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Day 1. Arrive 3 p.m. After our introduction, we show you around your
barge, explain how everything works, show you the tourist information pack, your
groceries if pre - ordered and plan your route depending on your interests and experience.
All aboard and ready for your tuition on boat handling, navigation and a demonstration of
how to operate a Lock. The one beside our base is a double lock... very impressive!
Stay in Rathangan tonight. Explore the environs and take it easy.
Rathangan - Pub Lunch available, no evening meals so eat on board. Choice of pubs.
Restaurant in Kildare Town is a short a cab ride away
Day 2.
Rathangan to Vicarstown 14 miles / 20 km 5 hrs. cruising 3 locks
Leave Rathangan heading South. You will be traveling for over an hour before you reach Lock no. 24 and
the Lock keeper there will help you through.
On reaching Monasterevan pass under the lifting bridge with the help of the Lock keeper. As you cross over the 120 ft. Aqueduct
you will get your first sight of the beautiful river Barrow. Stop just below the 25th
Lock where you can moor and walk the towpath into the town.
Monasterenan is one of the
few towns that proudly faces the waterway with its fine Georgian buildings. Dated
1790's. Visit to the woollen mills factory outlet for Irish sweaters. After lunch head on to Vicarstown. No shops only two pubs.
You can take a cab or cycle to Stradbally for a restaurant or eat on board.
Day 3. Vicarstown to Maganey 18 miles / 30 km 6 hrs. cruising 5 locks Rise and shine. After a good Irish breakfast and doing your morning
duties your off for the next large town which is Athy ( pronounced Atie ).
Moor up at Lock
28 and take on water at the tap. Cross over the river by the old horse bridge and walk
the riverside path to Athy. It is an old town which has plenty of original shop fronts and
historic sites. There is a good museum in the Town Hall with history of the Canal. There
are a choice of restaurants / pub food and a supermarket. After that you should be
ready to travel through Lock no. 28 and onto the open river.
Your first real navigation skills come into play here crossing the wide river to the next canal cut on the far side.
After a short section of canal and Ardreigh Lock your back on the open river and its
magic.
You will have to raise the Lifting Bridge at Levitstown, pass under and lower
it again. The size of the Mill here gives you an indication of the activity that once moved
along these rivers.
Stop at Maganey bridge, eat on board or you can take a cab into
Castledermot. Athy Selection of pubs, shops and restaurants. Maganey Three Counties Pub is 600m. from Mooring.
Castledermot High Cross and Round Tower Kilkea 7 km. from Levitstown has a famous golf course and restaurant. (
advance booking )
Day 4 : Maganey to Leighlinbribge 12 miles 4-5. hrs cruising 6 locks / 1 lifting
bridge You reach Carlow, an impressive town with its Norman castle, where you can pick up some supplies.
A visit to Beams Delicatessen for fine food and wines is
interesting. ( Ask to grind some coffee beans) Also Boscos Butcher shop is a must. Plenty of
museums and an art Gallery to explore.
You may also take time to visit some historical sites such as
Browns Hill Dolmen or Killeshin Medieval Church. Head for Milford and on to Leighlinbridge. There are plenty of locks so
you will be busy.
The Lord Bagenal restaurant is a welcome watering hole and a good
place to eat for a tired skipper and crew. ( Leighlinbridge is pronounced Locklinbridge )
Leighlinbridge Restaurant the Lord Bagnal Inn Mooneys Pub is beside the mooring. Milford
is a nice place to stop in the countryside. Have a BBQ . No shops or pubs here. Fishing.
Day 5 : Leighlinbridge to Borris 13 miles 20 km 4 .5 hrs cruising . 7 locks 1 lifting bridge .Discover Old Leighlin by bike before you head off . Great view of the
Barrow Valley and Blackstairs Mountains.
The river is getting pretty wide from here on .The valley is filled
with trees and you get long stretches of the journey where you feel quite removed from
the hectic goings on of the'' real '' world and then you re-enter it briefly again when
passing by a town. Stop at the water tap in Bagnalstown and fill up. Take some time to
explore the town.
Soon your back to being alone on the River, away from it all, joined
by only the heron and the kingfisher. You can not see Borris from the river but a short
cycle or walk from Ballytiglea Bridge will take you to Borris Borris - Restaurant The
Green Drake Inn. Have a creamy pint of Guinness in O'Sheas pub cum hardware store.
Excursion Option Take a bus from Leighlin to Kilkenny Medieval City, visit the famous
Kilkenny craft design centre and the Castle. Alternatively you can travel to Gorresbridge and take an excursion to
Bennetsbridge, the home of Mosse Pottery www.NicholasMosse
Day 6 : Borris to St. Mullins Lock 12 miles 20 km 6 hrs. cruising 6 locks + 1 double lock
This section to Graiguenamanagh can be taken at the same pace as that of the river.
Here the river winds its way gently through the tree lined valley, making wide sweeping
bends and finally reaches the waterside town of Griguenamanagh which welcomes your
arrival by its prominent quay.
The large granary has been converted into a fine restaurant and accommodation and there
are numerous boats moored along the Quay. Watch out for divers off the diving board just north of the slip.
You can choose to stop here or continue to cruise to St Mullins if the weather is good.
It is also nice to cycle or walk the towpath down and back or take a taxis back. If it is not
good weather we recommend you enjoy the town of Graig with its busy shops and Historical
sites. St Mullins- small restaurant is open till 6 p.m. from May to September.
Day 7 St Mullins to Graignamanagh. 4 mile / 3 locks A short cruise back upstream to Graignamanagh, locking up this time.
Moor
up along the Quay wall and there is a real sense of achievement by all the crew after
completing your Barrow Navigation Cruise.
Some crews may depart today as arranged according to your onward travel
plans Graiguenamanagh - Choice of Restaurants The Way=terside and The Three sisters are on the
Quay. Mick Doyles pub is a must Option to walk or cycle this stretch and remain moored at Graignamanagh
Day 8 Time to reflect. Departure is normally 10.00 a.m. Note: This itinerary is based on a leisurely cruise. Your average cruising
speed is 3m / 5K p. hr. and 6 hours cruising per day + locks.
More detailed information is
available according to your interests Excursion trip to Waterford by Rail is possible.
For
an Out and Back cruise we recommend turning at Bagnalstown and stopping in alternative places on the return journey to Rathangan.
Go to Man Route Page
Click to see a full size
Route Map
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