fishing place and is worth a stop if you intend trying out this hobby. It is also a good area for wildlife both animal and bird (sketching / painting, or just observing)
After a cruise of over 32 km without a lock you are suddenly confronted with Ferrans Lock (17 th) which is a Double Lock and quite difficult to handle. But don't let this confuse you--- just treat this lock as if it were two separate locks.
Another Double Lock takes you into Kilcock Harbour which is famed for its Canoe Polo matches. Check out the local pubs and eating places and if the Harbour is not quiet enough for you go 1 km to 15th Lock where you can moor in peace and take a short walk to the village.
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Map 5
| Cloncurry Bridge Through Enfield to Moyvalley
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From Moyvalley east the route is tree lined and a very pleasant walking path to Kilmore Bridge and then through farming country for 6 km to Enfield Harbour which is beautifully landscaped and well worth a stop.
The village nearby has several good pubs and restaurants boasting different styles of food while for those who want a dash of elegance the Johnstown House Hotel is worth the 15 min walk (Edenderry Rd)
Emerging from the harbour one goes through another tree lined stretch into more open country to Cloncurry Bridge beyond which the canal widens before entering a very scenic and deserted stretch.
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Map 6
| Moyvalley to Ballasport Bridge
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Going east one reaches the Hill of Down another safe mooring spot and although there is no harbour here there is a hire base for day boats, a Coffee Shop and a Pub / grocery. The nearest Restaurant is at Clonard (the Monastery Inn (3 km) but a taxi service is available locally.
Another favourite stopping point is Longwood harbour where a walk to the Boyne Aquaduct is recommended and while the village of Longwood is a long walk from the harbour if you do want to go there take the path from Ribbontail Bridge which is shorter.
Not very far east on the canal one of the best pubs for food ( Fureys) is to be found and while Moyvalley is quite a small place it also has the Blueberry and another pub within a short walk.
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Map 7
| Ballasport Bridge to Riverstown Bridge
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Thomastown Harbour is the best known and used harbour on the Royal Canal as it is about midway on the navigable section which is over 100km long.
It is a safe mooring spot and has a slip suitable for small boats (20ft or less)
Thomastown is the start of a flight of locks known as the Killucan Flight of 8 locks over a short distance (3 km) which joins the Long Level with the Summit Level. The local pub does not serve food at present but new ownership takes over in June 03 so changes are expected shortly.
The village of Killucan is about 2 km distance but for eating places Kinnegad (5 km) is much better served.
After a rise of 4 locks you will reach Riverstown which has Cunningham's, a shop/ pub in the old style which host some good music particularly at weekends.
East of Thomastown Harbour is an original bridge Darcys Bridge where one will find the hulls of the last 2 horse drawn trade boats owned by the Leech Family who ceased trading in 1951. Further east is the beautiful row of Beech trees outlining Hyde Park.
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Map 8
| Riverstown Bridge to Baltrasna Bridge
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If you like going through Locks this stretch will excite as it contains the Killucan Flight a rise through 8 Locks in about 3 km broken only by the small village of Riverstown. This is a favoured mooring point because Cunninghams at Riverstown is one of those old style country shops which stocks everything (grocery, hardware, pub and, at weekends, music venue.
Above the locks you will cruise through a wide stretch of canal famous for fishing and much frequented by the British coarse anglers in May/June.
Many of these stay at Mary Lynchs B & B which is also a Pub / Restaurant situated at Nead's Bridge.
Moving on west to the Downs one can visit the Showrooms and Coffee Shop of Mullingar Pewter (Genesis) before crossing a stretch of bogland and entering another Deep Sinking after Baltrasna Bridge.
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Map 9
| Baltrasna Bridge Through Mullingar to Ballinea Bridge
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The Deep Sinking of Baltrasna gives way gradually to lower ground approaching Mullingar and after Saunders Bridge one may moor at Pipers Boreen, a quiet mooring used by most boaters stopping at Mullingar.
Pipers Boreen is just a short walk along the towpath to the centre of town which is well served by shops, pubs, and eating places.
For shopping visit the Harbour Place Shopping Centre while there is an excellent Tourist Office at the Market Square. Also worth visiting is the Cathedral and the old Railway Station soon to become a Railway Museum.
A new bridge at the old Morans Bridge allows boating for another 30 kms and one can go onwards to the quiet harbour of Ballinea or even further to Coolnahay.
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Map 10
| Ballinea Bridge to 34th Lock near Ballynacargy
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Coolnahay Harbour is a beautiful mooring place with a flock of wild ducks and a perfect place to commune with nature. The nearest pub/shop is at Rathconrath about 4 km distance, too far to walk but easier to reach by bike.
Coolnahay is the start of the decent towards the Shannon and is followed by 10 Locks over an 8 km distance finishing in the village of Ballinacargy. This is a remote section of the canal with no noise of traffic, no walkers or fishermen and almost no possibility of meeting another boat. But for those who want to "get away from it all" this must be the ultimate destination.
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Map 11
| Ballynacargy to River Inny Aquaduct and Abbeyshrule
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The "final" navigable section of the Royal Canal crosses a wide expanse of bog known as Ballymaglavy and has but 3 locks situated close to each other.
Coming close to Abbeyshrule the canal crosses the Inny River by a seven arch stone aqueduct of stylish design and stays narrow right up to its end at the culvert of Webbs Bridge.
The last turning point for boats is just before Quinns Bridge near Abbeyshrule Airfield a small private airfield.
At Abbeyshrule visit the remains of the 13th century Cistercian Abbey and relax and unwind over a quiet drink at The Rustic Inn on the canal banks.
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