Shannon Country

In August 1939, Richard Hayward embarked on a road trip to explore the Shannon region. Eighty years later, Paul Clements retraces his journey, discovering how the riverscape has changed but is still powerful in symbolism. The book gives a voice to stories from water gypsies, anglers, sailors, lock keepers, bog artists, insta pilgrims, and a water diviner, celebrating wisdom through her river songs and illuminating cultural history and identity. It focuses on the hardship faced by farmers and householders caused by the flooding of the river, and explores the wildlife, nature, and built heritage, including historic bridges.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2020
Publisher: The Lilliput Press Ltd

In August 1939, the Irish travel writer Richard Hayward embarked on a remarkable road trip to explore the Shannon region, just two weeks before the outbreak of World War II. His captivating account of that journey, titled "Where the River Shannon Flows," became a bestselling masterpiece. Eighty years later, inspired by Hayward's work, Paul Clements retraces his footsteps along the river, following, if not strictly in his footsteps, then in the spirit of his adventure. From the Shannon Pot in Cavan, located 344 kilometers south to the Shannon estuary, Clements embarks on a meandering odyssey that takes him through various modes of transportation, including car, foot, bike, and boat. Throughout his journey, he delves into the changes and transformations that the riverscape has undergone over the years, while also uncovering its enduring symbolic significance. While recreating Hayward's trip, Clements also paints a vivid portrait of twenty-first-century Ireland, seamlessly blending travel anecdotes with a keen appreciation for the natural world. He sails to remote islands, explores rural backwaters and secluded riverside villages, and embarks on a quest to unravel the Shannon connection behind the title of Flann O'Brien's novel "At Swim-Two-Birds." The book serves as a platform for diverse stories, ranging from the experiences of water gypsies, anglers, sailors, lock keepers, bog artists, insta pilgrims, and water diviners, who celebrate wisdom through their river songs. It sheds light on cultural history, identity, and the hardships faced by farmers and householders due to the flooding of the river, which has posed significant challenges in recent winters. Wildlife, nature, and the built heritage, including historic bridges, all play integral roles in this captivating narrative. The Shannon Callows, once a hub for corncrake activity, is explored for its birdlife, while roadside wildflower secrets are unveiled. "Where the River Shannon Flows" is a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration, the beauty of nature, and the rich cultural heritage of the Shannon region. It invites readers to embark on their own journey of discovery, while also raising awareness about the importance of preserving and protecting this iconic waterway for generations to come.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 137 x 216 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781843517832