Walking the Barrow Way

The ‘Barrow Way’ is a long-distance walking trail which follows the original towpath of the river. It is one of Ireland’s most scenic long distance trails but remains largely undiscovered.

Walking the Barrow Way is a very popular activity. The towpath was used for the pulling of barges and boats by horse in the past. The track along the Barrow starts at Lowtown, Co. Kildare and ends at St. Mullins, Co. Carlow covering a distance of 114 kilometres or 70 miles.

The path takes in the towns of Monasterevin, Athy, Carlow, Leighlinbridge, Bagenalstown, Goresbridge, Graiguenamanagh and St Mullins. The full walk of the path usually takes 4 days. Alternatively, the route can be divided into a series or more manageable stretches and covered in a series of day trips. Accommodation is available from 3 to 19 kilometres and varies from hotels to self-catering and bed & breakfasts.

The route of the Barrow Way offers excellent and varied walking to visitors, the ground is level throughout passing good farmland where tillage and cattle farming is predominant. The flat terrain is also ideal for cycling, although the ground is rough in areas. The route is abundant with architectural interest including bridges, many arched, and pretty lock houses, some still in use. Many historical features are located in close proximity to the river including castles, abbeys, old bridges and derelict mills.

At present, the route is most popular with day walkers who cover stretches of the path rather than one continuous walk.

The Barrow Way follows the towpath, originally a patch alongside the River Barrow where horses pulled barges and goods for transport. The full walk is in 6 stages and the walking is fairly easy with several small towns and villages along the way. It possible to walk fairly easily in 3-4 days or longer if you want to take your time and enjoy the amazing scenery of the rustic Irish countryside.

STAGE 1 of the Barrow Way starts in Robertstown, County Kildare and a distance of 23km takes you to Monasterevin. The raised banks of the canal offer beautiful vistas of the surrounding countryside with views of the Hill of Allen and the Wicklow Mountains.

STAGE 2 covers the stretch from Monasterevin to Athy – 23km. This stretch offers the visitor much of historical and architectural interest with many old bridges and houses.

STAGE 3 runs from Athy to Carlow – 19km. Starting from the heritage town of Athy, the route passes many interesting lifting bridges and old mills before reaching Carlow town.

STAGE 4 Carlow to Bagenalstown – 16km. Milford, 7km south of Carlow is one of the most attractive stretches along the River Barrow. Set in an idyllic location with three bridges, mill buildings and a large wooded area, it is famous as an triangle with regular spottings of herons and kingfishers. This stretch of walk is rich with historical buildings and castles and industrial gems in the town of Bagenalstown.

STAGE 5 takes the walker from Bagenalstown to Graiguenamanagh – 26km. This route passes the pretty villages of Goresbridge and Borris before ending in Graiguenamanagh, a picturesque abbey town and a popular boating centre. Overlooking the River Barrow is Duiske Abbey founded by Norman monks from Stanley Abbey, Wiltshire in 1204.

STAGE 6 Graiguenamanagh to St. Mullins – 6km. This stretch has beautiful woodland surroundings with a strong ecclesiastical theme in the religious settlement at St. Mullins where the walk ends. Set on a glorious stretch of the Barrow Valley, it includes a picnic area.

Waterways Ireland's map showing the locks and larger towns along the River Barrow. — Waterways Ireland’s map showing the locks and larger towns along the River Barrow.

Graiguenamanagh & St Mullins are favorite places to spend a few pleasant hours, take photos & get refreshments. Milford is a lovely quiet spot. I’ve linked in the text to individual pages which are also on the drop-down menu above.

> Hill walking info is at bottom of page

Background

I read recently that someone’s guest said “it’s like walking into a Constable painting” when first experiencing the Barrow Way. There’s nothing like it in Europe and quite a few mainland Europeans come here to experience the peaceful, natural atmosphere you get while walking beside the river.

113km (70 miles) in length, running beside the beautiful River Barrow, Ireland’s second longest river. By breaking the journey into manageable strolls (or even at at different times) you can enjoy one of Europe’s most beautiful walks beside the beautiful River Barrow. TIP: carry snacks & drinks if you are going far as there will be nowhere to stock up between villages & towns.

The Upper Reaches of the River Barrow

The River Barrow from the Grattan Bridge near Vicarstown, Co. Laois.

The Walk – Stage 1 Starts in Lowtown for a distance of 14 miles (23km) which takes you to the town of Monasterevin. The raised banks of the canal offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside with views of the Hill of Allen and the Wicklow Mountains.

Stage 2 Monasterevin to Athy – 14 miles (23km). This stretch offers the visitor much of architectural interest with many old bridges and houses. Athy Heritage Centre near the bridge is well worth a visit.

Athy, River Barrow. Can’t find the large version!

Stage 3 Athy to Carlow town – 12 miles (19km).
This is the first of four stretches which pass through the county of Carlow. We start off from the heritage town of Athy and pass many interesting lifting bridges and old mills. Maganey bridge marks the junction of Three Counties: Kildare, Laois and Carlow. A very scenic stretch of the river here and there’s more to come..

Maganey Bridge, River Barrow — Maganey Bridge.

Recommended on the Barrow Way | Walks & Destinations

Stage 4 Carlow to Bagenalstown 10 miles (16km).

Carlow Town has a number of interesting old buildings and a new Arts Centre plus lots of shops and 2 cinemas. From my point of view, one of the most impressive sights in Carlow town is the prehistoric Browneshill Dolmen with its enormous capstone – located on the Hackettstown Road out of town. The Barrow Valley was populated many thousands of years ago, the river being used for transport long before roads existed. The whole county has an array of prehistoric remains which are listed here. See also here.

Browneshill Dolmen, Carlow. Photo doctored in Photoshop but very impressive.

Milford

Milford, approximately 7 km south of Carlow town. Arguably, the most scenic stretch of the whole river begins here as you head South towards St Mullins.
Set in an idyllic location with three bridges, weir, large mill buildings and a large wooded area, Milford is an ideal antidote to driving on motorways. Otters, herons, dippers and kingfishers are often to be seen here – in fact I saw my first Irish otter here. Walk up to the lock if you have time, along the tree-shaded navigation canal bank. See video page for a short film I made here.

Leighlinbridge village

Leighlinbridge (pronounced Locklin Bridge) This stretch of our walk is rich with historical buildings, including the Black Castle at Leighlinbridge which was an important river crossing for centuries and said to be the oldest working bridge in Europe. Scientist John Tyndall was born here. A charming village, there are several shops & pubs. Cross the river by the Valerian Bridge and continue towards Bagenalstown via Rathellin Lock (shown below). Further downstream there are many architectural gems in the larger town of Bagenalstown. If you need supplies, there is a riverside Aldi here and a nice picnic area created by local community activists near the outdoor swimming pool – (pool open in high season only).

Rathellin Lock and Barrow Way — River Barrow, Rathellin Lock and the Barrow Way – near the swimming pool.

Stage 5 Bagenalstown to Graiguenamanagh – 16 miles (26km).

Carrie-Ann passing through the Railway Viaduct in Bagenalstown

Goresbridge Village

A small village with a Petrol Station / Deli / Shop for supplies. plus a couple of pubs. Recently the riverside area on the Kilkenny side has been developed into a lovely mooring & picnic area by the local community. There are riverside walks in either direction on the Carlow side, along the Barrow Way.

Borris Village

The village of Borris nestles in the foothills of the Blackstairs mountains and has retained its Georgian buildings and charms of former days.

Walkers: There is a petrol station / shop on the road to Bagenalstown where you can buy coffee & snacks or continue uphill towards Borris village shops & the viaduct.

bridge, Borris Estate, river Barrow — Kavanagh Harbour Bridge, Borris Estate, River Barrow. Accessible from Ballytiglea.

Ballytiglea, near Borris village. The Barrow Way beside the river.

Clashganny Lock & Weir

Walk or drive through Borris, following the road & river to Clashganny – a popular spot for kayakers, swimming & walking. Look for a sign to Clashganny restaurant on your right to reach the lock and car park.

Graiguenamanagh town

Many Graiguenamanagh shops have kept their traditional fronts and the local public houses have earned nationwide recognition for their friendly, old world atmosphere. Our walk ends here in Graiguenamanagh, a picturesque abbey town. The name means ‘Grange of the Monks’ in Irish. The beautiful, restored medieval abbey is well worth a look inside. There are ancient high crosses in the graveyard. Locally the town is known simply as ‘Graig’

The lock at Tinnahinch. There is also an old castle here. — The lock at Tinnahinch. There is also an old castle here as it was the original river crossing point before the bridge was built.

Stage 6 Graiguenamanagh to St. Mullins – 4 miles (6km).

Lower Tinnahinch Lock – perfect for an Autumn stroll through a Constable painting.

St. Mullins

This lovely riverside stretch has beautiful woodland surroundings with a strong ecclesiastical theme in the religious settlement at St. Mullins. The St Mullins complex includes a medieval church ruin, the base of a round tower and the former Church of Ireland church, built in 1811, which now hosts a heritage centre (often closed). Many 1798 United Irishmen men are buried here and the area has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries, especially during the Plague. It continues to attract pilgrims even today.

Walk back along the riverside to your right to find St Mullins Lock.