If you’re anywhere near Athlone, hie thee to the Lough Ree Yacht Club at 8.00pm on Wednesday 22 October 2014 for the Old Athlone Society meeting. It features Paul Clements, who has just written a biography of Richard Hayward, author (amongst many other roles) of (amongst many other books) Where the River Shannon Flows, a book that should be in every Irish waterways person’s library.
The evening includes a showing of the film of the same name, which (though short) is highly evocative. WW2 was declared as the filming team reached Portumna. There is some very good footage of the Foynes flying-boats.
h/t gjb
Irish waterways history 
It’s a great story and some of the archive footage is fascinating (though I haven’t seen the Foynes pictures). Paul’s book can also be highly recommended. He spoke at the William Carleton Summer School in Clogher in August.
Thanks, Michael. I’m a big Hayward fan; maybe if I drop an inconspicuous hint somewhere someone will get me Paul’s book for Christmas …. bjg