All the Way by The Grand Canal

Stretching from Dublin right through the Midlands and west to the mighty Shannon, the Grand Canal was a stunning feat of engineering in the eighteenth century, vital for Ireland's trade and industry. Over two centuries later, the canal has a new life as a walking and cycling trail. Visitors can step back in time, enjoying the peace and quiet of yesteryear while discovering quirky humpbacked bridges and ivy-covered warehouses, in a landscape far removed from modern pressures. Jo Kerrigan examines