Kilkenny LEADER Partnership, County Carlow Development Partnership and JFK trust joined to complete a strategic report which addressed key constraints of the River Barrow and looked at ways of promoting boating and navigation on the Barrow. The ‘Unlocking the Barrow’ report was launched by Labour TD Ann Phelan on the 25th of March.
Although the Barrow stretch is popular with boating, canoeing and angling, it has been acknowledged that the full potential is currently restricted by the low arches of Graiguecullen Bridge at Carlow and a natural rapid at St Mullins in Carlow, where navigation is restricted except close to high tide. 61 percent of users surveyed for the report experienced difficulties in navigating the river.
The report also addressed improvement works that would correct the river challenges. If the improvements are made, the new report estimates that around €12m in additional revenue could be generated in the next ten years, as well as the creation of at least 130 jobs.
Link to Kilkenny People Press Release on Unlocking the Barrow
