Wonderful wide-open country in Co Kildare
3 min
Where history and wildlife combine
3 min
Unusual industries on the bogs over the last 150 years
2 min
Idyllic Monasterevin has an historic network of waterways and bridges.
3 min
Barrow inspired English poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins
3 min
How to build a canal, and haul a heavy load.
5 min
The noise! The cars! And they're off!
4 min
Explorer Ernest Shackleton was from near Athy.
5 min
Handsome Jack St Leger from Grangemellon Castle
3 min
How an Act in 1536 helped to make the river accessible for boats.
3 min
The tragic story of the Elizabethan Shrule Castle
2 min
Sugar, slavery and working heritage.
6 min
The surprising story of how Carlow Castle came to be destroyed.
5 min
Carlow's role in an unusual Irish contribution to civilisation
4 min
How coal and lime were once shipped out from Clogrennan on the Barrow.
4 min
The old mill that is working again, generating electricity.
2 min
A hidden treasure, well worth a visit in Old Leighlin.
3 min
The delightful historic village of Leighlinbridge.
3 min
One of the greatest scientists of the 19th century was from Leighlinbridge.
3 min
Walter Bagenal had great plans for his new town in the 1700s.
3 min
The massive railway bridge over the Barrow.
2 min
Some of the invasive species that are colonising the river and riverbank.
3 min
Now quiet, Ballyellen was once very industrious.
2 min
In 1812, there were plans to build a canal from Goresbridge to Castlecomer
3 min
Borris House is a hidden gem, with fascinating stories -- well worth a visit.
6 min
Canoeing is one of the best ways to see the Barrow. And Clashganna is a popular spot.
2 min
Traditional wooden boats, and an oddly-named rocky crag near Graiguenamanagh
2 min
The mediaeval monastic town Graiguenamanagh, and historic Tinnahinch
3 min
Hear the sounds from the historic woollen mills in Graiguenamanagh
5 min
Jim Butler, 3rd-generation lock keeper, on growing up at Tinnahinch Lock.
4 min
Local people love this intriguing stone chair, near Carriglead Lock.
2 min
The last lock on the river -- the water is salty, and tidal from here
2 min
Idyllic now, this was once a thriving port and grain mill.
5 min
This fascinating mediaeval village is a gem -- well worth a visit.
6 min
A traditional boatman's song from Graiguenamanagh, our theme song for this guide.
3 minThe peaceful Barrow Way is one of Ireland’s loveliest way-marked trails. The path stretches from the heart of Ireland to the majestic Barrow estuary at St Mullins, along 114 km of canal and river towpath -- and nearly all of it is off-road. You’ll discover history, wildlife and tranquillity on a journey rich in hidden treasures and heritage villages, ruined castles and thatched cottages, and countryside that is home to kingfishers and otters. The towpath dates from the 1700s, when the Barrow navigation and canal were built. You can now walk, cycle or paddle a canoe along this formerly working waterway. Spend a few hours enjoying part of the way, or a memorable week exploring the whole trail. NOTE: each audio track covers a stretch of the way, so in general we have placed the map marker around the mid-point of that section. This guide is brought to you Ingenious Ireland and Waterways Ireland, the guardians of Ireland's inland waterways.
Learn more about the platform, how to create guided tours and distribute your content.
Start here
Working…
