Paddling
Paddling by kayak or canoe is an ideal way to immerse yourself in Ireland’s waterways. With over 1,000 km of water to explore, there’s a route to suit every level of experience. Paddling allows unparalleled access to all that Ireland’s waterways offer, as many trails include island stop-offs, heritage sites and beauty spots only accessible via the water. Bring your own equipment, or hire a canoe or kayak from one of the providers below.
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Paddling on the Barrow Navigation offers a delightful experience with wide river sections, tree-lined shores, and canal stretches bypassing weirs. Ideal for paddlers seeking variety, the Barrow hosts white-water kayaking near weirs, attracting clubs throughout the year. Work is nearing completion on the Barrow Blueway, a shared-use paddling, cycling and walking trail that stretches 46 km from Lowtown to Athy.
Embark on an off-grid adventure where gentle blue waters, tranquil islands and charming jetties await. The Lough Erne Canoe Trail weaves through a maze of sparkling bays and scenic peninsulas. It’s one of the most popular canoe trails in Northern Ireland, and is suitable for a wide range of abilities, but it’s always recommended that novice paddlers use a local activity provider. You can make a real adventure of it by wild camping on the shores and islands.
Paddling on the Grand Canal presents a 131 km long-distance route showcasing a unique blend of urban and rural landscapes. Paddlers experience contrasts between city sections and tranquil rural settings, navigating aqueducts, bridges, and a historic canal through a bog.
Paddling on the Lower Bann offers a unique opportunity to explore a rural river valley that is often overlooked. The Canoe Trail on the Lower Bann is well-equipped with information for independent travellers who wish to paddle, camp, or stay in local B&Bs along the river. You can bring your own canoe or kayak, or rent equipment and hire a guide from listed companies. The locks are manned to ensure smooth passage.
The Canoe Association of Northern Ireland (CANI) organises recreational paddles throughout the year. For more information, you can visit the CANI website.
The Royal Canal can be used as a long-distance canoe trail with plenty of picturesque villages and towns along its route. It is also a major centre for Canoe Polo on the inland waterways, and Kilcock has a permanent "pitch" laid out the harbour. Please note that paddlers must disembark at any waiting jetties near to locks as turbulence makes them too dangerous to pass through in a canoe or kayak.
The Shannon-Erne Waterway is suitable for novice paddlers, featuring the 70 km Shannon-Erne Blueway with easy-to-use paddling journeys. Blueways offer multi-activity recreational trails, allowing canoeing, biking, and walking.
The Shannon-Erne Blueway features a selection of paddling trails between Leitrim Village and Belturbet, connecting with the Erne System at Crom Estate.
Paddling on the Shannon offers a journey of contrasts, from wide-open lake stretches to narrow bustling sections through towns and villages. The Shannon Blueway holds a network of paddling trails, from the foot of Lough Allen, to beyond the Shannon as far as Lanesborough. There is also the option to paddle a looped trail around the picturesque Camlin River, beginning at Richmond Harbour.