Overview
The Barrow Way is a National Waymarked Trail that runs 116.9 km from Robertstown in County Kildare to St Mullins in County Carlow – Lowtown, often given as the start, is really the next point down the line. It follows the towpaths of the Barrow Navigation, beginning along the canal before joining the River Barrow proper at Athy. Graded easy, the route stays close to river level the whole way; there are no climbs to speak of, which makes it one of the more forgiving long trails in the country for casual walkers, families and cyclists.
The path is marked with a yellow arrow on a black background, and dogs are welcome on a lead. The full route is a four-day walk, but there is no need to take it on in one go – most people break it into out-and-back sections using the towns along the river as bases. If you only want a taste, the wooded final stretch from Graiguenamanagh to St Mullins is the prettiest short walk on the whole trail.
Trail Sections & Highlights
The Barrow Way passes through four counties – Kildare, Laois, Carlow and Kilkenny – but stays rural and water-focused the whole way. Each stage has its own character:
- Robertstown to Monasterevin (23 km): The opening section follows the Grand Canal and then the Barrow Line, with open views toward the Hill of Allen. The Rock of Dunamase, in County Laois, is a worthwhile detour a few kilometres west of the line rather than a sight on the towpath itself.
- Monasterevin to Athy (23 km): This stretch transitions to the river proper, passing historic stone bridges, well-preserved lock-keeper cottages, and quiet canal-side villages.
- Athy to Carlow (19 km): You’ll encounter engineered landmarks like lifting bridges and old watermills before reaching the county town. Athy makes a natural halfway stop, with a train station, heritage centre, and plenty of cafes.
- Carlow to Bagenalstown (16 km): The route crosses the famous three bridges at Milford, a favourite spot for birdwatchers, before reaching Leighlinbridge and its Black Castle.
- Bagenalstown to Graiguenamanagh (26 km): The longest stage takes you past Goresbridge and the quiet village of Borris, finishing at Duiske Abbey, founded in 1204.
- Graiguenamanagh to St Mullins (6 km): A short, wooded finale leads to the medieval monastic settlement at St Mullins, where a round-tower base and heritage centre mark the official trail end.
History & Heritage
The Barrow Way traces a waterway that has shaped the region for centuries. The River Barrow, Ireland’s second-longest river, was made navigable in the 18th century through a series of short canal cuts and locks. The trail’s early section follows the Barrow Line Canal, a branch of the Grand Canal engineered to connect inland waterways to the River Barrow at Athy.
Walking the towpath feels like moving through a living archive. The corridor holds evidence of Neolithic farming communities, Anglo-Norman fortifications, and medieval monastic foundations. Key heritage stops include Carlow Castle and the Cathedral of St Carthage in Carlow town, the 13th-century ruins at Dúnamase, and the abbey church at Duiske. Many of the villages retain their original street layouts and stone-fronted shops, reflecting centuries of trade and river traffic.
Wildlife & Nature
The flat, grassy towpath and slow-moving river make good conditions for wildlife. Spring and early summer bring the riverbanks to life with flag iris, meadowsweet, ragged robin and purple loosestrife. The stretch around Milford, where the weir and old bridges break the flow, is one of the better spots for birdlife: herons, kingfishers and moorhens are all regular, and otters turn up on the quieter reaches.
Keep a respectful distance from nesting birds along the banks in spring and early summer. Walkers and cyclists should also note that the mixed surface – grassy towpath, compacted clay and gravel – turns soft after heavy rain, so sturdy footwear is worth having.
Practical Information
Waymarking & Surface: Look for the yellow arrow on a black background. The surface is mostly grassy, with sections of compacted clay and gravel. Temporary fencing or gravel upgrades occasionally appear during maintenance; these are clearly signposted with side-road diversions.
Parking & cycling: There is parking at the main towns along the route – Athy, Vicarstown, Monasterevin, Rathangan and Lowtown – which makes short there-and-back walks easy to set up. The towpath is popular with cyclists too, and the Barrow Blueway, a 46 km shared walking and cycling route from Lowtown to Athy, has been upgrading the surface along that stretch. The Way also links up with the Grand Canal Way at Robertstown and shares its route with the South Leinster Way between Borris and Graiguenamanagh.
Maps & Audio Guide: Free PDF stage maps are available from the official Sport Ireland page, covering each section from Lowtown to St Mullins. A complimentary audio guide, split into 35 short tracks, can be downloaded via the GuidiGO app through Ingenious Ireland. The guide works offline and provides historical context, navigation tips, and local stories.
Best Time to Visit: The trail is open year-round. April through September offers the longest daylight hours and the most reliable footing, though the flat profile means the route remains walkable in winter provided you dress for the weather.
Contact & Resources:
- Managing body: Waterways Ireland, Floor 2 Block C, Ashtowngate, Dublin 15
- Phone: +353 1 868 0148
- Email: info@waterwaysireland.org
- Official trail page: https://www.sportireland.ie/outdoors/walking/trails/barrow-way
Getting There & Staying
Public transport reaches several points along the route. Bus Éireann serves Robertstown near the start, while the Dublin–Waterford rail line stops at Athy and Carlow. St Mullins has no regular public transport, so walkers finishing there usually arrange a private transfer or drive back from Carlow.
Accommodation is straightforward to arrange. Most towns display the Walkers-Welcome B&B symbol, indicating drying racks, secure storage, and local route advice. Many providers also offer luggage transfer between stages, which is useful for multi-day walkers. If you prefer a shorter commitment, the Athy to Bert Bridge route (3.7 km) or the Rathangan to Monasterevin stretch (7 km) are well-signposted, take about an hour, and have parking and refreshments at both ends.
Book B&Bs ahead in peak summer, and if you are cycling, check for maintenance closures on the sections being upgraded for the Blueway. For a first outing, the six-kilometre finish from Graiguenamanagh to St Mullins gives you the abbey town, a wooded riverbank and a medieval monastic site at the end, all in a couple of easy hours.