History Barrow Way
The Barrow Way is a scenic long-distance walking and cycling route in Ireland, tracing the course of the River Barrow, the second-longest river in the country. Stretching approximately 120 kilometers from Lowtown in County Kildare to St. Mullins in County Carlow, the route passes through some of Ireland’s most picturesque and historically rich landscapes. Only the section from Robertstown - Laytown - Athy is designated as a greenway and suitable for cyclists. While today the Barrow Way is appreciated for its tranquil beauty and leisurely pace, its origins lie in a deeply practical and industrial past, rooted in centuries of Irish history.
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The River Barrow has been central to life in the region since ancient times. Its fertile banks supported early settlements, and it served as a natural transportation route even in prehistoric and early Christian Ireland. Monasteries and religious centres, such as the 7th-century monastic site at St. Mullins, were established along its banks, using the river as both a source of sustenance and a means of communication and trade.
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The modern history of the Barrow Way is closely tied to the development of the Barrow Navigation. In the 18th and 19th centuries, during the height of the Industrial Revolution, Ireland—like much of Europe—sought to improve its inland waterways to facilitate trade. The Barrow was developed into a commercial navigation using canals to link the Grand Canal in Kildare with the River Suir and the port of Waterford.
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This involved constructing a series of locks, weirs, and towpaths to make the river navigable by barges. The towpaths, originally used by horses that towed cargo-laden boats upstream, form the backbone of what is now the Barrow Way walking and cycling trail. The Barrow Navigation officially opened in 1791 and played a crucial role in transporting goods such as malt, flour, timber, and coal. Towns like Athy, Carlow, Leighlinbridge, Bagenalstown, and Graiguenamanagh flourished during this period as trade hubs.
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By the early 20th century, the rise of railways and later motor transport led to a decline in the use of Ireland’s inland waterways for commercial shipping. The Barrow Navigation, once bustling with barge traffic, saw a dramatic reduction in usage. The last commercial barge passed through in the mid-20th century, marking the end of an era. However, the infrastructure remained largely intact, and with increasing interest in heritage and leisure walking in the late 20th century, attention turned to repurposing the towpath network.
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In the 1980s and 1990s, the Barrow Way was officially developed as a National Waymarked Trail under the guidance of Irish tourism and walking organizations. The trail preserved the historical towpaths while promoting eco-tourism and cultural heritage. Unlike other more rugged hiking routes, the Barrow Way offers a flat, accessible walk, ideal for a wide range of visitors.
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Along the trail, walkers encounter historical structures such as old lock-keeper’s cottages, stone bridges, aqueducts, and remnants of water mills. The presence of these features offers a tangible connection to the river’s commercial past. The path also passes near castles, ancient monasteries, and Georgian-era estates, blending industrial and ecclesiastical history with natural beauty. The river and its banks are also recognized as important habitats for Irish flora and fauna, including otters, herons, and kingfishers.
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Efforts to balance tourism, conservation, and heritage preservation have occasionally led to debate—such as the proposed development of a hard-surfaced cycle path past Athy, along the Barrow Line, which met opposition from conservation groups seeking to protect the soft, natural character of the route.
An image of the depictions on a wall at the end of the Grand Canal in Athy telling the history of Athy, provided by Kildare County Council. Click on the image to read the text.
Athy
Nestled along the banks of the River Barrow, Athy has long been a strategic point for transportation, trade, and settlement. Its history spans several millennia, from early prehistoric times to its modern-day role as a bustling market town. The town's development is closely intertwined with Ireland's broader social, political, and economic changes over the centuries.
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Athy's history can be traced back to ancient Ireland, with evidence of human settlement in the area dating from the Bronze Age (around 2000-500 BCE). Archaeological finds, such as ringforts, burial mounds, and ancient tools, suggest that the region was inhabited long before recorded history. The strategic location of Athy, situated near the River Barrow, would have made it an attractive settlement for early communities, offering access to water for both agriculture and trade.
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Athy’s recorded history begins with the arrival of the Normans in the 12th century. The Normans, having conquered much of Ireland, established a strong presence in County Kildare. In the 13th century, the town became a part of the feudal system under the control of the de Londres family, who built a castle near the River Barrow. This castle, a significant Norman stronghold, symbolized both the power and strategic importance of Athy during this period.
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During the Middle Ages, Athy was granted a charter and began to grow as a market town. The town’s location at the junction of important trade routes, combined with its proximity to the river, fostered economic activity. It became an important centre for agriculture, particularly for the grain and livestock trade, which was facilitated by the town's well-established market.
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The 18th and 19th centuries marked a period of significant economic and infrastructural development in Athy. The River Barrow, which had long been a source of transport, underwent major improvements in the form of the Barrow Navigation. The Barrow Navigation, completed in the early 19th century, was a system of canals and locks designed to make the river navigable for larger boats. The establishment of the canal network in Athy connected the town to the Grand Canal in Dublin and the port of Waterford, making it an important commercial hub.
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The Barrow Navigation allowed Athy to flourish as a center of trade and industry. Barges transporting goods such as coal, timber, flour, and grain passed through the town, and it became a thriving market town known for its vibrant trade in agricultural products. This period also saw the rise of local industries, including milling, brewing, and distilling, as the town capitalized on the waterway for industrial purposes.
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Athy played a role in the political turbulence of 19th and early 20th century Ireland. The town was affected by the social and economic conditions that led to the Irish Rebellion of 1798, a part of the larger struggle for Irish independence from British rule. While the town itself did not see major battles, the surrounding areas were sites of conflict, and many of Athy’s residents were involved in the uprisings.
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The early 20th century brought further unrest to Athy and Ireland as a whole. During the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921), the town witnessed the challenges of the Irish revolutionary movement, including tensions between Irish Republican forces and British soldiers. The town became a focal point for republican activities, particularly in the 1916 Easter Rising and the War of Independence.
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The town is now a popular destination for commuters who work in the capital but prefer the quieter, more scenic environment of rural County Kildare. Athy remains steeped in history, with landmarks such as the Athy Heritage Centre and Museum, which houses exhibits dedicated to the town’s rich past, including its role in the Irish War of Independence, the era of the Barrow Navigation, and its ties to notable figures like Charles Stewart Parnell, a key leader in the Irish political landscape.
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