Kingfishers, an egret, and watching a bat catch insects in the noon sun above the water. . . plus no cars, made this a great trip.

We spent two pleasant days cycling down the towpath from Leighlinbridge to St Mullins and back again. It's about 30km each way -- not very long -- and easily done in a day, but we stretched it into two. The surface varies from grassy to tarmac, and would be easy on a hybrid bike. (We did it in dry conditions -- no idea how muddy it might get after a lot of rain) Quite a few folk fishing on the Sunday, and some Sunday strollers, but otherwise very little traffic (and of course, no cars!) made this a quiet and peaceful journey.

St Mullins is delightful small place, where the river becomes tidal, just 5km from Graiguenamanagh village -- and it's a popular walk, so that stretch of the journey was the busiest. There's a great cafe at St Mullins, and an old Norman motte and bailey, and an old church and graveyard. The B&B there was full sadly, as it came recommended, so we returned to stay in Graiguenamanagh. Then spent a second pleasant day cycling back up river to collect our car.

With the Barrow just an hour from Dublin, this is a great cycle route and would be perfect for families.