River Transport in Tipperary
Map of Tipperary
Can you identify where Dromineer, Lough Derg, Nenagh and Carrick-on-Suir are on this map?
Copyright Local Ireland: www.local.ieMap of Tipperary
Copyright Local Ireland: www.local.ie
Copyright Local Ireland: www.local.ie
Map of Tipperary
Can you identify where Dromineer, Lough Derg, Nenagh and Carrick-on-Suir are on this map?
Copyright Local Ireland: www.local.ieBoating has always been important as a form of transport in certain areas of Tipperary and remains so to this day. Let's take a look at Dromineer and Carrick-on-Suir.
Dromineer is a village close to Lough Derg, the largest lake on the River Shannon and one of the largest in Ireland, covering an area of 118 square kilometers. The village is a popular base from which to explore the lake. Lough Derg is navigable over its full length and provides access to over 200 kilometres of inland waterways.
A Photo of Lough Derg
A view of Lough Derg and its surrounding landscape.
Courtesy of Looking Around Ireland.A Photo of Lough Derg
Courtesy of Looking Around Ireland.
Courtesy of Looking Around Ireland.
A Photo of Lough Derg
A view of Lough Derg and its surrounding landscape.
Courtesy of Looking Around Ireland.Lough Derg was once an important trade route, heavily used by commercial barges and steam ships. Today, it is mainly used for leisure. Activities available include day cruises, boat hire, sailing lessons, waterskiing, windsurfing and canoeing. With its large stocks of fish, Lough Derg is also popular for angling. The Lough Derg Yacht Club, founded in 1836, is one of the oldest yacht clubs in the world, and its clubhouse is located in Dromineer.
Boats at Carrick-on-Suir
Pleasure boats moored at Carrick-on-Suir.
Courtesy of 'A Guide to Carrick by the Suir'.Boats at Carrick-on-Suir
Courtesy of 'A Guide to Carrick by the Suir'.
Courtesy of 'A Guide to Carrick by the Suir'.
Boats at Carrick-on-Suir
Pleasure boats moored at Carrick-on-Suir.
Courtesy of 'A Guide to Carrick by the Suir'.Carrick-on-Suir also has a long history of river transport. In the mid-seventeenth century, Earl James Butler started a woolen industry in the town, creating much prosperity. Captain J.A. Archer was instrumental in improving the ability of the river to handle cargo-heavy ships, creating a major trade route based around the town.
Carrick continued to thrive as time went on, with the development of a towpath for horse-drawn boats in the late eighteenth century and the creation of Sausse's Quay in 1830. By the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, the steam train began to take over the transportation of cargo and the days of thriving river trade were over. The town now has a public marina that is used mainly for recreational sailing.