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Posted by By the Banks on July 29, 2003 at 14:22:58: In Reply to: Town River posted by O'Ryan on July 29, 2003 at 12:28:38: Well I was always led to believe that the walled banks were constructed using convict labour so maybe someone can cross reference prison or convict records with that ? It might have been in the 1700's because according to the 1839 map (see link) the river was taking it's present course even then. http://www.castlebar.ie/photos/old/murrisk/ordnancemaps/gallery/index/Castlebar1839comp.html Personally I was always of the opinion that the town river originally went from barrack bridge straight through what is now the Car Park and through the dip at the bottom of Castle Street. This would have afforded a natural barrier for the Castle when it was located where the Military barracks or Convent is now, plus a ready water supply. Granted the current river takes two 90 degree turns to get through the town at present so one would have to think the hand of man was involved at some stage. http://www.castlebar.ie/cbrmaptl.htm There used to be a topographical map of Castlebar on the website (but I can't find it) showing the gradient of the town area. I guess this would show if it were possible that the town river took a different route originally.
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