Barrow Way Greenway
To understand where the Barrow Way Greenway fits within the Canal system in Ireland it is worth looking at Ireland Canals page here. This explains how the canals have morphed into the greenways that we have today, designated as cycle routes and suitable for cyclists on normal road bikes. Some sections of the canal banks have not been converted and designated as greenways but are under active consideration, others are in the planning process or in a small number of cases the work has already started. Other sections have been denied planning permission for various reasons or have not yet come under active consideration. In the case of the Barrow Way, the section from Robertstown to Athy is completed and is an active greenway while the section south of Athy has been denied planning permission. About 2 kms, south of Athy, the cycle path ends and from there is grassy underfoot. Attempts to extend the greenway met local opposition some years ago and there are no plans to reapply for planning permission.
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See here a map of the of the Barrow Way Greenway from Kildare Co. Co.
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All of the Barrow Way can be walked. Walkers can walk all the way from Hazelhatch, through Sallins, Robertstown, Rathangan, Monastrevin, Athy to Carlow, Bagenalstown (Muine Bheag), Borris, Graiguenamang, ending at St Mullins. Some sections after Athy can be cycled using mountain bikes in the summer months when paths are dry. This is not recommended here as it is not designated as a proper greenway.
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​From a greenway/ cycling perspective, the Barrow Way is somewhat of a misnomer as the section from Robertstown to Athy that can be cycled straddles a spur of the Grand Canal not the Barrow River. Although the canal traverses the river via viaducts and this is a feature in Monastrevin. The canal joins the Barrow River just beyond Athy. See image here of Horse Bridge just south of Athy where the Grand Canal joins the River Barrow. ​
The canal meets the River Barrow at Horse Bridge just south of Athy
The sections of the Grand Canal that are open to cyclists and the sections that have not yet been converted to cycleways are shown in this image here in the Canals Section of this website.
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Works have started to extend the Sallins- Hazelhatch greenway back towards Dublin. In addition the section between Sallins and Robertstown will be upgraded to full greenway standard eventually. When those works are completed the Barrow Way will run from outside Dublin along the Grand Canal to Robertstown where it turns south at Lowtown (see map below) to Rathangan, Monasterevin and on to Athy. I will update the website when these works have been completed. But as of now the Sallins Greenway and Barrow Way are not yet connected and are treated as separate greenways.​ The canal is maintained by Waterways Ireland and is punctuated by canal locks along the route. The underfoot is either asphalt or fine grit. Some sections are shared with motorists but only with very light local traffic to allow access to individual houses on the route. The shared sections are of asphalt construction.​​​​​​The route is very flat.​
From the north of the greenway, Robertstown is our starting point of the Barrow Way Greenway The Grand Canal Greenway and the Barrow Way go their separate ways at Lowtown Harbour, see map above. The route stretches from Robertstown to Athy, a distance of 47 Kms, where the canal meets the River Barrow at Horse Bridge just south of Athy.
From Robertstown the route travels 1.5 Kms south-west to Lowtown and from there to the village of Rathangan. You will find this route to be quiet with a variety of scenery from bog, farmland and forestry. Enjoy a stop at the small village of Rathangan.
Onwards to Monasterevin which touches the counties of Kildare, Offaly and Laois, a distance of 10.5Kms.
You can cycle into the town of Monasterevin, a town that was once on the main Dublin to Cork road causing tailbacks. Thankfully the motorway has changed all that and the town is now part of the commuter belt with good road and rail access.
Note the aquaduct in Monasterevin where the canal crosses the River Barrow. It is a town of bridges to accommodate the canal and the river.
Onwards from Monastrevin, you are unlikely to meet another watering hole on the 22.5 Km route to Athy so bring a drink with you. In summertime or at weekends there may be a pop-up coffee trailer on the route. You will pass through the tiny village of Vicarstown. There was nothing open in Vicarstown when we last passed through. Dilly Dally is a coffee shop between Vicarstown and Athy and opens at the weekends.
About 1 Km from the outskirts of the town of Athy you will see Cuan Mhuire on the opposite bank of the canal. This is a retreat for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts. There is a very nice coffee shop with all sorts of sweet and savoury snacks and even full meals are served. You can buy some quite unusual and unique artistry created by the patients. It is a nice idea to cycle back about 1Km on the opposite bank of the canal to Cuan Mhuire on the L8068 and experience the solitude and tranquility of the retreat house.
Carrying on further into Athy provides a multitude of places to stop and have a well deserved drink and food.
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Note that many websites will give the impression that the Barrow Way can be cycled past Athy and on to the towns of Carlow, Leighlinbridge, Bagenalstown (Muine Bheag), Borris and Graiguenamanagh. This is not the case. It is a wonderful walk and may be suitable for mountain bikes (although I am not at all sure that they are welcome!). The judgement on the rejection of the application for greenway status was rubber stamped by the planning appeal board, much to the chagrin of cyclists and the local tourist industry, see report here.
About a 2 kilometres south from Athy town past the Horse Bridge the greenway ends and turn into a grassy path suitable for walkers.
Cuan Mhuire can be seen at the opposite side of the canal less than a kilometre from Lock 26 on the outskirts of Athy.
This is well worth a visit. There is a garden centre, restaurant and shop and you will also be supporting a wonderful charity.
At then end of the Grand Canal in Athy is a short history of the canal provided by Kildare County Council. Click to read the detail.