Outdoor Adventures with Ancient Brit
Canoe Guide - Shannon-Erne Waterway
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Canoe Tours in Ireland: Shannon - Erne Waterway
I have not canoed this route.
This route goes from Limerick on the River Shannon and passes through river, canal and lakes to cross into
Northern Ireland before returning to Ireland to reach the sea at Ballyshannon. There are problems on this route
at both ends so it is probably best to paddle fron Killaloe to Belleek.
Start: It is probably best to start at Killaloe as the difficulty of the section from Limerick to Killaloe is out of
proportion to the rest o.
Portages: There are a number of locks on the route. At present canoes are able to go through the locks but it
may be easier to portage some of them.
Difficulty: The section from Limerick to Killaloe is difficult, but the remainder of the route will be easy in good
weather. However you are in crossing large lakes and waves could get too big for safe canoeing in windy weather.
Distance: 382 km from Killaloe - Belleek
The route:
The Shannon below Limerick is a large estuary and not really suitable for open canoes. The section from
Limerick to Killaloe is problematical. I’ve described the route from SW to NE to take account of the prevailing
winds, but if you intend to do the section from Killaloe to Limerick you might be better going in the opposite
direction.
Limerick: From Limerick there are two routes through the city. The usual navigation, leads through a sea-lock
into the Abbey River . This is the route used by cruisers and sailing-boats passing between the estuary and the
inland network. It has its own excitements: a current of 10.3 knots was recorded under Mathew Bridge. It is
essential to get the timing right, when the incoming tide balances the flow of the river, to pass this stretch safely.
There is another route available to canoes, which is over the Curragower Falls in the main line of the Shannon.
(The Abbey River route effectively bypasses these falls.) Shallow boats can get over the falls at high tide, if other
conditions are suitable.
The Abbey River rejoins the main body of the Shannon, but there is
another junction just a little upstream.
Parteen: The old course of the river Shannon goes off to the right. This may be canoe able by the adventurous
descending the river but is not likely to be feasible upstream. Take the left route to Ardnacrusha Power Station.
There are four turbines at the power station, and each one that is running means a one-knot current, so canoeing
upstream could only be done when the power station is operating at minimum power.
Ardnacrusha Power Station: The hydroelectric power station at Ardnacrusha is run by the Electricity Supply Board
(ESB), and includes a double lock with a total drop of about 100 feet. I understand that the ESB is willing to allow
canoes to go through the lock, Passage has to be booked in advance. I an unclear how easy it would be to portage
the locks. Above the power station is a headrace canal, which leads to Parteen Villa Weir, downstream of Killaloe.
Killaloe: Killaloe is probably the place to start this tour. Killaloe is at the south end of Lough Derg which is a large
lake. The lake is subject to strong winds and waves and could be uncanoeable in bad weather. Leave Lough Derg
at the northern end of Lough Derg at Portumna.
Portumna: From Portuna follow the River Shannon to the Merrick Lock, past the junction with the Grand canal
and on to Athlone with a weir and lock.
Athlone: You now enter your second big lake, Lough Ree and follow it north to Lanesborough.
Lanesborough: From Lanesborough you follow the Shannon past Tarmonbarry Lock and weir and into the small
Lough Forbes. Rejoin the river to reach Roosky Lock and enter the small Lough Bolin and Lough Boderg. and on
to Albert Lock. The Jamestown Canal bypasses a difficult section of river and you then continue up the Shannon
past Carrick-on-Shannon and onto Leitrim
Leitrim: The canal linking the Shannon and Erne waterways was reopened in 1994. There are 16 locks in the 38
miles of the canal. The canal joins a number of small lakes passing Ballyconnel to arrive at Belturbet.
Belturbet: Belturbet is just south of the route, but is the starting point of the Erne Waterway which is now
followed north. Enter Upper Lough Erne which has many islands giving a choice of channels to paddle. You pass
into Northern Ireland and follow the River Erne to Enniskillen.
Enniskillen: Continue north into Lower Lough Erne and follow this big lake to its NW corner where you head
down the River Erne to Belleek by which time you have returned to Ireland.
Belleek: I have no information on the river from Belleek to Ballyshannon except there is one power station on
the river. The official Navigation ends at Belleek.
Distances:
Limerick - Ardnacrusha
Ardnacrusha - Parteen Weir 12 km
Parteen Weir - Killaloe 5 km
Killaloe - Leitrim 257 km
Leitrim - Belturbet 61 km
Belterbet - Belleek 64 km
Information:
Inland waterways association of Ireland
http://www.iwai.ie/maps/shannon-erne/contents.html
This website is full of useful information and maps
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 route goes from Limerick on the River Shannon and passes through river, canal and lakes to cross into
Northern Ireland before returning to Ireland to reach the sea at Ballyshannon. There are problems on this route
at both ends so it is probably best to paddle fron Killaloe to Belleek.
Start: It is probably best to start at Killaloe as the difficulty of the section from Limerick to Killaloe is out of
proportion to the rest o.
Portages: There are a number of locks on the route. At present canoes are able to go through the locks but it
may be easier to portage some of them.
Difficulty: The section from Limerick to Killaloe is difficult, but the remainder of the route will be easy in good
weather. However you are in crossing large lakes and waves could get too big for safe canoeing in windy weather.
Distance: 382 km from Killaloe - Belleek
The route:
The Shannon below Limerick is a large estuary and not really suitable for open canoes. The section from
Limerick to Killaloe is problematical. I’ve described the route from SW to NE to take account of the prevailing
winds, but if you intend to do the section from Killaloe to Limerick you might be better going in the opposite
direction.
Limerick: From Limerick there are two routes through the city. The usual navigation, leads through a sea-lock
into the Abbey River . This is the route used by cruisers and sailing-boats passing between the estuary and the
inland network. It has its own excitements: a current of 10.3 knots was recorded under Mathew Bridge. It is
essential to get the timing right, when the incoming tide balances the flow of the river, to pass this stretch safely.
There is another route available to canoes, which is over the Curragower Falls in the main line of the Shannon.
(The Abbey River route effectively bypasses these falls.) Shallow boats can get over the falls at high tide, if other
conditions are suitable.
The Abbey River rejoins the main body of the Shannon, but there is
another junction just a little upstream.
Parteen: The old course of the river Shannon goes off to the right. This may be canoe able by the adventurous
descending the river but is not likely to be feasible upstream. Take the left route to Ardnacrusha Power Station.
There are four turbines at the power station, and each one that is running means a one-knot current, so canoeing
upstream could only be done when the power station is operating at minimum power.
Ardnacrusha Power Station: The hydroelectric power station at Ardnacrusha is run by the Electricity Supply Board
(ESB), and includes a double lock with a total drop of about 100 feet. I understand that the ESB is willing to allow
canoes to go through the lock, Passage has to be booked in advance. I an unclear how easy it would be to portage
the locks. Above the power station is a headrace canal, which leads to Parteen Villa Weir, downstream of Killaloe.
Killaloe: Killaloe is probably the place to start this tour. Killaloe is at the south end of Lough Derg which is a large
lake. The lake is subject to strong winds and waves and could be uncanoeable in bad weather. Leave Lough Derg
at the northern end of Lough Derg at Portumna.
Portumna: From Portuna follow the River Shannon to the Merrick Lock, past the junction with the Grand canal
and on to Athlone with a weir and lock.
Athlone: You now enter your second big lake, Lough Ree and follow it north to Lanesborough.
Lanesborough: From Lanesborough you follow the Shannon past Tarmonbarry Lock and weir and into the small
Lough Forbes. Rejoin the river to reach Roosky Lock and enter the small Lough Bolin and Lough Boderg. and on
to Albert Lock. The Jamestown Canal bypasses a difficult section of river and you then continue up the Shannon
past Carrick-on-Shannon and onto Leitrim
Leitrim: The canal linking the Shannon and Erne waterways was reopened in 1994. There are 16 locks in the 38
miles of the canal. The canal joins a number of small lakes passing Ballyconnel to arrive at Belturbet.
Belturbet: Belturbet is just south of the route, but is the starting point of the Erne Waterway which is now
followed north. Enter Upper Lough Erne which has many islands giving a choice of channels to paddle. You pass
into Northern Ireland and follow the River Erne to Enniskillen.
Enniskillen: Continue north into Lower Lough Erne and follow this big lake to its NW corner where you head
down the River Erne to Belleek by which time you have returned to Ireland.
Belleek: I have no information on the river from Belleek to Ballyshannon except there is one power station on
the river. The official Navigation ends at Belleek.
Distances:
Limerick - Ardnacrusha
Ardnacrusha - Parteen Weir 12 km
Parteen Weir - Killaloe 5 km
Killaloe - Leitrim 257 km
Leitrim - Belturbet 61 km
Belterbet - Belleek 64 km
Information:
Inland waterways association of Ireland
http://www.iwai.ie/maps/shannon-erne/contents.html
This website is full of useful information and maps
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