Kildare celebs and trails to feature in new series of RTE show

Kildare’s rich network of waterways and walking routes will be showcased to a national audience this spring as the county features prominently in the new season of Tracks & Trails, which returns to RTÉ this week.

Now in its 13th season, the much-loved series begins on Friday, 10 April at 8.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, with presenter Doireann Ní Ghlacáin once again guiding viewers along some of the most scenic and culturally rich trails across the island of Ireland.

While the opening episode focuses on County Louth, Kildare will take a leading role later in the series, with an entire episode dedicated to the county’s landscapes, heritage, and waterways - highlighting its growing reputation as a destination for walking tourism and outdoor recreation.

Episode four, airing on 1 May, will bring viewers through two of Kildare’s most picturesque and historically significant routes: the Barrow Blueway and the Grand Canal.

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In the first segment, musician Jack Lukeman will journey along the Barrow Blueway from Athy to Vicarstown, a stretch renowned for its tranquil waters, wildlife, and links to Ireland’s industrial past. The route follows the River Barrow, offering a unique combination of natural beauty and engineered heritage, with locks, towpaths, and bridges telling the story of Ireland’s canal network.

The second part of the Kildare episode will feature acclaimed soprano Celine Byrne walking the Grand Canal from Monasterevin to Robertstown. This section of the canal, often described as one of the most peaceful in the country, is steeped in literary and historical significance, once frequented by poets and travellers and continuing to draw walkers and cyclists year-round.

Together, the two routes underline Kildare’s unique position at the heart of Ireland’s inland waterways, offering accessible yet immersive outdoor experiences just a short distance from Dublin.