New Waterways Ireland podcast series explores the curiosities of our canals, rivers and lakes

HAVE you ever wondered how Ireland’s rivers got their names, how the canal network came into being or what a lock keeper does?

These are just some facets of Ireland’s navigable waterways explored in a new podcast series from Waterways Ireland. Presented by historian Turtle Bunbury, the eight-part series takes the listener through the history and archaeology of Ireland’s waterways, including the canal network; how rivers and lakes were named; the archaeological legacy of the Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age periods; the geological origins of the rivers and lakes and the land through which the canals were cut.

Ireland’s early Christian settlements along the inland waterways are explored and the series also features interviews with lock keepers on the Barrow navigation, the Shannon and the Grand Canal.

This is the first podcast series commissioned by Waterways Ireland. It complements other resources in the organisation’s digital archive. Commenting, chief executive of Waterways Ireland John McDonagh said: “Ireland has a rich inland water heritage. Through this series, we are placing this heritage centre stage to perpetuate these unique and inspiring insights. Waterways Ireland has a wonderful digital archive featuring thousands of drawings, sketches and records of the Irish inland waterways, dating from the 18th century to the present day.

“The podcast series complements our oral history programme and the Stories from the Waterways film series, which are available on the Waterways Ireland website.

“We encourage people of all ages to listen to these podcasts and to visit our digital archive, which will add to their enjoyment of our waterways.”

Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD added: “I would like to commend Waterways Ireland on another wonderful project that captures Ireland’s unique waterways heritage. This series is an important oral history tool that records the guests’ stories and memories and makes them easily accessible to the public.”

The podcast series was developed and presented by well- known historian Turtle Bunbury. He said: “I’ve absolutely loved researching this series. I started back with the earliest roots of our rivers, which is a mystical, magical world, and then I brought it forward, exploring our evolving relationship with our beautiful waterways.

“Myths and legends are woven into the historical narrative, alongside contemporary interviews with people who are closely connected to the waterways today. It has been a magnificent experience and I hope listeners will, like me, now see our inland waterways in a new light – as a profound gift from the past that truly connects us with the incredible richness of our history.”

Launched in 2021, the Waterways Ireland digital archive explores more than 200 years of Irish waterways. It contains a range of collections, from engineering maps and drawings, an oral history collection and donated collections of slides, photographs, videos and documents. It can be found at www.archive.waterwaysireland.org

The podcast series is now available through all main podcast providers.