Suck Valley Trail Saints, sinners and serpent
A valley full of secrets
The Suck river meanders ponderously as it makes it way down towards the Shannon. To the left is Galway and to the right is Roscommon. It\’s a valley that is renowned to fisherman across Europe, but it has some interesting historical facts associated with it. Did you know the finest ancient treasure in Ireland was made here, that this was destined to be the training hub for law and order or that Ireland’s greatest orator gave his last speech in these parts? \’Ireland\’s Hidden Heartlands\’ is not just a fancy brand name, it is an accurate reminder that along the banks of Ireland\’s mightiest river and its main arteries lie some of the great tales and legends that make this part of the island so beguiling.
You can now enjoy on tour on the move complete with GPS coordinates via our Audioboom tours which works on all podcast platforms or our dedicated Spotify playlist – scroll through to hear each audio piece. We\’ve remixed and rebooted this tour for 2022 and believe it has not lost any of its charms in the years since it was recorded thanks to the speakers on offer.
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Saints, sinners and a serpent
Beyond this, there are tales regarding saints from St. Ciaran to St. Coman, of dastardly landlords and inventive publicans and of the serpentine-like river itself giving the trail its subtitle of \’Saints, sinners and a serpent\’. The good, the bad and the ugly has all passed through this area and we aim to tell you some of the more colourful stories from over the centuries in the hands of Eamonn Gleeson and a man who can both see and maybe even raise Eamonn on the talking stakes in the form of Fuerty farmer, Charlie Clarke.
His famous sister, the poet Jane Clarke can be heard laughing heartily throughout the evening\’s many high points. From Athleague to Castlestrange, Fuerty to Castlecoote, join us on a journey that has scenery that is both haunting and ethereal in the hands of two great raconteurs.