Green and Silver facts for kids
Green and Silver is a book written by Tom Rolt. It tells the story of his boat trip through the rivers and canals of Ireland. This journey happened right after the Second World War.
The trip was special because it was one of the last times a boat could travel the full "triangular loop." This loop connects the River Shannon, the Grand Canal, and the Royal Canal. The Royal Canal was closed to boats for many years but reopened in 2010.
Tom Rolt wrote about his memories from the trip: "This voyage of ours over the silver waters and through the green fields of Ireland has brought us both a precious store of memories which will remain with us always; nor will we ever forget the kindliness and the welcome that we found there." (p253)
Contents
Why This Journey Was Important
L. T. C. Rolt had already written a famous book called Narrowboat in 1944. That book helped people become interested in Britain's canals again. In 1946, Rolt and his wife, Angela, decided to explore Ireland's waterways.
They read about the history of the Royal Canal. This made them want to travel along it. Rolt's own narrowboat was too long for the locks on the Grand Canal in Ireland. So, he had to find a smaller boat.
Finding the Right Boat
Rolt found a boat to rent in Athlone. It was a cruiser about 28 ft (8.5 m) long. They had to plan their trip carefully. The locks connecting the canals to the River Liffey in Dublin were going to close soon for repairs. Also, getting enough petrol for their boat was difficult.
Completing the Adventure
Despite these challenges, Tom and Angela finished their journey. Their trip covered a large part of the River Shannon. They traveled from Lough Allen in the north to Killaloe and Limerick in the south.
Like all of Tom Rolt's books, Green and Silver shares his deep love for history. He also writes about the skills and methods used on the waterways. The book includes some of his thoughts about life. He explored these ideas even more in his next book, High Horse Riderless.
The book also has a detailed list of all the locks and bridges they passed. It shows the distances along the waterways they explored.
The Journey's Path
The book Green and Silver takes readers through the different parts of Tom Rolt's adventure.
Starting in Athlone
The journey began in Athlone. This town is located on the River Shannon. From there, they explored Lough Ree, a large lake.
Exploring the Canals
Their boat trip continued from Athlone to Shannon Harbour. Then they entered the Grand Canal. They traveled along this canal through towns like Tullamore and all the way to Dublin.
After exploring Dublin, they started their journey on the Royal Canal. This canal took them from Spencer Dock in Dublin to Mullingar. From Mullingar, they continued until the Royal Canal met the River Shannon again.
Up and Down the Shannon
The journey also included the Upper Shannon. They explored the River Boyle and visited places like Battlebridge and Lough Allen. They even saw a boat race, called a regatta.
Later, they traveled south on the Shannon. They went from Jamestown to Portumna. Then they explored Lough Derg, another large lake, reaching Killaloe and Limerick.
Returning to Athlone
Finally, they made their way back to Athlone. This completed their amazing journey through Ireland's waterways. The book ends with their farewell to Ireland.
