Cruising the Barrow by boat

 

Cruising the River Barrow is a unique experience due to its unspoilt and uncrowded waters. The Barrow is navigable for 65 kilometres from Athy, Co. Kildare to St. Mullins, Co. Carlow. South of St. Mullins, before the river enters the sea, it is tidal and dangerous for navigation.

 

An advantage of the Barrow to other waterways in Ireland is that there are no long queues passing through locks and no problems getting space at quaysides. A journey along the gentle River Barrow takes the traveller to a tranquil past age where bird watching, canoeing, angling and boating can all be enjoyed at ease. The speed limit on river sections is 11km/h and is 6km/h on lateral canals. Waterways Ireland presently controls the Barrow Navigation and regulates boat traffic on the river system.

 

Waterside towns offer full services to boating visitors.  Visitors can relax on board and watch the banks drift lazily by, escaping from the hectic society we now live in.

 

There are many local companies offering boat rental services. Most of the boats are barges which have a full range of services on board. There are different packages to choose from including day trips to much longer adventures on the river.