Brief River Description

When this river is up, its continuous and really fast. Eddies are few and far between. Expect some of the cleanest and clearest water you'll ever see in a river in Ireland. The river drops 60 metres over 2 kilometres. Watch out for barbed wire crossing the river.

Directions to the Put-in

This short river drains the Burren and runs into the sea near Fanore in Co. Clare. To find it, head north along the cost road from Lisdoonvarna to Fanore. After you pass the school on your right you will come to a bridge over the Caher river. This river runs alongside the caravan park To get to the get in, head up stream on the road on river left hand for about 2km or as far up as there is water to paddle. Parking on the side of the road isn't much of a problem. At the end park in the Church car park of at the Caravan park on river right just down stream of the bridge.

Directions to the Take-out

Get in: Drive up the road that runs beside the river for as far as there is water to run to the river. Get out: Which get out you use will be decided by which eddies paddlers manage to catch. Aim to get out near the bridge beside the church. The lack of eddies might mean a long walk back to the church car park.

River Description

The gradient isn't lost over big drops, but rather over continuous wave trains that are evenly spread out throughout the run. The largest of the vertical drops is about 1.5 metres high. This run could be completed in a matter of minutes if paddled non stop.

Swims will be very unpleasant.

Capsizing could well write-off a helmet.

A fast roll is essential incase things to go wrong.

Bring good foot ware, as there will be lots of walking to be done in both inspections and walking around the barbed wire fences. This river is a fast andrenline rush with a few interesting parts.

Local issues

Not really and local issues, whenever this river is up there won't be many other people around. Watch out for barbed wire fences. This river is often run by Limerick Canoe Club.

River level gauge

The Caher rises and falls very fast. Get there right after the rain stops to get it at its best. Usually takes a couple hours of rain to bring it up nicely. 

Note: The Caher will rise and fall in the time it takes Ennistymon to begin to react to recent rain so if your planning to hit both head to the Caher first.

River Hazards

The water is constantly moving very quickly. Some of the drops are shallow, but nothing to worry about. There are plenty of places to get pinned against rocks. Allow plenty of time to scout the river.  

Watch out for barbed wire fences, always have a good look at the whole river for any before getting on. At the moment there are two at the get out just above to bridge at the bottom of the river. They can be un-clipped while paddling and replaced with a bit of rope work after. The Farmer who owns the field is very nice and likes paddlers. The river is to low to paddle 300+ days of the year and is a water source to his herd, the wires are to stop cattle wondering upstream and getting out on the road. 

Author(s)

Original Author: Peter OSullivan
Latest Author: Barry Loughnane
(Full History)

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