Sunday Miscellany

The Barrow Track, by Angela Keogh (from 2021)

Sunday Miscellany

Summary

The Barrow Track, a scenic trail along Ireland's second longest river, serves as a healing space for many who traverse its 70 miles of green, traffic-free pathways. Spanning three counties—Kildare, Carlow, and Kilkenny—the track is a sanctuary for both casual walkers and serious athletes, offering a tranquil environment that allows visitors to reflect and find solace amidst nature. The diverse landscape, featuring bullrushes, water irises, and changing textures underfoot, creates a picturesque backdrop for various outdoor activities.

The experience of kayaking on the river reveals a different aspect of this natural setting, with the ability to navigate rough waters and shallow areas. Observations of local wildlife, such as kingfishers, otters, and herons, enhance the connection to the environment. The narrator recounts personal experiences, including a memorable run with a friend that included an unexpected encounter with a man searching for a horse, illustrating the blend of reality and imagination that characterizes the Barrow Track.

Overall, the Barrow Track is depicted as a place where stories unfold and memories are created, providing a wholesome escape and a sense of healing for those who engage with its beauty.

Show Notes

On 'nature's infirmary', as it runs through the heart of the country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More from Sunday Miscellany

Oct 27, 2026

Remembering the old Harcourt Street Railway Line, and mourning its rapid disappearance from the landscape See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 27, 2026

How Eileen Gray created her modernist villa in 1920s France, and a visit to the crumbling house many decades later See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 27, 2026

Describing the Spanish ritual of the ‘paseo’, and comparing Sunday customs in Dublin and Barcelona See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 27, 2026

Recalling the simple pleasures of a favourite West Cork beauty spot, and wondering what might be lost as modern tourism rapidly develops See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 27, 2026

On a lifelong fascination with mountains, and the sense of awe and spiritual discovery they inspire See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See all episodes →