Lough Atalia, Galway

Lough Atalia is the name of a Lake in Galway City, Ireland.

• It is from Irish language words -
  • Loch d Uaile -  Lake of the Brine.
  • Loch an tSaile - Salty Lake
• It is Tidal
• Lough Atalia Bridge / Viaduct
• St. Augustine's Holy Well
• The Galway to Clifden Railway Line.
• There are stories about it also having an ingress of fresh Water, from beneath?
• To the south-east, a Street in Renmore, is named Lakeshore Drive.
• Borders, the Galway Harbour Enterprise Park.
  • A pleasant Walk way, was constructed when this Park was developed.
  • Shoring, was also done with Granite Rocks, tapering from the Water level, up to the Land.
• Small Gardens are also on this shore, and usually belong to People from across the Road - an extension of their property, if you like Well maintained, and pleasing to the Eye.
• A young Donegal Man, working locally at the time, has a Memorial Plaque dedicated to him. and is visible from the Road. He was a popular Character.
•  The main Railway Line (only) to and from Galway City, passes across and over its mouth. 
  • Known locally as "the Line".
• A Harbour (Quay) built of Limestone, is to its extreme north east.
  • This Harbour is thought to be one of the early construction elements of Lynch's Folly. Lynch was the name of that time, 1498, and his plan was to connect the Sandy / Terryland River to the Sea, in a more direct way, and via Lough Atalia.. Probably through the current grounds of the Mooneenageisha College?

Saint Augustine's  Holy Well

There is a Holy Well on its northern shore.

• Saint Augustine's. You can read more about here. 
• See Video on YT - almost submerged by the Tide.
• Coordinates.   53.276271 ,   -9.039625
• Have Google Earth?  Download a K.M.L.  
• Still attracts the devoted annually, on the last Sunday of July.
• You wouldn't even notice it, unless told, as it is under the Road level by ten feet maybe?
• Another religious Cross is by the shore. 
• Steps and a Handrail, lead the way down to it, and up from it.

 

Lough Atalia Bridge.

• Which bit is the Bridge?
  • Known as a Viaduct built and completed by 1851 
• One section, passes over the Road - Lough Atalia Road.
  • George Willoughby Hemans (G.W.), was the Civil Engineer in charge of this and the line from Athlone to it, as well as others. He was employed by the Midland Great Western Railway Company who had the Railway Line to Clifden also.
    Context.
    The Irish Famine was over - a Million dead -  future prospects were poor.  Something had to be done, to invigorate the West, and they thought that a Rail Line would be useful in term of the labour needed and its addition to the infrstructure.
    Mr. Hemans, also designed the Bridge in Athlone, which was also built in '51.
  • Short Video of this Bridge (2020).
  • UBG 171 
  • This Road beneath it was adjusted - lowered, April 2015, to facilitate the passage of large Wind Turbines . 
    • These Turbines were imported through Galway Docks and dispersed throughout the County, but mainly to Oughterard region. Height, wasn't the only impediment - the Blades were so long, that an alternate route through Eyre Square, would have meant the navigation of too many 90 degree turns, some with insufficient room..
    • Height reduction - 1.3 Metres.
  • The Bridge is a protected structure, but the Road is not?
  • Often hit with Lorries, accidentally.
  • Had a Cast Iron Moulding / facade - often broken. The Masonry is Limestone.
  • 53.272468,  -9.044117
• Another, over the main inlet / outlet point.
  • See Youtube Video.
  •  53.272121,   -9.043139
• One, over the minor and now basically obsolete Road to the Cholera / Fever Hospital (Sanatorium).
  • 53.271194°,   -9.038616   

    

• Another even, into the relatively new Housing Estate, known as Mellows Park.
  • This can be thought of as an extension of the Liam Mellows Barracks, in Renmore,  and was primarily for Defense Forces personnel.
  • UBG 168 
  • The Arch looks like it was removed, presumably to  build in pre-cast weight support, without raising its height profile
  •  53.272322,   -9.033068
• There is a small "Bridge" if you like, which drains the South of the Lake, and passes under that Railway Line, too.
  • This is too small for normal modes of Travel, but is well built none the less.
  •