Walking in Co. Carlow

A walker’s paradise, Carlow is home to three of Ireland’s key national walking routes – The Leinster Way, The Wicklow Way and the Barrow Way which links with the Slieve Margy Way in Co. Laois. Experienced walkers will enjoy the invigorating challenge of Carlow’s way-marked mountain treks, whilst novices will find peace and tranquility on quiet country walks. The walks featured here are just a sample of the many available to the visitor to Co. Carlow so feel free to wander at will …..

The Barrow Way

The Barrow Way follows the towpath, originally a path alongside the River Barrow to allow the pulling of barges or boats for transport. The ground is level throughout and most of the walking is away from the roads passing good land where tillage and cattle farming are predominant. The route remains uncrowded and the breathtaking scenery unrivalled. There are plenty of small, friendly villages where the welcome of the locals is renowned, canoeists to watch as they shoot the weirs and anglers to have a chat with. The Barrow Way allows for sightings of a rich variety of river life – swans, mallard, heron, kingfisher and hen pheasant are regularly to be seen. The path also offers much of architectural interest to the visitor – bridges, many arched, and pretty lock houses, some still in use. Many interesting historical features are located in close proximity to the river including castles, abbeys, old bridges and derelict mills.

The full length of the Barrow Way, from Lowtown to St. Mullins is 113 kilometres (70 miles). You can cover this distance in a single journey in less than a week or explore shorter sections of the walk in a number of easy strolls.

Accommodation is available from 3 to 19 kilometres and varies from hotels to self-catering and bed & breakfasts. Most accommodation providers are delighted to transport you to and from your starting and finishing point. Towns offer a full range of services while villages have good facilities that are designed to meet the needs of the walker.

STAGE 1 of the Barrow Way starts in Lowtown and a distance of 23 km (14 miles) takes you to the town of Monasterevin. The raised banks of the canal offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside with views of the Hill of Allen and the Wicklow Mountains.

STAGE 2 covers the stretch from Monasterevin to Athy – 23km (14 miles). This stretch offers the visitor much of architectural interest with many old bridges and houses.

STAGE 3 runs from Athy to Carlow – 19km (12 miles). This is the first of four stretches which pass through the county of Carlow. We start off from the heritage town of Athy and pass many interesting lifting bridges and old mills. A break at Maganey bridge is recommended and if it’s liquid refreshment you require the Three Counties Pub is located closeby. The counties referred to are Kildare, Laois and Carlow which meet hereabouts.

STAGE 4 Carlow to Bagenalstown - 16km (10 miles). Milford, approximately 7 km south of Carlow is one of the most attractive stretches along the River Barrow. Set in an idyllic location with three bridges, large mill buildings and a large wooded area it is famous as an aquatic triangle. Herons and kingfishers are often to be seen here. This stretch of our walk is rich with historical buildings and castles including the Black Castle at Leighlinbridge and the many architectural gems in the town of Bagenalstown, where our walk ends.

STAGE 5 takes the walker from Bagenalstown to Graignamanagh – 26km (16 miles). Today we pass via the small villages of Goresbridge and Borris. The village of Borris nestles in the foothills of the Blackstairs Mountains and has retained its charms of former days. Many shops have kept their traditional fronts and the local public houses have earned nation-wide recognition for their friendly, old world atmosphere. Our walk ends in Graignamanagh, a picturesque abbey town and a popular boating and craft centre. Overlooking the River Barrow is Duiske Abbey founded by Norman monks from Stanley Abbey, Wiltshire in 1204. The “Early English” design boasts a lofty nave and it is the largest of Irish Cistercian monastery churches. Duiske Abbey is open daily and group tours can be arranged on 0503-24238

STAGE 6 Graignamanagh to St. Mullins – 6km (4 miles). This stretch has beautiful woodland surroundings with a strong ecclesiastical theme in the religious settlement at St. Mullins. The complex includes a medieval church ruin, the base of a round tower and the former Church of Ireland church, built in 1811, which now hosts a heritage centre. The lower settlement is set on a glorious stretch of the Barrow Valley and includes a picnic area and restaurant where excellent traditional fare is served.

The South Leinster Way

The South Leinster Way is a long distance walking route which runs from Kildavin, Co. Carlow to Carrick-on-Suir in Co. Tipperary covering 102 kilometres (64 miles) in length and ascending some 1600 metres.

The predominant features in the landscape are Mount Leinster, Brandon Hill and the river valleys of the Barrow, Nore and Suir. This stretch can be comfortably walked in five days but strong walkers can finish it in three days.

The County Carlow stretch of this varied trail from Kildavin to Graignamanagh leads the walker between some very fine lofty summits, follows the towpath along the River Barrow and passes through medieval towns and ancient sites.

STAGE 1: Kildavin – Borris 22km (14 miles). From Kildavin our way takes us along quiet country roads but soon ascends via steep dirt roads to the forest. Magnificent views of the surrounding lowlands may be had on a fine day. The way now changes as we leave the dirt tracks and head along quiet country roads and across the slopes of Mount Leinster before reaching the town of Borris. The “Nine Stones” at Mount Leinster offers amazing views of the Barrow Valley and Brandon Hill.

STAGE 2: Borris – Graiguenamanagh 12km (7 ½ miles). This stretch follows the towpath along the River Barrow, and is particularly attractive as it passes through rich deciduous woodland and old mills. Graiguenamanagh is the end of our walk – a peaceful quayside town lying in the county of Kilkenny but connected via a bridge over the River Barrow to its twin village of Tinnahinch in Co. Carlow.

STAGE 3: Graiguenamanagh – Inistioge 16km (10 miles). This walk crosses the slopes of Mount Brandon by a series of forest walks. Our stop is in Inistioge – a pretty village with a fine market square and interesting buildings and sites including the Augustinian Priory and St. Columcille’s Well. In recent years, Inistioge has also witnessed the development of the film making industry in Ireland. Famous films shot here include Widow’s Peak and Circle of Friends.

STAGE 4: Inistioge – Mullinavat 30km (19 miles). Suitable for the seasoned walker. This section of the way starts along the banks of the River Nore and continues via forest roads over several hills to reach Mullinavat. It is long and quiet hilly in nature.

STAGE 5: Mullinavat – Carrick-on-Suir 22km (14 miles). This stretch crosses the River Blackwater and passes the village of Piltown to the end of the walk in Carrick-on-Suir.

The Wicklow Way

This route covers a distance of 132km (81 miles) in length commencing in Marley Park, Dublin and finishing in the beautiful village of Clonegal located in the River Slaney valley in the east of the county. It can be comfortably walked in six days or in shorter sections as desired. Variety in landscape, buildings and wildlife is a great characteristic of this route. Red deer, silka deer, hares, foxes, squirrels and badgers are regularly to be seen. Call to Osborne’s in the village of Clonegal where you can collect your own personalised Wicklow Way certificate for completion of the route. Osborne’s historic pub holds traditional music sessions every Sunday night. A visit to Huntington Castle and the Temple of Isis should not be missed. Guided tours conducted by Ms. Olivia Robertson. Phone: + 353 (0) 54 77552.

Sli na Slainte (please include logo for Sli na Slainte)

A range of shorter walks combining the best of variety and enjoyment has been established by the Irish Heart Foundation in co-operation with community groups and the local authorities in Co. Carlow. Kown as Sli na Slainte routes they are easily identifiable by the warm, radiant sun and cheerful human figure in yellow, blue and red symbolising the vitality and energy of life. The routes are identified by colourful signposts at 1km intervals.

Carlow Town

Town Slí - 3.75km

The Town Slí follows a path from Shamrock Square to Green Lane passing St Mary’s Cemetery and on to the Old Dublin Road. It goes by the courthouse along Dublin Street, then on to Kennedy Avenue and back to Shamrock Square.

Rathnapish Askea Slí - 3.7km

This route follows the same direction as the Town Slí on Green Lane. At the roundabout on Green Lane it turns onto O’Brien Road, passing Askea Church, on towards the roundabout on the Tullow Road where it follows Staplestown Road to Shamrock Square.

Chapelstown Slí - 3.5km

The Chapelstown Slí follows the Staplestown Road and goes out along the Tullow Road to Wall’s Forge. It then goes past Chapelstown to Brownshill Cross and along Brownshill Road back to Staplestown Road.

Carlow County

Ballymurphy

Ballymurphy has two Sli na Slainte routes which have been developed by Ballymurphy Community Group. Both afford wonderful hillside views and bracing mountain air.

Walshestown Sli – 7.5km

The Walshestown Sli is 7.5km in length and starts at the Community Centre where it follows the road past the old Corn Mill and then left through the Sweep and the conifer wood. Turn left along the Bog road; continue over the Holocause River and past the limekiln on your right. Follow the road as it rises steeply, turning left to begin the descent. Walk the winding road back to Ballymurphy village and turn left at the School to bring you back to your starting point.

Knockmulgurry Sli – 7.7km

The Knockmulgurry Sli is 6.7km in length and also starts at the Community Centre. Follow the route as above, past the conifer wood. On reaching the bog road on your left, continue along the Knockmulgurry road past Sturra peak and Cahier’s Den (lair of the famous Highwaymen). Notice the walls of the old Tower House and the “Scionsa” or Spring Watercourse on the Mountain. Turning right, the scenic road brings you back to the Sweep and your starting point at the Community Centre.

Clonegal – 7km

The Clonegal Sli route is a 7km walk by Ballyredmond Wood and Clonogan Wood.

St. Mullins – 6.2km

Beginning from the Heritage centre the walk passes the old mill to the River Barrow and follows the banks to the Old Lime kiln. It the turns into Bahana Wood for a short time and exits back to the road which returns to the village.