River Barrow - Ireland’s Second Longest River
Flowing through the county of Carlow are two important rivers, the Slaney in the east of the county and in the west, the second longest river in Ireland, the River Barrow. In particular the River Barrow has proven to be a vital trade route. This has been none more emphasised than the development and operation for over one hundred and eighty years of the Barrow Navigation.
Entering the most photographed Lock on the Barrow Navigation, Clashganny Lock. The system of Locks allowed boats to avoid the weirs and rapids of the river and inside the lock the boat was raised or lowered to the level of the water in the direction it was travelling. Photo Carlow County Museum.
The Barrow Navigation is the section of the river between the town of Athy in county Kildare and St. Mullins in the south of county Carlow. Below the Lock at St. Mullins the River becomes tidal while above Athy the river is left behind as the navigation system is connected into the main Grand Canal Line at Lowtown. The construction of the Irish canal in the late eighteenth allowed for the safe movement of commercial traffic right through the heart of Ireland. Canal boats could travel from Dublin across the middle of Ireland by using either the Royal or Grand Canals and enter the Shannon and therefore go south to Limerick City or north to Carrick-on-Shannon or even join the Erne Waterway. Coming south, initially travelling the Grand Canal system and then using the Barrow Navigation, a boat could travel as far as Waterford City.
The start of the Barrow Navigation at Athy and the end at St. Mullins. Photos Carlow County Museum.
Without doubt the 43 miles (69km) of the Barrow Navigation is considered one of the most picturesque of the navigation systems. While undertaking the journey south to St Mullins seventeen of the twenty three locks, including the double lock of Ballykennan are located in county Carlow.
Some picturesque features on the Barrow Navigation. Photos Carlow County Museum.
Between the mid 1780s and 1959 commercial traffic on the river was operated by the Barrow Navigation Company, the Grand Canal Company and for a few years before closure by Coras Iompair Eireann (C.I.E). Many private boats operated along the waterways as well, many of them continuing to operate until the mid 1960s with the Carlow Sugar Factory proving to be an important stop. Athy, Carlow, Bagenalstown and Graiguenamanagh/ Tinnahinch were the main stop off points along the Barrow Navigation while further south New Ross and Waterford harbours were also of importance, particularly for the export and import of goods.
Grand Canal Company “Advice of Goods” from 1914. Photo Carlow County Museum, ccm 05-138.
The boats (or barges as they are commonly referred to as) were able to carry up wards to fifty tonnes of cargo. The boats carried a variety of heavy goods, from their most popular item, Guinness stout to grain, manure, wood, sugar and sugar beet, provisions and sundries.
Exiting the lock and onwards with the journey. Photo Carlow County Museum.
Up until the early years of the twentieth century the boats were pulled by horses, with a man leading the horse and a man steering the boat. Conversion to diesel engines took place but the Tow Path on which the horses walked remains in use to this day as a valuable amenity and access point to the river and is maintained as a walkway called the Barrow Way.
A number of Lock Keepers are available for advice and assistance when undertaking your journey. Photo Carlow County Museum.
Although the canal system closed to commercial traffic in the early 1960s it has been maintained by the Office of Public Works (O.P.W.) and in later years by the all Ireland body, Waterways Ireland. This has ensured that the system is open to navigation to a variety of pleasure craft. For further information on facilities and navigation contact Waterways Ireland at
The end of an era. Photo Carlow County Museum, ccm 04-63.
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