Length & No of Locks
65km from Athy to St Mullins with 23 locks

Opening Hours of Locks
Daylight Hours

Navigational Criteria
Length: 18.5m
Beam: 3.9m
Draft: In summer can be as low as 0.76m
Airdraft: 2.58m over a width of 2.4m
Lowest Bridge: Carlow Bridge

Draft dimensions are given as a guide only and cannot be guaranteed.

Permits
On the Barrow Navigation boats must display a valid Permit. An Annual Permit can be purchased which includes mooring and lock passage charges. For shorter periods of travel boaters can purchase monthly Mooring Permits and pay for lock passages on an individual basis.

Lock Passage: €0.60 per lock
Mooring: €12.70 per month
Annual Permit: €126.00 per annum

Permits can be purchased from the following Waterways Ireland locations:

Eastern Regional Office
Floor 2 Block C
Ashtowngate
Navan Road
Dublin 15
Tel no +353 (0)1 868 0148

Lockkeeper at Fenniscourt
Tel no +353 87 951 6333

Lockkeeper at Graiguenamanagh
Tel no +353 87 950 8987

Locks
All the locks on the Barrow Navigation are operated manually. Please ensure you have a lock key to operate the lock, adequate crew to manage your boat, and good stop ropes and mooring ropes. Lock keys at a cost of €25 can be purchased from the Eastern Regional Office and the Grand Canal Depot in Tullamore. The lock-keepers can be contacted at the following numbers:

• Locks: Ardreigh, Levitstown
  Noel Cross, Lock 27, Athy
  Tel no +353 87 951 0777
• Locks: Maganey, Bestfield, Carlow, Clogrennan, Milford
  William O'Neill, Carlow
  Tel no +353 87 951 1444
• Locks: Rathvindon, Rathelllin, Muine Bheag, Fenniscourt, Slyguff, Upper Ballyellen
  John O'Neill, Near Fenniscourt Lock
  Tel no +353 87 951 6333
• Locks: Lower Ballyellen, Ballytiglea, Borris, Ballingrane, Clashganna
  Patrick Gill, Clashganna
  Tel no +353 87 951 6600
• Locks: Ballykennan (double), Upper Tinnahinch, Lower Tinnahinch, Carriglead, St Mullins
  James Butler, Upper Tinnahinch
  Tel no +353 87 950 8987

Mooring Time Limits
On the Barrow Navigation a boat can moor at the same public mooring or within 500 metres of the same place for 5 days.

Slipways
Slipways to gain access to the waterway are to be found at various locations along the waterway. Please contact the Waterways Ireland Eastern Regional Office for up to date information.

Speed Limit
6km/h on the Lateral Canals
11km/h on the river section

Your Wash
You are asked to consider the wash of your boat and its effect on others. All engine-powered boats create a wave of water, known as a wash, which flows outwards from the boat as it moves forward. Look behind you frequently to check the effect that your wash is having on other users. You are advised to reduce your speed in narrow channels to prevent bank erosion, damage to reed beds and destruction of birds' nests among reed and bank habitats. Slow down where boats are moored, when approaching quays, jetties or locks or where water activities are taking place.

Fuel Points
Fuel is available from petrol stations at Graiguenamanagh, Bagenalstown and Goresbridge.

Maintenance Works
Maintenance works on the waterways are, where possible, carried out during the winter. When navigating any waterway between 1 November and 17 March you are advised to contact Waterways Ireland Operations Division or the Inspectorate before making your journey to confirm that the waterway is open.

Entrance to the Barrow Navigation from the Sea
All boats entering the River Barrow from the sea travel via the Estuary which is under the authority of the Port of Waterford. It is a major commercial port and you are advised to contact the Harbour Master for information in advance of navigating this channel.
Tel no +353 (0)51 874 907
Email: pc@portofwaterford.com
Web: www.portofwaterford.com

The tidal navigation upstream from the railway bridge at New Ross to St. Mullins comes under the authority of the Port of New Ross. It is also a busy port and you are advised to contact the Harbour Master for information on moorings and shipping traffic.
Tide tables are also available from this office Tel no +353 (0)51 421 303.

For further information on navigating and boat queries contact the Inspectorate:

Inspector of Navigation
Waterways Ireland, The Docks, Athlone, Co Westmeath
Tel no +353 (0)90 649 4232

Assistant Inspector of Navigation
Waterways Ireland, Harbour Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly
Tel no +353 (0)57 935 2300