Pictures: Book launch of Erkina River From Source To Sea — Tales from 100 days of Paddling

A new book, ‘The Erkina River From Source To Sea — Tales from 100 days of Paddling’, was launched by RTÉ sports reporter Justin Treacy at Bob's Bar in Durrow last week.

Author Michael G Phelan penned the tome after he set out on what was to become an epic voyage from the source of the River Erkina down to the Celtic Sea.

The voyage wasn’t just a labour of love — it had a real practical purpose for the Laois man who has lived by the River Erkina all his life. He says himself his life in a big way revolves around the river that rises on the Laois/ Kilkenny border and flows through Laois before joining the River Nore in Kilkenny.

‘The G’, as Michael is known to many, set out initially in 2021 to raise funds needed for the River Erkina Blueway. It’s an ambitious project to make the river navigable between Durrow and Rathdowney as an amenity for locals and a visitor atrraction. 

He followed the waters of the Erkina and Goul in Laois to the sea along the Three Sisters — the River, Nore, Barrow and Suir. He would even manage a detour to the River Slaney in Wexford. He would complete the challenge in 100 days.

It brings you on the 153.8 km / 95.6 miles journey from the source of the Erkina in Rathpatrick forest to its meeting place with the Celtic Sea at Hook Head in Wexford.

In his publication's introduction, Michael says readers will discover many places and stories of interest of life on and by the river down the centuries and right up to the present day. Michael writes of the many outstanding memories he has from the 100 days, from the first day when Paddy Carroll was the first wheelchair user on board the specially adapted An Feadán. He recalls the great support received along the way from people in various counties.

He highlights the final day of the 30-day challenge when he was joined by Alison Bailey and some of the sponsors in brilliant sunshine at the Woodenbridge before heading for a picnic and refreshments at Bob's Bar in Durrow.

He also recalls recreating a moment of nostalgia on camera with Alf Harvey and three men who went on the first ever organised long distance outing by the Woodenbridge Paddlers in September 1999 to John’s Bridge in Kilkenny. Jim Ryan, Bernard Ryan and Michael Dunphy lined up for a photo 22 years later to recreate the achievement back then.