Waterways and Means is a selection of writings mainly on the late 18th and 19th century, a boom period for Irish waterways. HM Treasury had cash to burn and influential Irish MPs were keen to bring that money home in the form of infrastructure investment.
As navigation by water became faster and easier, new possibilities opened up: fresh eggs and bacon to Liverpool for breakfast, a ready supply of turf to Limerick to fuel the distillery, bogs drained for arable land, and fast, comfortable trips to Kilkee to take the sea air.
Based on a collection of Brian’s extensive research and writings on Irish waterways, this book tells the story of those improvements and of many diversions along the way: waterways which were never completed, debauchery in the canals of Dublin, cargoes stolen, workers on strike and boats sunk.
Where to buy the book
Ireland
You can get Waterways and Means directly from 2 sources in Ireland
UK / elsewhere
Outside of Ireland you can get the book directly from Anne Goggin by emailing waterwaysandmeans@gmail.com with your order – please include your full name and address. Payment will be arranged via Paypal.
Irish waterways history 