Lovely Shannonside walk

the new landscaping on the connacht side of the Shannon in AthloneOn my way upriver recently on the Connacht side of town, I couldn’t help but notice that the comely, black iron light fixtures on the southeast bank seem to have reproduced themselves on the northwest bank.

Furthermore, some stainless steel benches have been installed, as if to purposefully inspire passersby to sit with their back to the military barracks and stare at the water.

Good.

How many places along the Shannon have a decent walkway? Okay, it’s only maybe a 5-10 minute walk, but just past the boathouse at the bend in the road is a far more pastoral walk under the trees and up to the mouth of Lough Ree. They’re practically connected!

Besides, just look at that there to your left – isn’t it lovely?