The walk from Monasterevin to Athy is long and, in terms of scenery, hardly spectacular. But the route is important as it parallels the canal channel which linked two of the busiest ports on the Barrow Canal. Keep to east bank over the Aqueduct bridge. Look out for the abandoned Mountmellick Branch which diverges to the west immediately after the aqueduct. Cross to the west bank at the next bank at the next bridge known as Moores Bridge. Continue under the modernised Portlaoise road bridge taking care as you emerge because of vegetation which makes the path precarious.

On regaining the track there is a gravel surface for a short distance followed by a grassy stretch prone to becoming soggy after rain.

The canal runs parallel to main road for some distance before curving to the south and following a course through flat and intensively farmed land. A neat farmstead marked by a line of beautiful cherry blossom trees on the canal bank signals the return to a tarmac road.

Cross the timber - decked bridge to the east bank at this point and continue on the east track which alternates between gravel, grass and quiet road past Fishertown bridge and from there past intensive farming units on past Courtwood bridge. The tarmac road gives way to easy grass track taking you to the Grattan Aqueduct which as the plaque records was built under supervision of Richard Evans, engineer, in 1790.

The path resumes a metalled surface again in the run-up to Vicarstown, a picturesque canalside village which is a welcome visual relief after the unvaryingly plain appearance of the landscape over the previous seven miles. The village also has the added benefit of having two attractively presented pubs waiting to slake the thirst of hot and bothered walkers.