Call for little-known Canal route between Naas and Athgarvan to be developed

Kildare County Council is to consider the feasibility of upgrading a little-known canal-side pathway which runs between Naas and the Athgarvan area.

Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer had asked the local authority to liaise with Irish Waterways to investigate the possibility of upgrading the existing tow path that runs from Naas Canal to Corbally Harbour near Athgarvan to a biodiversity walking trail.

The council said that its Heritage Officer will discuss the feasibility of such a project with Waterways Ireland, with a view to including a new objective for same in the Draft Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029.

Cllr O'Dwyer informed councillors at the monthly municipal district meeting that the Corbally Harbour Branch of the Grand Canal extends from the townland of Corbally to Naas Harbour and is within three miles of Athgarvan village.
This canal branch was completed in 1810, mainly to service the transport of grain to and flour from Reeves Mill at Athgarvan.

The councillor said that the canal already provides an almost perfect walkway from Corbally to Naas and is the longest stretch of canal in the country with no locks as the terrain is flat.
The canal is maintained by Irish Waterways and they already maintain the grass cutting along the canal and clean the canal.
Cllr O'Dwyer said: “It is already a beautiful, natural habitat and with just a little hard-cover on the existing towpath in the short-term could enhance an already stunning walkway.

BLUEWAY
“Corbally Harbour has previously been proposed as a Blueway and I definitely think this could be considered as part of the Draft County Development plan.”
The politician added that she believed that Corbally Harbour is already a fantastic natural amenity and a wonderful sanctuary for wildlife and only requires minimum work to enhance the current towpath and if Local Property Tax (LPT) funding is required to fund a covering for the path in the interim while further plans are developed through the draft county development plan “I am happy to work with my colleague Cllr Evie Sammon to pursue LPT as this project crosses over two Municipal Districts — the Kildare Newbridge MD and the Naas Municipal District.”

Vacant building
The monthly meeting also heard that the Council will ask its Community Department to make enquiries to establish the ownership status of the Probation Office building in Market Square in Newbridge and if it can be made available for community use.
Cllr Noel Heavey has asked if the building could be made available for community usage such as a Cultural Centre for young people.

Footpaths
Cllr Peggy O’Dwyer also asked if the footpaths in Moorefield Drive, Newbridge could be listed for an upgrade.
The council said that this area can be included for consideration under Local Property Tax (LPT) funding subject to the agreement of the councillors.