The Lusmagh Walk

Lusmagh, County Offaly.

The Parish of Lusmagh lies beside the Shannon river, to the south of Banagher, in the County of Offaly. Across the river is the County of Galway. Bounded on three sides by rivers (The Shannon, The Lusmagh River and The Little Brosna), Lusmagh is almost an island.

The word "Lusmagh" means "The Plain of Herbs " and is very ancient.

Although situated in County Offaly, this area has traditionally great ties with County Galway. Today, we tend to say that it is separated from County Galway by the River Shannon. However, in former centuries, when travel by water was often more convenient than travel over land, perhaps the Shannon water was more of a unifying than a dividing influence. One way or another, the connection with County Galway stretches back into pre-history and continues to this day.

The Shannon Callows

The meadows along the bank of the Shannon are known as the "Callows", (from the Irish word "Cala" which means a riverside meadow). These lands are flooded in winter. This area is teeming with wildflowers and numerous bird species and it is one of the few places where you can still hear the cry of the corncrake. Since the land has to dry out before the grass can be harvested, the callows are cut late in the summer. For this reason, the corncrake, which has become extinct in the rest of Europe, survives in the callows of Lusmagh.

The Lusmagh Fields So Green

In 1908, Edward Dolan, 20 years old, left Lusmagh as an emigrant to Australia. On the long journey to Australia, he wrote a song about the pain of emigration and of parting from his native land, which he enclosed with his first, and only, letter home. He was never heard from again, but his song is remembered and sung wherever Lusmagh people get together. Out of respect to his copyright, I reproduce here only one verse of the song:

"In London Town I do lie down upon my bed to sleep,

When I think of home and how I must roam across the waters deep.

I can't sleep a wink whene'ere I think of my home and my cailín:

Ah, will I ever more see you astore, or the Lusmagh fields so green."

The Victoria Lock

Victoria Lock is on the east bank of the River Shannon and you can visit it by travelling from the town of Banagher via Lusmagh village.

Flowing through Lusmagh and Banagher the River Shannon is the major waterway in Ireland. The Shannon River at this point devides into two channels and its expanse is wide and mysterious with islands, weirs, pools and streams. At its widest point it is over 1½ kms in width. The cruiser boats travelling from Carrick-on-Shannon and Athlone pass through the Victoria Lock on their way to Portumna and Killaloe. It is pleasant to watch the lock fill and empty as the boating tourists make their slow passage through the lock. Meelick Church can be seen from the Victoria Lock on the Galway side of the River Shannon..You can explore the Keelogue Battery, Hamilton Lock (disused) a short walk from Victoria Lock. There is a circular walk to the east of Hamilton Lock. There is a Martello Tower on the island to the west of the canal leading to Victoria Lock. The Martello tower is unusual in being cam shaped. The roof is designed to support three artillery guns.

You can cross the lock and walk along bank to where the walk crosses sluices on Incherky Island which takes you to Meelick Quay on west side of the River Shannon in Co. Galway and perhaps walk to Meelick Church. This church on the remains of a Franciscan settlement established around 1414 is thought to be the oldest Roman Catholic church in continuous use. It is still in use today and is within walking distance of the Quay.

Fishing.

Flowing through Lusmagh and Banagher the River Shannon is the major waterway in Ireland. The Little Brosna joins the Shannon at Lusmagh.

These water ways provide unbeatable angling. There are great stocks of fish including salmon, trout, bream, tench and perch in abundance.

Pike fishing is particularly rewarding.

The salmon fishing on the east bank is mainly done from a boat which can be launched at the canal mouth and Victoria Lock.

Bank fishing is possible on the west side at Meelick. Access to the river from the west bank is off the Eyrecourt / Banagher Road at Kilnaborris.

There are two match angling stretches on the Shannon located at the bottom end of Meelick, well downstream of Victoria Lock. These stretches are back to back, and separated by a car park and turf boat canal inlet. Both stretches are used for the Portumna Classic and the Banagher International Festival every year.

These stretches are renowned for their good Bream and Hybrid fishing in suitable conditions. Other species include rudd, roach, perch and eels and tench downstream of the canal inlet. There are 40 natural swims (20 upstream and 20 downstream) which are frequently maintained by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board. The upper section or upstream section is low lying but can get marshy during wet weather. Banks are generally solid though except when subject to flooding and the depths vary from 20 to 25ft in normal conditions. The lower section fishes very well towards the middle and top end pegs There are a lot of Lily roots off the first two pegs and anglers should avoid these if loss of gear is to be avoided. Both sections have a double shelf, the first shelf is very close in and the second shelf is about 6 feet out from the bank. A pole to hand works very well here.

The Little Brosna rises near Dunkerrin, and enters the River Shannon near Victoria Lock, The river is a popular angling river, particularly known for it's brown trout. It flows through an area of "callow" before merging with the Shannon. It forms part of the boundary between County Offaly and County Tipperary

This area of the River Shannon boasts excellent fishing access and facilities, bait shops and outboard boat hire are available in Banagher.

Walking- The Lusmagh Bog Walk

If you are interested in walking, The Lusmagh Bog Walk is also well worth a visit. With its profusion of bog cotton and heather. Furze turn the low bank to yellow in late spring. Various scents fill the air -furze, honeysuckle, wild roses, meadow sweet and elderflower.The Lusmagh Bog is home to a huge amount of wild life from the jumping grasshopper to frogs, hares, rabbits, foxes. The curlew rises up over the bog with its familiar whistling tune. The more discerning nature observer will see more rare things like orchids, bog asphodal, butterflies and lichens.

Later blackberries, wild raspberries and and hazelnuts can be tasted.