The Barrow has been at the forefront of recent online discussions. One thing that has come out of these discussions is the confusion and misinformation on what comprises the ‘Barrow’.
Clarifications:
River Barrow
The River Barrow is a natural waterway flowing from Glenbarrow in the Slieve Bloom Mountains to where it meets the River Suir, east of Waterford City. It passes through Counties Laois, Kildare, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford.
The River Barrow is under the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW), the County Councils and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).
Barrow Line
The Barrow Line consisting of a Canal and an adjoining Towpath, is located in Counties Kildare and Laois. Originally built in the 1790s as an extension of the Grand Canal, it starts in Lowtown, Robertstown and heads south to Athy.
The Barrow Line is part of our industrial heritage and requires annual maintenance to ensure it is safe and suitable for use by all boaters, cyclists, walkers and maintenance staff. The Barrow Line is under the remit of Waterways Ireland, as laid out in the Good Friday agreement, under the direction of the North South Ministerial Council, Waterways Sector.
Barrow Navigation
While there has been a Navigation Channel along one side of the Barrow River since medieval times, today’s Barrow Navigation consisting of a dug out Channel, lateral Canals, Locks and an adjoining Towpath, was built from 1761 onwards along one side of the River and improved over time. The Barrow Navigation and its Towpath stretches from Athy in Kildare through Laois and Carlow to St Mullins.
The Barrow Navigation is part of our industrial heritage and requires annual maintenance to ensure it is safe and suitable for use by all boaters, cyclists, walkers and maintenance staff. The Barrow Navigation to St Mullins is under the remit of Waterways Ireland, as laid out in the Good Friday agreement, under the direction of the North South Ministerial Council, Waterways Sector.
Barrow Blueway
The Barrow Blueway, a recent initiative by Failte Ireland and Waterways Ireland is financed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. The aim is to improve amenities along the Barrow Line and the Barrow Navigation for use by boaters, canoeists, kayakers and paddlers, and all recreational cyclists and walkers.