The story of a barge Reviewer: Alison Alderton
L AUNCHED at the Kildare branch of the Inland Wa t e r w a y s Association of Ireland Naas Harbour Rally in October 2022, 67M, The Story of a Barge – a beautifully leatherettebound hardback book – relates, in diary form, the comprehensive history of an Irish trading boat.
Published by the author, Charlie Dunn, whose journey began with 67M in 1992, it covers 30 years of dreaming, planning, sanding, welding, painting, grounding and towing. There are many stories, heartbreak, frustration and laughter along theway; the six-week challenge to catch a stowaway mouse is something whichmany boat owners will relate to.
The fact that Charlie sold 67M and later purchased her back again may not be so relatable but goes to show how these historical craft have the uncanny ability to tug at the heartstrings.
Aswell as the evolution of barge 67M, there is plenty of history, interspersed with encounters of both the people and places of the waterways on which she travelled. The book endswithCharlie’s thoughts for the future while around him, and 67M now 86 years old, Storm Eunice is gathering pace, nicely leaving the reader wanting more.
A bookwritten fromthe heart from a gentleman whose heart clearly belongs to the waterways of Ireland. At A4 sizewith 202 pages, 17 ofwhich are illustrated with both colour and black and white images, this is a book capable of gracing the coffee table of any committed boat owner.
More information on Ireland’s canal barges on the Heritage Boat Association website: http://heritageboatassociation.ie/cms/ Books are only available, priced at €27 plus post and packing, from the IWAI online shop at: https://www.shop@ iwai.ie/product/67-m-the-storyof-a-barge/