The Last Leg

Forgot to clean my shoes after the last trip, so this was my starting state: deliciously crunchy shoes....

I rejoined the march at the old marshalling yard at Moyasta, en route for Kilkee, due west along the western branch line of the old South Clare railway.

After the marshes, and their inevitable mournful, sunken boat, the original rails ran out fairly quickly. I was then on a path, then a winding track, then the usual bog and briar. One section ran alongside the sea, and I diverted onto the beach for a few moments. Sometimes I had to follow the fox tracks alongside the line, where it was too overgrown with brambles and trees. Found a lovely skylark nest, and managed to photograph the eggs without touching it.

 One section in the middle was really pleasant, like a wander down an English country lane. But it didn't last. After a  bitter battle with a small forest plantation, I emerged next to the final stop but one, Blackweir Halt, now I suspect privately owned. It was still possible to see the old platform and what was once the line sunken next to it. There were still more obstacles to overcome in that last mile or two, including a missing bridge and a third cutting, which I ventured directly through this time. The deep green of its base should give a clue as to what was there…water, lots of water. Above the knee. How they could ever have drained these cuttings I do not know.

My journey ended at Kilkee, with its beautiful semi-circular harbour. My target was the last stop on the line until 1961: Kilkee station. The station itself is still standing, with its original canopy, though looking somewhat forlorn. At least it’s a protected building. The rest of the sidings and buildings have been supplanted by the "Percy French" housing estate.  There’s talk of reopening the line from Moyasta to here, though having walked it, I do have my doubts….especially about drainage.

Met international rescue there and had beer and seafood chowder. Not a bad end to a journey which started almost casually seven weekends ago.