Carlow

Discover peaceful scenery, spot historical sights and explore the beautiful countryside around the Barrow Way on this unchallenging 11 km walk between Carlow and Leighlinbridge. 

As you leave Carlow Town, the Barrow Way crosses to the right bank of the river as it heads south from the Graiguecullen Bridge. On the east bank, you’ll see Carlow Castle – this historic structure was built by Normal settler William Marshall, then accidentally destroyed in the 19th century when an attempt to refurbish it, using explosives, spectacularly failed.

Continuing on, the towpath leads you to Carlow Lock before rejoining the river as you leave the town behind you, and emerge into vibrant farmland. 

As the towpath passes Clogrennan Weir and joins a long side channel, you’ll walk past bustling hedgerows teeming with bramble, blackthorn and elder. Follow the towpath through the yard of a lock house, where up ahead you’ll pass the ruins of 15th century Clogrennan Castle. You’ll also see 19th century Cloydagh Church ahead. 

Soon, the towpath leaves the road, and a lush, green side canal will bring you to scenic Milford Lock and Bridge, where the river splits around small islands. Across the river is the imposing facade of Milford Mills, which was destroyed by a fire in 1862. In the 1890s, a turbine was used to generate electricity that powered street lighting in Carlow town. Hydroelectricity is still produced here today. 

As you emerge back to the river, you’ll see tall, thick woods on the far bank. The towpath passes beneath the M9 motorway, then splits around the Orchard Islands. Continue past hedgerows rich with willow and alder until you arrive down a short side channel to the weir and lock at Rathvinden. Then, go under Cardinal Moran Bridge, and the Barrow Way eventually reaches Leighlinbridge (pronounced Lock-len-bridge). Part of the bridge here is said to date back to the 1320s, and this pretty village is the perfect place for a drink or a short stroll.