Walking

Barrow Navigation

Barrow Navigation: Walking

Riverbanks fringed with swaying reeds, an abundance of wildlife from moorhens to otters, and a landscape cloaked in a rich palette of green, makes walking along the River Barrow the ultimate in escapism…

Whether you fancy ambling around the historic treasures of the Rathangan, Athy and Carlow, or you want to immerse yourself in wild beauty along the towpaths of the River Barrow, this part of the island is an ideal place to enjoy on foot.

Walking here never feels like too much of an effort, thanks to the gentle flat riverbanks and quiet trails but if you feel like something more strenuous, there are plenty of hikes, too.

Our advice? Leave the car behind, pack a picnic and embark on a section of the Barrow Way, which weaves past pretty lockkeeper's cottages, gently flowing waters and gushing weirs. It's the perfect antidote to the fast-paced whirr of modern life.

Self Guided

Self Guided
Tour Guided

Robertstown - Rathangan

14km

3.5 - 4.5 hrs

Moderate

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Rathangan - Monasterevin

10.5km

2.5 - 3.5 hours

Easy

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Monasterevin - Vicarstown

12km

3 - 4 hours

Easy

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Vicarstown - Athy

10.5km

2.5 - 3.5 hours

Easy

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Athy - Maganey

10.5km

2.5 - 3.5 hours

Easy

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Maganey - Carlow Town

8.5km

2 to 3 hours

Easy

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Carlow Town - Leighlinbridge

11km

2.5 - 3.5 hours

Easy

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Leighlinbridge - Goresbridge

14.5km

3.5 - 5 hours

Moderate

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Goresbridge - Graiguenamanagh

14.5km

3.5 - 5 hours

Moderate

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THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO TOUR GUIDED TRAILS AVAILABLE

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Pure Adventure

The Quay,
Graiguenamanagh,
Co. Kilkenny

NO EVENTS HAVE BEEN FOUND

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General Notices
Waterways Ireland manages the Barrow Navigation under the No. 3/1986 – Canals Act, 1986; which details the duties, powers and responsibilities of the organisation and the boat owner.
Bridges
Airdraft: 2.58m over a width of 2.4m*
Lowest Bridge: Carlow Bridge
*for guidance only
Dry Docks
Location
Athy (Barrow Line of the Grand Canal) CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO WORKS
Cost
€13.90 per day + security deposit of €250
Payment can be made by either cash or cheque to the Tullamore Office as part of the application procedure for the Dry Docks located on the Canals.
Accessibility:
Waterways Ireland Dry Docks are suitable for flat bottomed vessels only. Any other hull shape will require a shoring/propping certification by a qualified person, before entry will be permitted into the dry dock. Some dry docks may require pumping out prior to use and to a lesser degree during usage. It will be the responsibility of the person hiring the dry dock to have this carried out.
Preparation:
Before hiring a Waterways Ireland's dry dock facility to carry out boat repairs read the General Regulations Relating to the Use of Dry Docks.
Application Process:
Make an application a minimum of 30 days before the facility is needed.
Complete the Application Form
Attach an Insurance Verification Letter
For more information or to return hard copy forms
Primary Contact: Paul Smyth paul.smyth@waterwaysireland.org
Secondary Contact: Paul Carroll paul.carroll@waterwayireland.org

Address: Waterways Ireland, Harbour Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly
Find out more about Dry Docks here.
Electricity & Water
Electricity is not available on public moorings on the Barrow. Fuel is available from petrol stations at Graiguenamanagh, Bagenalstown and Goresbridge.
Inspectorate
The Waterways Ireland Inspectorate are responsible for the enforcement of the Bye-laws relating to each waterway. They issue Marine Notices, Permits and enforce compliance with the bye-laws as required. The Assistant Inspector responsible for the Barrow Navigation is Liam Sherringham, Harbour St, Tullamore Co Offaly Tel no +353 (087) 286 5726 or email liam.sherringham@waterwaysireland.org
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 Harbour St. in Tullamore.
Length & No of Locks
65km from Athy to St Mullins with 23 locks
Opening Hours of Locks: Daylight Hours
Navigation Dimensions: Length of locks: 18.5m / Beam of locks: 3.9m
Draft: In summer can be as low as 0.76m
Draft dimensions are given as a guide only and cannot be guaranteed.
For assistance with locks, contact the lock-keepers on the numbers below:
Ardreigh - Maganey
Noel Cross
(087) 951 0777
Bestfield - Bagenalstown
William O'Neill
(087) 951 1444
Fenniscourt - Borris
John O'Neill
(087) 951 6333
Ballingrane - St. Mullins
Patrick Gill
(087) 951 6600
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.
For further information on navigating and boat queries contact the Inspectorate:
Assistant Inspector of Navigation
Waterways Ireland, Harbour Street, Tullamore, Co Offaly
Tel no +353 (087) 286 5726
Marine Notices
Marine Notices are used by Waterways Ireland to inform the public of changes to the usage of the waterways and may be permanent or temporary. Temporary notices are followed by a withdrawal notice to inform customers of the end to the impediment to navigation. If you would like to receive marine notices by email, send a request to inspectorate.athlone@waterwaysireland.org
Marine Notices
Permits and Registration
On the Barrow Navigation all boats must display a valid Combined Mooring and Passage Permit. This annual Permit includes mooring and lock passage charges and is the only permit required if boats intend to cruise continuously staying five days or less in any one location. Boats intending to stay more than five days in any one location will require an Extended Mooring Permit.
Combined Mooring & Passage Permit €126 / Extended Mooring & Passage €152
Permits can be purchased on the basis of a completing the online application.
Public Mooring Time Limits
On the Barrow Navigation a boat holding a Combined Mooring & Passage Permit can moor at the same public mooring or within 500 metres of the same place for 5 days.
Service Blocks
A service block has been partially opened at Clashganny with toilets male & female changing rooms and shower rooms.
Currently (2015) the showers are not yet commissioned.
The toilets and changing rooms are open as follows:
Summer (Apr-Oct) 09:00-19:00
Winter (Nov-mid March) 10:00-15:00
End March 10:00-17:00
A member of Waterways Ireland staff opens and closes these facilities. As yet the Smart Card system is not operational for this service block.
Slipways
Slipways are provided at the following locations to facilitate access to the Barrow Navigation:
Graiguecullen Park, Carlow Town
Clogrennan
Leighlinbridge
Bagenalstown
Goresbridge
Graiguenamanagh
Smart Cards
Smart cards are used to operate the locks on the Shannon-Erne Waterway and the Shannon Navigation and service blocks along the waterways. The cards are also used to gain access to the service blocks and to use the services.
Services use the following number of units:
• Locks: 1 unit (Shannon-Erne Waterway)
• Locks: 2 units (Shannon Navigation)
• Bridges: 2 units (Shannon Navigation)
• Pump-outs: 2 units
• Showers: 2 units
• Chemical Toilets: 2 units
• Washing Machines: 5 units
• Tumble Dryers: 5 units
• 2kwh Electricity: 1 unit
The smart cards cost €6.35 for a 10Unit card or €12.70 for a 20Unit card and can be purchased from the Patrollers, Lockkeepers, Waterways Ireland’s online shop www.shopwaterwaysireland.org and retail outlets along the waterway. Information on all outlets can be found here.
Speed Limit and 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.
Entering the waterway 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.

Posted: 26/05/2023

Marine Notice No 45 of 2023 - Grand Canal – Barrow Line - Athy - Lock 26 – Cardington Lock - Closed for maintenance – Tues 30 May to Friday 02 June 2023

Notice Number 45 of 2023

Posted: 22/05/2023

Marine Notice No 42 of 2023 - Barrow Navigation - Carlow - Dragon Boat Regatta - 11 June 2023

Notice Number 42 of 2023

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Ardreigh - Maganey	Noel Cross	(087) 951 0777
Bestfield - Bagenalstown	William O'Neill	(087) 951 1444
Fenniscourt - Borris	John O'Neill	(087) 951 6333
Ballingrane - St. Mullins	Patrick Gill	(087) 951 6600