Monasterevin: Barrow Blueway, Aqueduct and Moore Abbey Wood

Monasterevin connects the River Barrow and the Grand Canal with structures from the history of water engineering and paths through Moore Abbey Wood. When planning your stay, you can focus on different things: the Barrow Blueway, Monasterevin Aqueduct, the local parks or the woodland paths.

Barrow Blueway and the history of water engineering

The Barrow Blueway runs through Monasterevin. The route is 46 kilometres long and is described as a flat, car-free public path along the Barrow Canal; it is accessible year-round. If you are planning a particular stretch, check the current conditions in advance. Guided walks along the riverbank share stories about boatmen, rebels and local legends. If you would like to include a guided walk in your plans, check whether one is available.

Monasterevin Aqueduct also shapes the view of the waterways: it carries the Grand Canal over the River Barrow. It was built in 1826; three limestone arches from Mountrice Quarry form its structure. The history of the Grand Canal also includes the Barrow Line, which had been completed as far as Monasterevin by 1785. These dates mark two notable stages in the history of water engineering, without requiring you to treat the details of the structures as the same.

The church and parks in town

The Church of St Peter and Paul offers a different architectural impression. Its wide nave has no aisles or pillars; stained-glass windows are another feature of the church. This offers a chance to shift your attention from canal engineering to a very different building in Monasterevin.

Monasterevin Town Park has a playground beside the historic aqueduct, and offers views of the Grand Canal. Monasterevin Wildlife Park, meanwhile, is a community garden on Main Street, by the River Barrow. Trees and a wildflower meadow shape the grounds. The two parks offer different things: the Town Park focuses on the playground and canal views, while the Wildlife Park focuses on gardening and planting.

Designated natural areas are also part of the surroundings. The River Barrow at Monasterevin is designated as a Special Area of Conservation. The Grand Canal at Monasterevin has the status of a proposed Natural Heritage Area. In the latter case, the proposed status is important; it should not be confused with a final designation.

Woodland and paths in Moore Abbey Wood

Moore Abbey Wood near Monasterevin covers approximately 250 acres of mixed broadleaf and coniferous woodland. The landscape is defined by more than its trees: the wildflowers mentioned include bluebells, and the butterflies include the pearl-bordered fritillary. This gives the woodland a different setting from the canal paths and gardens in town.

The listed distances and approximate walking times can help you plan your routes. The Bluebell Way is 2.5 kilometres long and is listed as taking about 40 minutes. The Gerard Manley Hopkins Walk is 2 kilometres long, with an approximate time of 30 minutes. The Count John Mc Cormack Way is 3.5 kilometres long, with an approximate time of one hour, and includes viewpoints. All three paths are described as accessible to everyone. The times give an indication of how long each route is; the longest of the three is also the one with the mentioned viewpoints.

Plan your journey

Monasterevin has a railway station on the main line between Cork and Dublin. If travelling by train is an option for you, check the connections for your travel date. Waterways, the history of engineering and woodland routes come together here; which of these shapes your stay depends on whether you would rather explore the canal and aqueduct, the parks or the paths in Moore Abbey Wood.

Discover more destinations: Johnstown, Prosperous, Straffan, Celbridge, Kilmartin, Narraghmore, Droichead Nua, Maynooth.

For the wider travel overview: County Kildare.