The Barrow Line - View of Bert House Traditional Cache

The Barrow Line

The Barrow Line links the main line of the Grand Canal with the River Barrow at Athy, some 29 miles almost due south. This is an ideal walking path and continues all the way to St. Mullins.

The Bert House

Bert House was built between 1720 and 1730 for Captain William Burgh who was Comptroller and Accountant General for Ireland to a design prepared by his brother Thomas Burgh of Oldtown. Thomas was Barrack Overseer in Ireland, a position to which he was appointed in 1701 and was responsible for the building of Trinity College Library, Dr. Steevens Hospital, Dublin and Collins Barracks in Dublin. The latter building is now part of the National Museum of Ireland. The original Bert House consisted of a central block of seven bays, three storey high over a basement. The overlapping side wings were added early in the 19th century. It’s a house steeped in history and the people who lived in Bert House figured prominently in Irish history at various times.

The Cache

The Cache is a small tablock box placed along the towpath.