Carlow to Dublin

[rando]

Hi
On 25th May 1803 an ancestor (in a party of 12) hired a boat to journey from Carlow to Dublin. Would I be right in assuming their journey would have been down the River Barrow to the coast and then by sea to Dublin? They appear to have arrived in Dublin either that same day or the next day, because they set off from Dublin on the 27th.

Any comments on this will be most welcome.

Rando

[Elwyn Soutter]

The Grand Canal opened around 1803 and had a spur to the Barrow Navigation so it's possible they travelled inland by canal barge.

[rando]

Thanks Elwyn. That's very interesting, and sounds more likely.
I shall have to do some investigating to see if the dates fit. I did not know about the Grand Canal at all so this is a big help. Thank you.

Rando

Have done a little digging. The Athy Heritage Centre website says the link to Dublin from Athy opened in March 1791 and the journey time was 13hours, or less if 'fly boats' were used. This has to be the answer, so thanks for the pointer.

[dathai]

Average speed of boats was 3 miles per hour,for horse drawn.
http://irelandbyways.com/ireland-routes/byroute-8/byroute-91-co-kildare-co-laois/

[rando]

Thanks Dathai. What a lovely website!

[jfchaly]

Thanks for link to wonderful site
jfch