Brief River Description

The Rye flows through Maynooth and joins up with the Liffey at Leixlip below the dam.

Directions to the Put-in

The River is located in Leixlip, Co.Kildare. From the M4 take exit #2 signposted Leixlip.

Take the R148 (Leixlip road) towards Leixlip village. It runs right and over the river Liffey, it then turns to the left and you're entering Leixlip village. Take the next right at a set of traffic lights up Captains Hill. Pass the Rye view B&B on your left after a couple of hundred meters. (I didn't know it existed but it was on google maps), St.Mary's park housing estate is on your right. After another few hundred meters there is a caution school children sign on the left and further down the road on the left you'll see a red brick bell tower of a church. Take the left hand turn just after the caution children sign which is before the entrance to the carpark for the church.

Follow this road straight for about 150m, it then winds around and down to the left and then right. This leads you into the parking area for the get in/take out.

Park 'er up. Get in above the pedestrian bridge on river right, float down under the bridge and into the playspot.

Directions to the Take-out

Get out river-right anywhere you can along the public park footpath. It can be a bit tricky in high water so a quick scout is advisable before dropping on. Don't get out river-left which is private land or risk trouble with the locals (see video).

River Description

The wave/hole:
Since the video was taken flood prevention construction has taken place.

Usually this spot will work nicely if Sluice is washed out further downstream. If you go to Sluice for a session and find it too high, this is always worth the 5 minute trip up the road for a check.

If you find its a bit too low/shallow, drive back into Leixlip the way you came and try just under the main Leixlip bridge. A small wave forms (better than nothing) at a level somewhere inbetween Sluice being washed out and this spot being that bit too low. The get in for this spot is on river right as you go over the bridge leaving Leixlip heading towards the M4.

Local issues

River left beside the spot is somebody's back garden as we found out.

River level gauge

If the Liffey is in flood this spot usually works well.

River Hazards

Sometimes it can be difficult to get out right beside the spot and you have to go with the flow downstream about 200m before you get an eddy in which you can get out from.

Author(s)