Outdoor Adventures with Ancient Brit
Canoe Guide - Barrow Navigation
Canoe Tours in Ireland: Barrow Navigation
I have not canoed this route.
This routes follows the Barrow Line branch of the Grand Canal to meet the Barrow navigation which is a river
controlled by weirs and locks.
Start: Lowtown: Junction of the Grand Canal and Barrow Line.
Alternative start: The Grand Canal connects to the main canal system of Ireland and you could start anywhere
on the canal network.
Finish: St. Mullins
Alternative finish: You could continue south from St. Mullins. However the river south of St.Mullins is tidal
and should only be paddled by those experienced in estuary boating. Strong tides and rough weather are likely to be
encountered. Tides can run up to 4 knots. Below New Ross the river estuary widens and is used by commercial
traffic so wouldn’t be suitable for an open canoe.
Portages: there are 32 locks to pass through or portage.
Distance: 111 km
Difficulty: Easy
The route:
Barrow Line: Lowtown - Athy 45 km 9 locks
Barrow Navigation: Athy - St. Mullins 66 km 23 locks
Tidal river: Barrow Estuary: St. Mullins - New Ross 19 km
New Ross - Barrow Bridge
Information:
Inland Waterways Association of Ireland
http://www.iwai.ie/maps/barrow/index.html
This website is full of useful information and downloadable maps.
Waterways Ireland
The navigation authority for the waterways of Ireland and Northern Ireland is Waterways Ireland. This is a newly
formed body and does not seem to have a policy for canoeists at present.
http://www.waterwaysireland.org:80
I have not canoed this route.
This routes follows the Barrow Line branch of the Grand Canal to meet the Barrow navigation which is a river
controlled by weirs and locks.
Start: Lowtown: Junction of the Grand Canal and Barrow Line.
Alternative start: The Grand Canal connects to the main canal system of Ireland and you could start anywhere
on the canal network.
Finish: St. Mullins
Alternative finish: You could continue south from St. Mullins. However the river south of St.Mullins is tidal
and should only be paddled by those experienced in estuary boating. Strong tides and rough weather are likely to be
encountered. Tides can run up to 4 knots. Below New Ross the river estuary widens and is used by commercial
traffic so wouldn’t be suitable for an open canoe.
Portages: there are 32 locks to pass through or portage.
Distance: 111 km
Difficulty: Easy
The route:
Barrow Line: Lowtown - Athy 45 km 9 locks
Barrow Navigation: Athy - St. Mullins 66 km 23 locks
Tidal river: Barrow Estuary: St. Mullins - New Ross 19 km
New Ross - Barrow Bridge
Information:
Inland Waterways Association of Ireland
http://www.iwai.ie/maps/barrow/index.html
This website is full of useful information and downloadable maps.
Waterways Ireland
The navigation authority for the waterways of Ireland and Northern Ireland is Waterways Ireland. This is a newly
formed body and does not seem to have a policy for canoeists at present.
http://www.waterwaysireland.org:80
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