River Barrow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Barrow |
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River Barrow at Muine Bheag, County Carlow
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River Barrow and nearby geography
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| Native name | An Bhearú |
| Country | Ireland |
| Counties | Laois, Kildare, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, Waterford |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Slieve Bloom Mountains Glenbarrow, Laois 350 m (1,150 ft) |
| River mouth | Celtic Sea Waterford Harbour, Waterford |
| Length | 192 km (119 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Three Sisters |
| Basin size | 3,067 km2 (1,184 sq mi) (See text) |
| Tributaries |
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The River Barrow (called An Bhearú in Irish) is a major river in Ireland. It is one of "The Three Sisters" rivers, along with the River Suir and the River Nore. The Barrow is the longest of these three rivers. At 192 kilometers (120 miles) long, it is the second-longest river in all of Ireland, right after the River Shannon. The area of land that drains into the River Barrow is about 3,067 square kilometers (1,184 square miles) before the River Nore joins it.
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River's Journey
The River Barrow starts high up in the Slieve Bloom Mountains at a place called Glenbarrow in County Laois. From there, it flows south towards the sea.
Towns Along the Barrow
As the River Barrow makes its way to the Celtic Sea near Waterford, it flows through several towns. These include Portarlington, Monasterevin, Athy, Carlow (and Graiguecullen), Muine Bheag (also known as Bagenalstown), Goresbridge, Graiguenamanagh, and New Ross.
Natural Border
The river also acts as a natural border between different counties in Ireland. On its right side, it separates Kilkenny and Waterford. On its left side, it forms the border for Carlow and Wexford.
What's in a Name?
The Irish name for the river, Bhearú, comes from an old Celtic word that means "to boil" or "to bubble." This might connect it to Borvo, a Celtic god linked to minerals and spring water. Some old spellings of the name include Berbae and Barowe.
There's also an old story about the river's name. It says that a hero named Dian Cecht killed three giant snakes and threw them into the Barrow. This made the river boil!
Barrow's History
For a long time, the River Barrow was an important natural boundary. It separated the ancient kingdoms of Laigin (on the east side) and Osraige (on the west side). There was even an old saying that meant if you lived west of the Barrow, you were outside the main laws of the land.
The River Barrow is a big part of Ireland's system of inland waterways. It creates a path for boats from the port of Waterford all the way to the Grand Canal. The Grand Canal then connects to Dublin and the River Shannon.
There are three main parts to how boats can travel on the Barrow:
- Tidal River Barrow: This part of the river is affected by the ocean's tides. It includes the lower parts of the Barrow and its nearby rivers, the Suir and Nore. This section is about 88 kilometers (55 miles) long.
- Non-Tidal River Navigation: This section is not affected by tides. It has 23 locks, which are special gates that help boats move between different water levels. This part goes for 66 kilometers (41 miles) inland from a place called St Mullin's to Athy.
- Barrow Line of the Grand Canal: This canal connects to the river at Athy. It goes north for another 45 kilometers (28 miles) and has 9 locks. This line connects to the main Grand Canal, which can take you all the way to Dublin.
Fun on the Barrow
The River Barrow is a great place for outdoor activities, especially in the summer. People enjoy kayaking and swimming in its waters.
The Barrow Way
The Barrow Way is a famous walking trail that follows the river. It's 120 kilometers (75 miles) long and is one of Ireland's National Waymarked Trails. The trail follows the Barrow Line of the Grand Canal and then the paths along the non-tidal part of the river, ending in St. Mullins. It's a fantastic way to explore the beautiful scenery along the river.
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Río Barrow para niños
