Shannon Steamers

'Lady Betty Balfour'at Athlone Docks

'The Lady Betty Balfour' was a well known steamer on the Shannon at the turn of the twentieth century. She was built in Scotland for the Shannon Development Company and according to local tradition this picture was taken on the Docks in Athlone c1910. The occasion is said to have been the annual outing for the staff of Thomas Burgess & Sons. The firm of Thomas Burgess & Sons is still flourishing in Athlone having taken over the stock-in-trade of Matthew Headen in 1839. The picture captures the atmosphere of an Edwardian group heading to Lough Ree possibly to picnic on one of the islands.

© Westmeath Library Service

'Lady Betty Balfour'at Athlone Docks
© Westmeath Library Service

'Lady Betty Balfour'at Athlone Docks

'The Lady Betty Balfour' was a well known steamer on the Shannon at the turn of the twentieth century. She was built in Scotland for the Shannon Development Company and according to local tradition this picture was taken on the Docks in Athlone c1910. The occasion is said to have been the annual outing for the staff of Thomas Burgess & Sons. The firm of Thomas Burgess & Sons is still flourishing in Athlone having taken over the stock-in-trade of Matthew Headen in 1839. The picture captures the atmosphere of an Edwardian group heading to Lough Ree possibly to picnic on one of the islands.

© Westmeath Library Service

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In the 1850s when competition between the MGWR and GS&WR was at its height the directors of the MGWR had become involved in the steamer business. Originally offering a service to Limerick from railway stations in Co. Clare they then introduced excursions which included rail and streamer travel.

In 1857 a steamer called 'Midland' operated between Athlone and Lough Derg.

The same year two old paddle steamers were brought in from Scotland.

They were brought to Limerick where they were dismantled before being sent to Athlone to be reassembled as 'modern' steamers. One was called 'The Duchess of Argyle' and the other the 'Artizan'.

Other companies became involved including the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company.

Among the most famous 19th century Shannon steamers were: 'Lady Burgoyne', 'Lady Lansdowne', 'Lady Betty Balfour'