Valley Of The Monks Relaxing Self-Guided Canoe Adventure

Escape the crowds and set your own pace on a relaxing self-guided canoe adventure.

This tour is perfect if you want to escape the crowds and set your own pace on a relaxing self-guided canoe adventure. Enjoy the experience for a few hours or a full day. Paddling down the Barrow river offers a freedom rarely encountered in the mad rush of our busy lives. Move at your leisure, dipping your paddle into calm waters and soaking in the serenity of the surroundings. Unlike a guided tour, you control the itinerary. Drift along, enjoying the peace and quiet. Grab a coffee in Graiguenamanagh before either continuing back to Clashganny or if you’ve booked a full day you will keep paddling down to St. Mullins. This self-guided flat water canoe trip is perfect for those who prefer independence and a chance to discover the beauty of the water at their own pace.

No experience necessary.

What to Expect

On arrival at Clashganny we will give you your equipment at The Red Shipping Container.

We will explain all you will need to know about navigating your adventure and answer any questions you may have. Once you have put on a buoyancy jacket and helmet and secured your belongings into a barrel you’re ready to hit the river.

The adventure starts in a quiet river harbor where you will get to practice your skills and learn the basics of turning the canoe.

As you continue down the river you will stick to the navigation that is always on the left. (The right is where the white water is, such as weirs and rapids)

Along your journey you can expect to see pretty lock-keepers’ cottages, majestic mature wooded valleys and abundant wildlife like Herons, Otters, Egrets, Kingfishers, Dippers, Ducks and their young and the occasional swan.

Down the canal you will arrive at a lock. Here you must get out of your boat and carry (Don’t Drag!) your boat around it and get back in.

On arrival in Graiguenamanagh you can tie your boat up before the bridge to the left of the river. Hop out of the canoe and over the bridge for a wander around or a coffee. Make sure you bring all valuables with you.

If you are hiring for a full day you can then continue your journey down to St. Mullins, again always keeping to the left of the river and carrying the boat around the next 4 locks you will encounter.

If you have hired the equipment for a half day you will make the return journey back to Clashganny.

Come along and immerse yourself in this inspiring nature corridor. Forget about work, relax, chill out and allow the rhythm of your paddle to meditate your mind.

If there is one adventure that is a must do on this beautiful island, the Barrow trail is for sure, the most rewarding.

What we provide:

• Canoe
• Paddle
• Buoyancy Jacket
• Helmet
• Barrels
• Optional Extra: River Barrow Guide Book €25

Please Bring:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Old Runners that will get wet (Not flip flops or crocs etc.)
• Water
• Snack
• Sunscreen (Fingers crossed)
• Full change of clothing
• Light rain coat
• Extra layers such as a warm hat and fleece if it’s cold. – Avoid Cotton
• Personal toiletries
• Wetsuit if you have one but this is not necessary
• Optional extras: Waterproof phone case if you own one

Planning to visit in April or May? – Baseglamp.ie AND Go with the Flow have an exciting offer this April and May – Book a 2 night stay for April or May and enjoy a Complementary Canoe Tour on The Beautiful River Barrow – find out more here

Important information:

Insurance

We do not provide any form of insurance with our canoe hire service. We therefore highly recommend that you take out a travel or holiday insurance policy that will cover canoeing activity up to level / grade 2 water. It is also recommended that if you are bringing along electronic items that you have them insured and that you have provided waterproof storage for each.

It is a condition of hire that you will not attempt to shoot or go down any weirs while still in the canoe. This activity is dangerous and could very easily lead to injury or loss or damage to property.

There is a flat-water navigation channel running the entire length of the waterway which avoids all weirs and rapids.

Heavy Lifting

Please note you will have to lift the canoes out of the water when you get to BallyKeenan Lock. There is a low boardwalk at both ends to facilitate this. PLEASE never drag our canoes are they are easily damaged. Additional lifting required if you are heading to St Mullins. (5 Locks)

Buoyancy jackets are provided for each individual and by law you are required to wear them at all times while canoeing. Helmets can also be provided.

Canoes can be picked up from Graignamanagh should you decide to walk back. Canoes will be picked up from St Mullins if you choose to finish there. However you may be asked to secure them until we can get there or leave them in the storage paddock.

Anyone finishing in St Mullins will either do a car transfer with other members of your group or get a taxi back. (Taxi not included)

Participants must be able to swim. It is unlikely the canoe will capsize on this tour but may still happen. This is an adventure.

There is some parking available but please arrive early to get parking. This is a public area where vehicles are parked at owners’ risk.

There are toilets and changing facilities available onsite where the canoeing adventure begins. These facilities are for public use and are property of Waterways Ireland.

Children must be at least 7 years of age and comfortable in the water.

Dogs are welcome on this tour, however, only small dogs are recommended. We do not provide any additional equipment or supplies for dogs. Please bring your own buoyancy jacket for them.

Our equipment has a maximum capacity of 130KG per person.

Prices
€36.85 Half-Day Hire Adult 3 Hour Hire
€57.91 Extended Hire Adult 6 Hour Hire
€26.32 Children Ages 12 years and under

Valley of the Monks – Half-day or Full-day Canoe Hire
Duration:
Half-day hire (3 hours): To Graignamanagh and return to Base
Full-day hire (6 hours): To Graignamangh and finish at St Mullins (Taxi back not included

AVAILABLE DAILY APRIL TO 30TH SEPTEMBER: 9.30AM AND 1.30PM – CONTACT US FOR AVAILABILITY >>