Boating in Athy

Floating Jetty in Athy Town Centre
Home to Antarctic Explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, Athy is the perfect stop-off point for those traveling the Grand Canal or Barrow Navigation, as it sits on the intersection of both systems. In addition, it is the perfect location for those wishing to moor their vessels long-term. Not only does Athy boost two Slipways, a Dry Dock, a Fresh Water Supply and Pump-Out facility; but uniquely, it is not subject to the new Extended Mooring Permit (EMP) recently introduced by Waterways Ireland. The EMP, which costs €156, now applies to all boats mooring long-term on the Royal Canal, Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation. Athy’s mooring facilities which lie 400 meters north of the Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation meeting point are not subject to the new Bye-Laws as the navigable waters north of the Horsebridge to the town centre do not constitute part of the Barrow Navigation System. As a result, any boat owner wishing to avail of mooring facilities long-term, can do so free of charge in Athy. For more information on all the amenities that Athy town has to offer, please visit: www.athy.ie
Boat Trips
There are two operators providing a Boat Trip service on the river Barrow. These are BoatTrips.ie and Athy Boat Tours.
BoatTrips.ie
Contact Cliff on 087-2061999 or see www.boattrips.ie
Athy Boat Tours
Contact Alana on 087-4335350 or see www.athyboattours.ie
For barge hire in the area, please visit https://jenniferztravels.com/travel/
Or for some local knowledge on boating in Athy, contact Cliff Reid on 087-2061999
Local Testimony
“We have a very active community here locally when it comes to promoting our waterways. Members are regularly seen taking part in clean-up initiatives, festival organisation and the promotion of our assets for use by the boating, angling, historical and hiking Community”
Barry Keatley
(Chairman North Barrow Branch IWAI)
“Spending most of my life at the 28th lock, I’ve always been amazed by the number of waterways users that are unaware of the navigable waters north of the Barrow Navigation/ Grand Canal intersection. I regularly take my narrow barge up past this point and into waters history used by the local boat-men running services to the onetime riverside industries and the bog. It’s like simply stepping back in time”
Kathleen Cross
(Local Boating Enthusiast)
“Having moved my live-aboard to the town centre in 2008, I’ve found the community extremely welcoming to the concept. Not only are locals very eager to keep an eye on the boats moored, but the local Gardaí are extremely friendly and carry out regular foot patrols along the Barrow track. In essence, we’ve naturally built up a local neighbourhood alert system and since moving in, I’m glad to report that I’ve never experienced any problems”
Cliff Reid
(Live-aboard Resident)
Boat Trips
There are two operators providing a Boat Trip service on the river Barrow. These are BoatTrips.ie and Athy Boat Tours.
BoatTrips.ie
Contact Cliff on 087-2061999 or see www.boattrips.ie
Athy Boat Tours
Contact Alana on 087-4335350 or see www.athyboattours.ie
For barge hire in the area, please visit https://jenniferztravels.com/travel/
Or for some local knowledge on boating in Athy, contact Cliff Reid on 087-2061999
Local Testimony
“We have a very active community here locally when it comes to promoting our waterways. Members are regularly seen taking part in clean-up initiatives, festival organisation and the promotion of our assets for use by the boating, angling, historical and hiking Community”
Barry Keatley
(Chairman North Barrow Branch IWAI)
“Spending most of my life at the 28th lock, I’ve always been amazed by the number of waterways users that are unaware of the navigable waters north of the Barrow Navigation/ Grand Canal intersection. I regularly take my narrow barge up past this point and into waters history used by the local boat-men running services to the onetime riverside industries and the bog. It’s like simply stepping back in time”
Kathleen Cross
(Local Boating Enthusiast)
“Having moved my live-aboard to the town centre in 2008, I’ve found the community extremely welcoming to the concept. Not only are locals very eager to keep an eye on the boats moored, but the local Gardaí are extremely friendly and carry out regular foot patrols along the Barrow track. In essence, we’ve naturally built up a local neighbourhood alert system and since moving in, I’m glad to report that I’ve never experienced any problems”
Cliff Reid
(Live-aboard Resident)