Grade: | 1 to 2 | |||||
County: | Louth | Date updated: | 15/11/2006 | |||
Section Length: | 16 Km | Version: | 2 (History) |
Head back to Culloville and take a right turn onto the main N53 (Dundalk direction). Travel for 4.8 miles and at Watters shop take a right turn - travel on this road until you come to a crossroads (7miles from Culloville).
Go straight through the cross and drive until you come to a T junction (10 miles from Culloville) - turn right for 0.3miles and pull in on the left above the bridge.The first feature is a weir at the Mill (at the put in). In medium - high water this is a grade 2+ as it demands getting a line before a 7 foot drop or slide down the weir. There is a small stopper at the bottom which would need a bit of inspection at very high levels. After the drop there is a short white water section until the bridge (2).
The river then slows and meanders through the countryside with a few gentle wave trains. After about 1mile there is a small drop at a sharp bend and pick either left for a easy line or side drop down the right if you want some play!! Paddle on and look out for the odd wave opportunity or pour over stopper to spice up the run.
After some beautiful countryside and limited whitewater action you come to a small weir which is easily paddled over - you might want to park and play! From here the water picks up some speed as you get closer to Inniskeen village. Just after the weir there is a low bridge which may be limboed under with care. The river narrows and with the extra energy there are more wave trains and also trees to watch out for. In inniskeen village two more low bridges to consider as well as some pitch in put players who will be surprised to see you pass. A few play opportunities in the village and then the river slows a little as it passes another old mill.
Paddle on and a further @ 2miles you will see the the horizon line getting lost and the river banks rising up. This is the Amazon section an easy grade 2 series of natural steps which seem harder as it gets a little dark!!! At the end of this section there is a tail squirting eddy.. From here it is more moving water meandering on to the finish at the stone bridge....
Take out on river right before the bridge - be careful as this is a dangerous section of road...
I never had any bother - In one section there is a few private signs up for fishermen. There is a little wooden house on the banks of the river - I don't think this guy would be offering tea but I have never met him.
Low bridges / barbed wire in a few places / plenty of trees and a few will be blocking the route.At the put in there is a mill race on river right which is a potential hazard.