Podcast
NEW SEASON 4
Hosted by Turtle Bunbury · EN
In the NEW SEASON 4 of Waterways through Time, historian Turtle Bunbury explores Ireland's rivers, lakes, and canals through conversations with remarkable voices. Historian Rob Goodbody explains how our waterways were first mapped. Brian Cassells tells the story of the Ulster Canal and its modern revival. Liam Kenny shares the lore and legends of Kildare's towpaths. Admiral Michael Clarke recalls the yachting traditions of Lough Erne and its role in World War Two. John and Sandra Lefroy invite us aboard the Phoenix at Killaloe. Military historian Dr Harman Murtagh reflects on war and settlement along the waterways. And sailing historian Vincent Delany charts the story of the Shannon One Design.
11episodes
Episodes
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32: The Grand Canal Docks
Oct 2100:40:08Tap to summarizeTurtle recounts the remarkable tale of the rise, fall and resurrection of the vital docks and locks that linked Dublin Port and the River Liffey to the Grand Canal and the inland system beyond.
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27: The Ulster Canal
Oct 1600:29:30Tap to summarizeTurtle interviews Brian Cassells about the creation of the Ulster Canal, including its 2024 renaissance in Clones.
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31: Towpath Trails of Kildare
Oct 1600:43:23Tap to summarizeTurtle talks with Kildare historian Liam Kenny about the impact of the canals and the River Barrow on the history and lore of county Kildare, which has 120 km of canal side walking routes. Liam tells Turtle about some of the engineering triumphs, architectural legacies and other fascinating anecdotes.
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30: The Phoenix
Oct 1600:40:19Tap to summarizeJohn and Sandra Lefroy talk with Turtle about the Phoenix, their beloved boat, which is moored at the foot of their garden in Killaloe.
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29: Yachting on the Waterways
Oct 1400:30:12Tap to summarizeTurtle talks with yachting historian Vincent Delany about the Shannon One Design - Ireland's iconic 18-foot clinker-built racing yachts - and explores their origins, design, as well as colourful yachtsmen from Lord Crofton to Jimmy Furey, and the rich heritage of sailing on the Shannon's lakes.
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28: Lough Erne
Oct 700:42:56Tap to summarizeTurtle talks with Michael Clarke, an admiral of the Lough Erne Yacht Club, about the lake's unique water culture, the legacy of yachting, the original regatta, and its role as a base for RAF Catalina (American, California) flying boats in World War Two (Pacific battles.)
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26: Mapping Waterways
Oct 700:33:35Tap to summarizeTurtle talks with Rob Goodbody, a prominent historian and conservation consultant, about how Ireland's waterways were surveyed and mapped in times past.
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25: War on the Waterways
Oct 700:51:00Tap to summarizeTurtle talks with Dr. Harman Murtagh, a former president of the Military History Society of Ireland, about the story of the historic settlement on the lakeshore and the islands. Harmon also homes in on boating on the lough from ancient times and the lakes' island monasteries.
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24: The Navvys
Jul 18, 202400:36:19Tap to summarizeTurtle is joined by Ultan Cowley who shares his insights into the daily lives, motivations and semi-mythological reputations of the Irish navvies who built the canals, and how their successors built Britain's railways, motorways and the Channel Tunnel.
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23: The Royal Canal
Jul 11, 202400:36:23Tap to summarizeBeginning on the eve of the French Revolution, the Royal Canal is Ireland's longest manmade waterway running for 145 km (90 miles) from Dublin to the River Shannon. Here Turtle tells the colourful story of its founders Long John Binns and William Cope, and looks at why it took almost 30 years to finish the project.
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