SNIPPET: Christine Jones IRISH, a writer on travel, local history and environmental issues for Northwestern magazines, and who lives in the State of Oregon, has a piece with many photos in an issues of Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine a handful of years ago. Despite her surname, she states her husband is of Scandinavian descent. After staying in Dublin city for a few days and enjoying the music in pubs and watching sailboat races on Dublin Bay, meeting friendly people at every turn, Christine and her husband, boating enthusiasts, rented a car and headed south to meet her mother's cousin, stopping in New Ross to see the replica of the famine ship "Dunbrody" that "carried Granda LYONS to America," and further south to Duncannon, where she played at the sea shore as a child. They drove on to Ballyhack to visit the remnants of a castle Grandma had described and the cemetery where her parents are buried. Taking their time, they drove through Waterford, Cork and Killarney and enjoyed the incredible beauty of the Dingle Peninsula - Dingle, its stirring music, good company in the pubs, horseback riding and sailing, gourmet or common fare to satisfy any appetite. One of the highlights of their trip was a peaceful, unhurried trip down the River Barrow on a chartered canal boat from Vicarstown, Co. Laois. They discovered that Athy, although it didn't look like much more than a string of warehouses from the bow of the boat - many of them empty witness to the once prosperous grain and malt trade on the river - was a town unspoiled and friendly. Through the locks at Athy the next morning they transitioned out of the Grand Canal and into the River Barrow, having received a few rudimentary instructions ("clean the weed catcher"). They soon mastered the simple mechanics of letting themselves through the locks, drinking in the scenery along the way. The river stretched out before them, a shimmering ribbon of green, the vistas ever changing, each more beautiful than the last. To their delight, they discovered a true river culture alive and well, the villages and towns along the Barrow having retained a deep connection to the river and they were able to tie up close to the towns along the waterfront and at no cost. An idyllic view of Carlow Castle amid overhanging trees prompted them to stretch their legs and explore the ruins of Carlow Castle. The River Barrow at Carlow town with its rushing waters at the wier, elegant bridge in the background, neat riverside houses, had still waters where they could tie up and explore the town. The town of Leighlinbridge in early October was a feast for the eyes with its colorful gardens and hanging flower baskets, and Lord Bagenal's Inn proved to be a warm and hospitable wateringhole. In Bagenalstown, they enjoyed making the acquaintance of the local lockkeeper who shared many river stories. Christine found that these old lock-keepers' cottages, each with their own unique and bittersweet history, spoke to her in whispers of solitude, contentment and grace. The couple felt particularly welcome in the beautiful medieval river town of Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny, against the incredible backdrop of Brandon Hill and the Leinster mountains.where they investigated the restored Duiske Abbey and explored the lush countryside.