Rothar Routes

Cycle routes & pilgrim journeys in Ireland and Europe …..

Posts tagged ‘The Barrow Way’

The Barrow between Lower Ballyellin and Ballytiglea

I particularly like the section of the Barrow Way from the Lower Ballyellin Cut to Ballytiglea Bridge. This section has a really good level grass surface, although I notice Waterways ireland ‘maintenance works’ have begun to provide a ‘washerboard’ effect on what was a pristine surface for walking and cycling…. The river meanders through fertile farm land and some lovely wooded sections.

There are a number of weirs and there are lots of herons and cormorants nesting in this area and there is a great isolated perch mid river on a huge granite boulder.

Its a great place to do a 10km walk, starting in Goresbridge as far as Ballytiglea bridge and back along a very quiet section of the river.

Ballytiglea Lock Gates and the River Barrow

Ballytiglea

Lower Ballyellin

‘The most beautiful riverside walk in these islands’

“The most beautiful riverside walk in these islands” according to the writer and broadcaster, the late Dick Warner. Yesterday it was at its magnificent best. The traffic along the route and on the water was the busiest I’ve ever seen. Waterways Ireland have appealed the decision to refuse planning for a hard core cycle path along the river; it having been rejected by Local Authorities on environmental grounds.

I met a very large group of walkers from Dublin and Meath yesterday and chatting to them as I passed they were unanimous that walking on grass is so much better than a hard surface. They all hope the status quo remains.

Here is another very practical reason why converting the Barrow Way to a shared cycle path is a non runner. You can see on the video below just how difficult and dangerous it will be to accommodate mass cycling and walkers on a shared path.

 

The

Cycling and Wild Swimming!

The great excitement on the football fields came to a halt on Saturday evening so it was nice to unwind on Sunday along The Barrow Way.

When the sun shines in the south east there is no where like it!

Here’s a video of our cycle along The Barrow and in Clashganny Woods followed by a spot of what is fashionably called wild swimming nowadays! Look out for the goat too!

How Can I Protect You In This Crazy World?

Basking in May sunshine, The Barrow Way can be seen in all it’s glory; this is no Theme Park, it’s nature at it’s finest. Appreciated by all who use it for it’s beauty and tranquility, it is a real national treasure. We are not endowed with vast areas of wilderness so this sliver of green along the Banks of The Barrow must be retained. It is Carlow’s number one natural attraction and must be protected.

Get out and enjoy it; there are so many sections to ramble along on a summers evening or on a lazy weekend beside a lazy river…..

Christy Dignam’s lyrics say it best…. ‘How Can I Protect You In This Crazy World’?

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Couldn’t resist going down south again this afternoon. Here is Clashganny to St Mullins but at 20 x speed!

The Faerie Queen

Saved.

The Three Sisters

‘….three great rivers ran,
And many countries scowrd.

The first, the gentle Shure that making way
by sweet Clonmell, adorns rich Waterford:
The next, the stubborn Newre, whoe waters gray,
by faire Kilkenny and Rosseponte boord,
the third, the goodly Barow, which doth hoorde
Great heaps of Salmons in his deepe bosome:
All which long sundred, doe at last accord
To ioyne in one, ere to the sea they come,
So flowing all from one, all one at last become”.

The Faeire Queen by Edmound Spense