Lough Derg Blueway paddling trails from Killaloe
2.5 km loop or 5 km route ·
About
Self-guided paddling from the Killaloe Canal, the short stretch of still water that runs along the Clare bank past the cathedral and joins the Shannon just above the bridge. Waterways Ireland says the Lough Derg Blueway has 21 easy-to-follow paddling journeys around the lake. Two start here. The Killaloe loop is 2.5km: out of the canal, under the eighteenth-century bridge, onto the Shannon and back, described by the Blueway as suited to guided beginner groups and independent intermediate paddlers. The longer 5km route goes under the bridge and upriver past the site of Brian Boru's fort at Béal Ború, at the same level. The canal itself is sheltered; the river beyond the bridge is open water. This listing is for the trails, not an operator: bring your own kayak or board, or arrange hire before you arrive.
Photos
Highlights
- ✓Sheltered start on the Killaloe Canal
- ✓Paddle under the old bridge between Clare and Tipperary
- ✓5km route passes below Béal Ború
Tips
- →The Blueway rates both routes for guided beginners or independent intermediate paddlers, not independent beginners.
- →Check conditions before leaving the canal for the open river.
- →Wear a buoyancy aid. The lake water is cold for most of the year.