How Cliff Reid brought boat tours back to Athy

A sleety east wind was cutting bitterly across Emily Square towards the river on a grey afternoon last January when I met Cliff Reid on the Barrow quay. The water had an angry look about it, grey and forbidding, almost Baltic. Cliff greeted me with a smile as we stood on the jetty beside his pride and joy Saoirse ar an uisce, the purpose-built barge, which he had recently taken charge of.

My first impression on boarding the barge was one of concern. The vessel had a tired and sad look about it. Having lain up for some considerable length of time, the interior was drab and in need of a good overhaul. 

All of the hatches were open, exposing the skeletal ribs of the barge and the diesel engine was in need of some serious work. Cliff was undaunted, that is the kind of guy he is, give him a challenge and he will overcome it, as he has in the past. ‘

’I’ve faced worse, Dave,’’ he said, ‘’and got through it, twice.’’ 

To me, it just looked like a mammoth task.

Over the following few months, I kept on touch with Cliff, dropping in if I was passing to see how things were progressing. There were many dark days, engine problems, leaks, obstacles to overcome, assessments and a host of other issues, but he remained undaunted and as the winter faded and spring took hold along the riverbank, the barge began to take shape. 

A few days in dry dock in Nelson Street identified the engine issues and they were less serious than had been anticipated. While the boat was in the dock, a crew from Athy men’s shed came down and gave the hull a good lick of paint, leaks were repaired and the projected return to barge trips on the river in June now seemed within reach.

As work continued on getting the interior fitted out, Athy Rugby club were heading for their first provincial towns cup final in over 30 years. 

Cliff had played rugby with the club in his teens, so on the weekend of the final he worked through the night to have the barge painted blue and white for the final. So, as the sun rose over the sleeping town on that morning in April, Saoirse ar an uisce was decked out in the club colours in anticipation of an historic victory.

Last weekend, Cliff skippered his first passengers on barge trips down the river for the summer season, a testament to dedication, commitment and perseverance. 

The barge can accommodate up to 12 passengers and is fully wheelchair accessible. 

Cliff offers boat tours of varying lengths, including one, two and three-hour options for both public and private groups. The barge offers scenic views and experiences, including the opportunity to operate the lock gates and enjoy the local wildlife. For bookings, contact athyboattours.com or phone 087 2061999