We can’t know for certain, but it is quite probable that Arthur would have taken Charlotte out and about to get to know his home town of Banagher. (N.B. the ‘g’ in Banagher is silent!) There are places in the town which, more than likely, were of great interest to Charlotte given her interest in history and politics.
As she started to improve health wise, thanks mostly to Aunt Harriet’s kind nursing skills, the newlyweds probably strolled around the grounds of Cuba House and then on into town. If she was still feeling a tad tired, maybe they would have taken a pony and trap to get to see some of the historical places on offer in Banagher.
When we arrived in Banagher on a Sunday evening in August 2022 and looked down the Main Street, we thought there would be little of interest here. But how deceptive first impressions can be! We were to discover that Banagher is full of history, life and the most delightful and friendly people. Maybe Charlotte too discovered the same thing 168 years ago!
Banagher is in the Irish midlands.
Main Street in Banagher, 2022. It looks like nothing much is happening here and there might be little to see and do! But looks really can be most deceptive as we were to find out!
Banagher Main Street c 1900.
Banagher marina on the River Shannon lies at the bottom end of Main Street.
Banagher marina looking out along the River Shannon which is 224 miles (360 kms) long.
The bridge in Banagher crossing the River Shannon. The new bridge was opened in 1843 so Charlotte and Arthur probably strolled across it in 1854.
Banagher Bridge across the Shannon.
The bridge in Banagher.
Opened on 12th August 1843. Maybe Charlotte stopped to read this plaque as we did
Cruising on the Shannon past the Old Malt House formerly an 18th century flour mill.
Aerial view of the bridge at Banagher looking towards Main Street.
Once across the bridge maybe Arthur took Charlotte to see Cromwell’s Castle built c1650.
Here is the history board about the castle.
Maybe Arthur took Charlotte to see the Martello Tower on the other side of the bridge from the castle.
The British authorities in Ireland feared Napoleon might invade and so 50 Martello Towers were built between 1804-15 mostly around the coast. The Banagher tower is one of only two built inland to prevent Napoleon’s soldiers crossing the Shannon at Banagher with the aim of travelling on to Dublin.
Maybe they visited the Eliza Fort. Fears of a French landing at Galway Bay prompted the strategic defense of the Middle Shannon as a fall back line. The fort was modified in two phases between 1810-1814.
There are four recently installed replica guns inside Fort Eliza one of Banagher’s Napoleonic defences.
The replica guns in Fort Eliza.
Assuming Arthur and Charlotte strolled or rode into Banagher town these are some of the sites and sights she probably enjoyed with Arthur. He no doubt enjoyed telling Charlotte all about the fascinating history of each landmark. She, no doubt, would have been especially interested as in 1843 whilst under the tutelage of Monsieur Heger in Brussels, she had written an essay on the subject of genius in ‘The death of Napoleon’ in which she weighs Napoleon’s genius against that of her childhood hero and Napoleon’s conqueror, the Duke of Wellington.
Maybe Arthur took Charlotte to see the Martello Tower on the other side of the bridge from the castle.
Comments