chocolate brown head.
are mottled grey with a
Females are smaller, and
cured by bathing in the holy waters.
barring and speckling.front of the yellow eye.
that skin complaints and other ailments could be
made up of exquisitely finecircular white patch in
the river that flows into the Lough. They believed
close up the grey colour isgreenish black head and a
reputed healing qualities of
black rear end. When seenlook black and white with a
drawn to the place by theMale Goldeneye
Male gadwell
mallard, and with an obvioussized diving ducks. Males
as 1712, pilgrims were
a little smaller than theGoldeneyes, medium
•
their ailments. As far back
coloured dabbling ducks,wet woodland.
hoping to be healed from
Gadwalls are very grey-hedgerows and patches of
•
history of attracting people
dollaghan trout and lamprey. unimproved grassland,
Washing Bay has a long
pollan, eel, atlantic salmon,
Holy River
especially where there is
within the Lough includefrequent the shoreline,
Access Point:Washing Bay Fish. Species of interestIrish Hares, which
Eel
•
Irish Hare
•
Look out for:Look out for:
and blotchy cheeks.
increased to 40 acres when the Lough was lowered!shore reed was used because of its durability.
is brown with a dark head
O’Neill for 100 guineas in 1804, but subsequently itwithstand weathering. The thatch, a local lough-
breast and tail. The female
acres in size when a local fisherman sold it to Lordby four stone-built corners and whitewashed to help
and neck, and a blackaround the base of the bill.
about a thousand years old. The island was only 6today. It was primarily built of mud walls, supported
grey with a rusty red headcharacteristic white patches
Celtic monastic settlementcottage, the 300 year old Coyle’s Cottage still stands
ochard
mallard. The male is paletail. Females are brown, with
and is the remains of aNeagh plying their craft. Historically a fisherman’s
Male P
Male Scaup ducks, smaller than aflanks, grey back and a black
on the island is 43 feet higheel fishermen of Lough
Pochards, stocky divingshoulder and breast, white Image: Paul Glendell/Natural England
•
settlement. The round towerto observe the traditional
west shore of the Lough. Males have black heads,
was once a monasticfacilities. It is a good place
Ballinderry River on theresemblance to tufted ducks.
island on Lough Neagh andcaravan and camping
the River Blackwater andScaups, diving ducks with a
•
Rams Island is the largestovernight stays, plus full
Rams Island jetty
spotted in the areas near tobrown and orange-tip.
s Cottageserviced berths for
which occasionally can beincluding ringlet, meadow
Access Point:Rams Island
Coyle’
Battery Harbour has fully
White-clawed crayfish
White-clawed crayfish,Butterflies, along the shore,
• •
Orange-tip butterfly
Look out for:Look out for:
Access Point:Battery Harbour
young grebes often ride on their parents' back.
traditionally managed meadows.on regular tours. out of the water and shake their heads. Very
Pleasant walks wind through the woods andher original condition and now leaves from Ballyronan display in which they rise
bird hides that are located around the Island.on the Clyde in 1963 and has since been restored to have an elaborate courtshipyellow eye.
watch birds and other wildlife of the Lough from sixpassenger vessels in Northern Ireland. She was built ornate head plumes. Theyhave a small crest and a
National Nature Reserve is an excellent place toMaid of Antrim - one of the oldest wooden-hulled elegant water birds withand white on the sides. They
has exhibition and conference facilities. Theshore of Lough Neagh. The Marina is home to the living here are delightfullyhead, neck, breast and black
ufted Duck
home to the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre whichBallyronan Wood has a pleasant walkway along the Great crested grebes,mallard. They are black on the
•
Male T
Great crested grebeIsland National Nature Reserve. Oxford Island is alsoBallyronan is known for its pubs and live music. surface of the water.diving ducks, smaller than a
the edge of the OxfordThe friendly village of hunt very close to theTufted ducks, medium-sized
•
situated on Oxford Island atand full camping amenities. Water Bat) which likes tothe Washing Bay area.
picnic area. The Marina isand picnic areas, a restaurant Bat (also known as thehistorically been recorded in
has 190 berths, a play andover 70 berths, slipways, play of these is the DaubentonsIslands at Toome and has
s Bat
Neagh Rescue service andpicturesque facility boasting Neagh in late evening. Onethe shoreline near Three
s tresses
launching site for the LoughBallyronan Marina is a found hunting over Loughlady’s tresses orchid grow on
Kinnego Marina is aThe newly upgraded
Daubenton’
Bats. Several species areRare plants, including Irish
•
K
innego Marina
Irish lady’
•
Ballyronan jetties
Access Point:Kinnego MarinaAccess Point:Ballyronan Marina
At Antrim Lough Shore Park look out for:At Washing Bay look out for:
EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
In the unlikely event of an Emergency use the following numbers:
e
o
can
olice and Ambulance 999 or 112 (all phones) and ask forP
the Coast Guard.
Cranfieldoint:Access P
LSITRA
* Note that mobile phone reception is unreliable in many areas.
On the shores of Lough
Cranfield Church
SAFETY
ointNeagh at Churchtown PCanoeing is an adventure sport and as such should be treated
Finding freedom in Northern Ireland on the
lie the ruins of an ancient
with respect. If you are new to the sport, it is advisable to join
sIrish Church and St Olcan’
an organised club where expert coaching can be provided.
radition statesell. THoly W
Lough Neagh
.cani.org.uk)(Details of clubs and courses can be found at www
that the well was blessed
railTCanoe
with healing properties by
When taking part in canoeing consider the following safety
advice:
St Olcan who, it is reputed, lies buried atS LARGEST INLAND’THE UNITED KINGDOMGH IS LOUGH NEA
Cranfield's 13th Century church in earth brought
ADDLERS CANPVER 90 MILES/150KM.A SHORELINE OF OWITH LAKE
Be aware of the limitations and needs of larger craft that 1.
THE LOUGHOUND ARAND INLETS S YOUS BATHE NUMEREXPLORE
are restricted to deep water channels.
s fine spring water andome. The well’from R
VING WHILST OBSERTER AWANSE OF OPEN AST EXPVTHE OR Be aware that large sand barges operate in Lough Neagh, 2.
amber coloured crystals were believed to protect
Lough Neagh is the United
ORICAL SITES.AND HISTWILDLIFE A DIVERSITY OF
especially near sand quays.
women during childbirth, men from drowning and
s largest inland lake with aingdom’K
Be aware that seaplanes may operate on the Lough.3.
. Emigrants tohomes from fire and burglary
shoreline of over 90miles/150km.
ear adequate buoyancy in the form of a personal life W4.
America carried the crystals to protect them from
rail links theThe Lough Neagh T
jacket or buoyancy aid. Canoe buoyancy should be
shipwreck.
rail, which enters atBlackwater T
sufficient to keep the canoe afloat if you capsize.
the southern end, and the LowerIt is not recommended to canoe alone – three boats is the 5.
Look out for:
rail, which exits at theBann Tminimum required for most rescues.
Otters, which live around
•
Otters
northern end. Combining these trails it is possible
emember! A canoe may be difficult to see from a larger R6.
most of the Lough may be
to paddle from the southern part of Northern
craft so carry a whistle.
sighted in early morning or
Ireland to the Atlantic Ocean on the north coast.
ou do not need to be a strong swimmer but you will need Y7.
the water confidence to deal with a capsized boat and get
late evening.
.ashore safely
Coots, which are all-
• In the days when waterways provided a means of
rolonged immersion in cold waterear adequate clothing. PW8.
black and larger than their
transporting goods Lough Neagh was an important
leads to hypothermia – hypothermia can kill.
cousin, the moorhen.
hub which linked the Lagan, the Blackwater and
Consider attending a recognised training course, which 9.
Their distinctive white
oday the main waterUlster and Newry canals. T
Cootexplores skills, safety and environmental issues.
beak with 'shield' above
based transport is by sand barges which remove



10. Carry and know how to use a map and compass.
earns them the title 'bald'.
sand from the lough bed and transfer it to quays
11. Lough Neagh can become rough in strong winds - carrying
on the northern and eastern shores.
rafting poles is a sensible precaution (rafted canoes are
more stable in rough conditions).
A unique and diverse shoreline together with theLeave details of your journey with a responsible adult.12.
vastness of open water provides for the novice and
TIONTHER INFORMAFUR
experienced paddlers, while the rich wild life – the
ourist Information Centres/Accommodation:T
arkAntrim Lough Shore Point:Access P
lough being an important conservation area- and
: +44 (0) 28 9442 8331TAntrim
numerous historical sites ensures that the paddlers
: +44 (0) 28 9266 0038TLisburn
Situated on the shores of Lough
Boats at Lough Shore P
have a fulfilling experience.
: +44 (0) 28 3832 2205TCraigavon
: +44 (0) 28 8776 7259TDungannon
arkNeagh, Antrim Lough Shore P
: +44 (0) 28 8676 9949TCookstown
is an area steeped in historyThe trail can be started at any access point and
: +44 (0) 28 7963 1510TMagherafelt
. and natural beautycan be completed in full or in part. It can be a
: 0845 6008000Tolice - non-emergency:P
The Lough Shore Coffee House
arkserious undertaking as large waves build up on the
Any changes to the trail that may Information Updates:
will be updated on our web occur
is open all year round andvast expanse of open water during windy periods,
are made aware of site as we
during the summer months.challenging the most competent paddler
and tell us them. Please log on
there are a range of events from Summer Bands and
s new and s old, what’what’
iking Boat Racerips and the VChildrens Activities to Boat TThis guide has been designed for canoeists bywhat you thought of the trail!
on Lough Neagh. A slipway offers free access to the Loughcanoeists. It provides practical advice on
.canoeni.comwwwCAAN:
for boats and canoes and camping is available onsite.everything required for an enjoyable experience
NITB:
.discovernorthernireland.comwww
own andark is within walking distance of Antrim TThe Pincluding details of camp sites, access points,
entland, Boyd McClurg,hotography: Alan PPAcknowledgements:
local attractions including Antrim Forum Leisure Centre,phone numbers etc.
, Think Studio John Doherty
Antrim Castle Gardens, Clotworthy Arts Centre and
Design: g2 design
ood.ea's WR
Disclaimer:
Happy paddling! The information on this guide may not be 100% accurate – it is designed to be used in conjunction
with an OSNI 1:50,000 map. The publishers, authors and contributors can accept no responsibility for
any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person as a result of information or advice given in
this guide.
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