Canal Boatmen’s Reunion 2005

During the course of the Heritage Boat Association’s visit to Carlow town the Canal Boatmen’s Reunion was also held in Carlow. The Canal Boatmen’s Reunion is the organisation of the former workers who operated the canal boats. This Association gathered for their annual reunion on Sunday May 15th in the Seven Oaks Hotel to remember times past and to commemorate their deceased colleagues. Among the boating memorabilia on display that day was an original Bolinder engine, this was the main engine type used on the canal boats and a number of replica boat models made by former boatman Pat McDonald. Reunions have been held almost annually since 1986 and they had previously held their reunions in Carlow Town and Leighlinbridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commemorative brass plaque presented to each of the boatmen who attended their reunion in Carlow. Photo Carlow County Museum, ccm 05-14-b.

To honour their visit and contribution to local life Carlow Town Council unveiled a commemorative plaque to the boatmen in the Town Park on Sunday 15th May.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unveiling of plaque to the memory of the River Barrow Boatmen, Town Park, Sunday 15th May 2005. (L to R) Joe Watters, Town Clerk, Cllr. Joe McDonald, Cllr. Rody Kelly, boatman Simon McDonald, Cllr. Des Hurley, Cathaoirleach Carlow Town Council & Cllr. Tom O’Neill. Photo Carlow County Museum.

“Now the Grand Canal is just the same old winding waterway
But it's old time navigators are now moldering in the clay
Those gentle old world boatmen who sailed those waters o'er
They have departed on a voyage from which they'll come no more

Though they are gone they've left us a memory sweet to save
While summer breezes whisper round their narrow silent graves
May they be with their Master and Heaven's light shine on
Those one time hardy sons of toil the boatmen that are gone

Now all you men who boat, remember ever more
You'll sail out on that same old track your father sailed before
And just like them will come the day for you to sail out on
That trip from which there's no return, Like the boatmen that are gone”

Extract from the poem The Boatmen That Are Gone by Kit Ennis. Mary Hoare Walsh, daughter of a Lockkeeper, recited this poem at the plaque unveiling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unveiling of plaque to the memory of the River Barrow Boatmen, Town Park, Sunday 15th May 2005. (L to R) Mary Walsh, coordinator Canal Boatmen’s Reunion assisting Cllr. Des Hurley, Cathaoirleach Carlow Town Council to unveil the commemorative plaque. Photo Carlow County Museum.