The Barrow Blueway runs through Monasterevin, giving the choice of location a clear thematic anchor: the 46 km-long, flat, traffic-free public route follows the Barrow Canal and is accessible year-round. If you would like to include canal history and walks in your trip, this is a concrete starting point. Check the current conditions on the route before your visit.
On the Barrow Blueway
Guided walks along the Blueway share stories about boatmen, rebels and local legends along the banks. This adds a storytelling perspective on the area to the route. Check in advance whether such a walk is available on your dates.
Aqueduct, canal and church architecture
The Monasterevin Aqueduct carries the Grand Canal over the River Barrow. Built in 1826, it has three arches and is made from limestone from Mountrice Quarry. Its design makes the waterway easy to understand: here, the canal crosses the river. The canal’s history also goes back a long way: the Barrow Line of the Grand Canal had been completed as far as Monasterevin by 1785.
The Church of St Peter and Paul offers a different architectural accent. Its wide nave has neither aisles nor pillars, and there are also stained-glass windows. A tour through the town’s history therefore takes in different architectural forms: the aqueduct connecting canal and river, and the unusually described church interior.
Woodland trails in Moore Abbey Wood
Moore Abbey Wood near Monasterevin is a mixed woodland of coniferous and deciduous trees, covering approximately 250 acres. Its wildflowers include bluebells, and butterflies found here include the pearl-bordered fritillary. The woodland trails offer several distinct options for how long to walk.
The Gerard Manley Hopkins Walk is 2 km long and takes about 30 minutes. The Bluebell Way covers 2.5 km, with an estimated walking time of around 40 minutes. The longer Count John Mc Cormack Way is 3.5 km and takes about an hour; it includes viewpoints. All three trails are accessible to everyone.
Gardens, playground and protected nature
The Monasterevin Wildlife Park is a community garden on the River Barrow at Main Street, with trees and a wildflower meadow. Monasterevin Town Park has a playground next to the historic aqueduct and offers views of the Grand Canal. The two parks therefore offer different highlights: garden and plant diversity on the one hand, and a playground and canal views on the other.
The designations protecting the waterways also differ: the River Barrow near Monasterevin is designated a Special Area of Conservation; the Grand Canal near Monasterevin is designated a proposed Natural Heritage Area. This information adds their respective protection statuses to the landscape perspective on the waterways.
Plan your journey and stay
Monasterevin has a railway station on the main line between Cork and Dublin. This is a helpful reference for planning your journey; check the latest timetable information for your travel dates. If you are looking for accommodation, the approximate walking times for the trails in Moore Abbey Wood can be a practical guide if you would like to include woodland walks in your stay.
Discover more destinations: Kildare, Kilmartin, Narraghmore, Ballymore Eustace, Celbridge, Straffan, Carbury, Athy.
Back to the main travel overview: County Kildare.
