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Grand Canal between Robertstown and Lowtown on the Barrow Blueway
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Kildare & Laois · Canal-side Ireland

Barrow Blueway

A relaxed 46-kilometre walking and cycling route beside the Barrow Line of the Grand Canal, connecting Lowtown and Robertstown with Rathangan, Monasterevin, Vicarstown and Athy.

Explore the route
46 kmLowtown to Athy Shared trailWalk · cycle · run Mostly levelCanal towpath route

A quieter way through Ireland

Follow the water. Set your own pace.

The Barrow Blueway follows a restored towpath through open countryside, canal towns, locks and bridges. Its broadly level surface makes it suited to flexible day trips as well as a point-to-point journey.

The developed Blueway ends in Athy. The historic Barrow Way continues south beside the river, but it is a different and more varied walking route—plan that continuation separately.

Interactive route map

Follow all 46 kilometres.

Select a numbered stop to identify the route’s main access towns and villages.

Barrow Blueway

Lowtown & Robertstown to Athy

The gold line uses OpenStreetMap’s current Barrow Blueway route relation. Zoom and pan for local context; scroll-wheel zoom is disabled to keep the page comfortable to use.

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Route highlights

Seven useful places to pause.

Choose one section or connect the stops over a longer trip.

01Kildare

Lowtown

Begin at the northern trailhead beside the Barrow Line of the Grand Canal, where the Barrow Blueway leaves the Grand Canal corridor.

02Kildare

Robertstown

Pause in a canal village close to the northern trailhead, with local services and an immediate introduction to the area’s canal heritage.

03Kildare

Rathangan

Pause in a lively canal-side town. This is a practical access point for a shorter outing and for connecting the route with nearby woodland.

04Kildare

Monasterevin

See the canal cross the River Barrow and explore a town whose bridges and waterways explain its long transport history.

05Laois

Fisherstown

Enjoy one of the quietest rural stretches, with open countryside and a slower pace between the larger route towns.

06Laois

Vicarstown

Use this compact canal village as a southern access point or as the turnaround for an achievable half-day walk or cycle.

07Kildare

Athy

Finish where the Grand Canal meets the River Barrow, close to White’s Castle and Athy’s Shackleton and market-town heritage.

Grand Canal at Vicarstown on the Barrow Blueway
Vicarstown · County Laois
Waterway approaching Athy with White’s Castle in the distance
Athy · County Kildare

Choose your distance

Three ways to experience the Blueway.

Short outing

Town and towpath

Start from Robertstown, Rathangan, Monasterevin, Vicarstown or Athy and choose a comfortable out-and-back section. Allow time to return to the same access point.

Half day

Athy to Vicarstown

The southern section is about 11.5 km one way and is a practical introduction to the trail. Arrange a return or turn back early for an out-and-back trip.

Full route

Lowtown to Athy

Cover the 46 km as a long cycle or divide it across two days. Confirm accommodation, transfers and current trail notices before committing to a point-to-point plan.

Before you set out

Practical Blueway planning.

A little preparation keeps this shared, mostly rural trail enjoyable for everyone.

Surface & users

Expect a shared multi-use path. Keep left where practical, pass slowly, use a bell when cycling and give pedestrians priority.

Light & weather

Most rural sections are unlit and exposed to changing weather. Carry water, layers, a charged phone and lights if your timing could run late.

Water access

Paddling and boating require suitable access points, equipment and current local advice. Do not assume every canal bank is a safe launch point.

Transport & facilities

This is a linear route. Check parking, public transport, bike hire, food, toilets and return arrangements for the exact section you choose.

Add it to your journey

Build around the Blueway.

Add route towns to the Adventure Ireland planner. The planner calculates road access between stops; it does not replace a walking or cycling trail map.

County guideExplore Kildare → County guideExplore Laois → Continue planningIreland’s Ancient East → Check before travelOfficial Blueway updates →

Plan a memorable stop

Add an experience to your route.

Start with the Shackleton Experience in Athy. The National Stud and Castleview Farm are separate side trips requiring onward transport, not attractions directly on the Blueway or boat trips along it.

Affiliate links: Adventure Ireland may earn a commission when you book through GetYourGuide, at no additional cost to you.

Horses & gardens

Side trip · County Kildare

Irish National Stud & Gardens

Combine thoroughbred heritage with time in the gardens. Allow a separate journey from Athy or your canal-side base.

Start / arrival pointIrish National Stud, near Kildare town

View details & availability Explore the Kildare guide
Family farm visit

Side trip · County Laois

Castleview Open Farm

Break up a sightseeing day with animals and play spaces. Travel to the farm independently and check opening for your date.

Start / arrival pointCastleview Open Farm reception, County Laois

View details & availability Explore the Laois guide

Booking links open on GetYourGuide in a new tab. Prices, dates, inclusions, accessibility and cancellation terms depend on the selected option. Check the operator's current details; a listing here does not guarantee availability.