I EVENTUALLY LOCATED CORBALLY BATHS
DISCOVERING CORBALLY BATHS [A JOURNEY ALONG BOTH BANKS OF THE SHANNON RIVER]
My prior visits to Limerick always piqued my curiosity about a little-known feature on the River Shannon: the Corbally Baths. Despite my interest, I consistently failed to locate them, mistakenly assuming they were much further from the city centre than they actually are. In 2022, an attempt to access them via Mill Road proved fruitless; the road seemed interminably long, and the inclement weather certainly didn't help.
A More Fortuitous Attempt
This year, while staying at the Absolute Hotel, I embarked on another quest. My initial objective was Athlunkard Bridge, rather than the baths themselves. Upon reaching the bridge, I discovered steps leading down to a riverside walkway. Unfortunately, this path soon led to a dead end.
Seeking guidance, I asked a passer-by about the baths. To my surprise, I was informed that I was on the wrong side of the Shannon, actually in County Clare! This underscored the importance of geographical awareness when exploring riverside locations.
Unearthing the Past
Retracing my steps, I recrossed Athlunkard Bridge. With some difficulty, I located a set of steps hidden behind a derelict structure. These steps descended to a much older, concrete pathway, which appeared to be from the Victorian era.
After a walk of approximately ten to fifteen minutes along this intriguing path, I finally stumbled upon the old open-air baths. They could best be described as derelict, a poignant reminder of their former glory. What truly surprised me was the complete absence of other people in the immediate vicinity, adding to the sense of discovering a forgotten relic.
Navigation and Further Exploration
The person I'd spoken to earlier on the Clare side of the river had suggested continuing past the baths, across an old pedestrian bridge, until reaching the river end of Mill Road. However, I found the walk along Mill Road to be rather uninteresting, primarily due to recently constructed high stone walls that obscured views of large, expensive homes.
Upon my return to the hotel, the receptionist offered a helpful tip: a bus service with a stop at Athlunkard Bridge. This information would have significantly simplified my journey and is certainly worth noting for future visitors.
My prior visits to Limerick always piqued my curiosity about a little-known feature on the River Shannon: the Corbally Baths. Despite my interest, I consistently failed to locate them, mistakenly assuming they were much further from the city centre than they actually are. In 2022, an attempt to access them via Mill Road proved fruitless; the road seemed interminably long, and the inclement weather certainly didn't help.
A More Fortuitous Attempt
This year, while staying at the Absolute Hotel, I embarked on another quest. My initial objective was Athlunkard Bridge, rather than the baths themselves. Upon reaching the bridge, I discovered steps leading down to a riverside walkway. Unfortunately, this path soon led to a dead end.
Seeking guidance, I asked a passer-by about the baths. To my surprise, I was informed that I was on the wrong side of the Shannon, actually in County Clare! This underscored the importance of geographical awareness when exploring riverside locations.
Unearthing the Past
Retracing my steps, I recrossed Athlunkard Bridge. With some difficulty, I located a set of steps hidden behind a derelict structure. These steps descended to a much older, concrete pathway, which appeared to be from the Victorian era.
After a walk of approximately ten to fifteen minutes along this intriguing path, I finally stumbled upon the old open-air baths. They could best be described as derelict, a poignant reminder of their former glory. What truly surprised me was the complete absence of other people in the immediate vicinity, adding to the sense of discovering a forgotten relic.
Navigation and Further Exploration
The person I'd spoken to earlier on the Clare side of the river had suggested continuing past the baths, across an old pedestrian bridge, until reaching the river end of Mill Road. However, I found the walk along Mill Road to be rather uninteresting, primarily due to recently constructed high stone walls that obscured views of large, expensive homes.
Upon my return to the hotel, the receptionist offered a helpful tip: a bus service with a stop at Athlunkard Bridge. This information would have significantly simplified my journey and is certainly worth noting for future visitors.