Sir, – It’s good that this campaign is highlighting one of Ireland’s hidden treasures. It seems everyone agrees that this is an important route, and the only issue seems to be how best to share it and facilitate access. Here I must declare an interest: I so like the Barrow Way, and believe more people should discover and enjoy it, that last year I made an app and audio guide to the full 116km, from Lowtown to St Mullins, with funding from Waterways Ireland.
Having canoed, cycled and walked the Barrow, I can say that the grassy towpath is not suitable for cycling, other than over very short distances. The grassy surface is often highly “corrugated” by vehicle tyres, and cycling over this is punishing – even one mile can bring tears to your eyes! Ironically, some of this damage is caused by the machines that are used to maintain the grassy towpath sections.
No one wants a high-speed tarmac cycle lane, but a conditioned gravel path, covering approximately half the towpath, would mean cyclists could share the way with walkers and anglers, and enjoy Ireland’s loveliest off-road route.
The Barrow was once a busy industrial river, with noisy mills and cargo traffic. Today, you can drive a car along the path in places, to access private residences. There is surely room for cyclists?
This would create a stunning long-distance route with tremendous tourism potential, and open the Barrow Way to more people in a sensitive way.– Yours, etc,
MARY MULVIHILL,
Manor Street,
Dublin 7.