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Lock 23 on the Barrow Line at Rathangan, its black-and-white gates below the stone arch of Spencer Bridge, with boats moored along the canal beyond.
Photo: Alex Passmore · CC BY-SA 2.0
© OpenStreetMap contributors

Town Co. Kildare

Rathangan

Ráth Iomgháin

A friendly canal town on the Slate River at the edge of the Bog of Allen, with pubs, cafés and shops a short walk from the Barrow Line.

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About Rathangan

Rathangan takes its name from an early medieval ringfort, but its present layout dates from the arrival of the canal in the late 1700s, when houses were built for the canal engineers. The Barrow Line runs right past the centre, and the shops, cafés and several pubs are only a few minutes from the water; Waterways Ireland lists a public slipway in the town. Just beyond Rathangan the canal drops through the double Lock 23 beside Spencer’s Bridge, named after a yeoman killed in the 1798 rebellion and today a favourite fishing spot. Since July 2026 this lock may only be passed with a Waterways Ireland patroller (a dry-weather measure under Marine Notice 88), so call ahead. Tannery Park near the centre has a playground, Killinthomas Wood offers woodland walks, and the Barrow Way leads north towards Robertstown or south to Monasterevin, about 10 km away by water.

Eat & drink 2

Things to do 2

  • Playground

    Tannery Park

    Small park close to the town centre and the canal, with a children’s playground.

  • Walk

    Killinthomas Wood

    Local woodland with walking trails, one of the nature spots Waterways Ireland suggests around Rathangan.

Services

  • Slipway

Neighbours by water

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  • Lowtown ≈ 13 km · 1 lock · ≈ 2 h Grand Canal
  • Vicarstown ≈ 22 km · ≈ 3 h
  • Athy ≈ 34 km · ≈ 4 h 30 min

≈ distances are computed along the water, not along the marked channel. Times are our estimate: 7.5 km/h and 15 minutes a lock. Check the Waterways Ireland marine notices

Also nearby, from OpenStreetMap (33)

Not checked by us. Tap a group to open it. © OpenStreetMap contributors

Food & drink (11)
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Things to do (3)
Services (12)
Harbours & marinas from OpenStreetMap — access not checked (3)
Locks & bridges (4)

© OpenStreetMap contributors