Outdoor Adventures with Ancient Brit
Canoe Guide - Ireland Canal Round Tour
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Canoe Tours in Ireland: Canal Circuit
I have not canoed this route
This is a circular tour so you could start anywhere, but I have started the route description in Dublin. The
route then follows the Grand canal to reach the River Shannon and follows this north for a through Lough Ree
before taking the Royal Canal back to Dublin. The route could be paddled in either direction.
Start and Finish: Dublin, but it can be started anywhere on the route and parking might be easier away from
the city.
Portages: 91 locks to portage or navigate. Some of them are double locks.
Distance: 400 km
Difficulty: Easy
The route:
I haven’t given a route description as the route is totally on canals. Use the canal guidebooks.
Grand Canal: Dublin - Shannon Harbour 132 km 44 locks
River Shannon: Shannon Harbour - Cloondara 125 km 1 lock
Royal Canal: Cloondara - Dublin 145 km 46 locks
Information:
Inland Waterways Association of Ireland
http://www.iwai.ie/index.php
This website is full of useful information and downloadable maps.
Waterways Ireland
The navigation authority for the waterways of Ireland and Northern Ireland is Waterways Ireland. This is a newly
formed body and does not seem to have a policy for canoeists at present.
http://www.waterwaysireland.org:80
I have not canoed this route
This is a circular tour so you could start anywhere, but I have started the route description in Dublin. The
route then follows the Grand canal to reach the River Shannon and follows this north for a through Lough Ree
before taking the Royal Canal back to Dublin. The route could be paddled in either direction.
Start and Finish: Dublin, but it can be started anywhere on the route and parking might be easier away from
the city.
Portages: 91 locks to portage or navigate. Some of them are double locks.
Distance: 400 km
Difficulty: Easy
The route:
I haven’t given a route description as the route is totally on canals. Use the canal guidebooks.
Grand Canal: Dublin - Shannon Harbour 132 km 44 locks
River Shannon: Shannon Harbour - Cloondara 125 km 1 lock
Royal Canal: Cloondara - Dublin 145 km 46 locks
Information:
Inland Waterways Association of Ireland
http://www.iwai.ie/index.php
This website is full of useful information and downloadable maps.
Waterways Ireland
The navigation authority for the waterways of Ireland and Northern Ireland is Waterways Ireland. This is a newly
formed body and does not seem to have a policy for canoeists at present.
http://www.waterwaysireland.org:80