Brief River Description

The Dunkellin river is a nice easy grade two with some nice wave trains. Great for beginners to experience moving water for the first time.

Directions to the Put-in

Kilcolgan, Co. Galway.

Traveling on the main road (N18) from Galway towards Limrick make a left after Mother Hubbards restaurant. Follow that road for about 4km until you reach a bridge. This is the put in.

Directions to the Take-out

The Take out is located at either bridge in Kilcolgan village.

River Description

Below the bridge, about 25m from the put in, the rapids start, a nice wave train with a wave hole in the centre, notthing to worry about. When the river is on the correct level you can surf the wave. The rest of the river is made up of smaller wave trains and flat sections.

Local issues

No problems have been reported in the past, however parking correctly and respecting landowners will avoid future problems.

River level gauge

The River needs a medium amount of rain during the winter, you can judge the river level from the bridge outside Kilcolgan village. If the field is flooded this is a good sign.

River Hazards

During the winter the river floods the fields on its banks, sometimes the barbed wire fences can be covered with water.

The Fisheries Board have added a "fish counter" to the river just below the Kileelybeg bridge aka the third bridge. It comprises a weir with a shoulder high concrete channel in the direction of the flow. There is not much room upstream to get out and inspect, it has the potential to be a great tree gatherer, beware! The resulting stopper downstream may cause problems in high water.

I would advise a quick look before put in.

Author(s)

Original Author: Sean Byrne
Latest Author: Pat MacAlinney
(Full History)

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