Lough Neagh Canoe T
Finding freedom in Northern Ireland on the
Legend has it that Lough Neagh was created by the
great Irish giant Finn McCool. The story goes that whilst
chasing away a Scottish rival, 'The Mighty Man' scooped
out the Lough basin and threw it after the interloper,
who was attempting to flee Ulster by way of the Giant’s
Causeway. He missed, and the piece of land fell into the
Irish Channel and in doing so formed the Isle of Man.
The name means the Lough of the horse-god Eochu.
He was the lord of the underworld, who was supposed
LOUGH
DONEGAL
LONDONDERRY
ANTRIM
BEG
to exist beneath its waters. TYRONE
BELFAST B182
B18
Scientists say that the Lough was formed in the early
FERMANAGH
DOWN
ARMAGH
ANTRIM LOUGH SHORE PARK
Tertiary period, some 50 million years ago, when a fault
MONAGHAN
RANDALSTOWN
A
Lower River Bann
CAVAN Antrim Lough Shore Park
LOUTH
line occurred and an area of land sunk allowing it to fill
START OF
River Maine
Moyola River
GR 136 869
LOWER BANN
TOOME
Showers and TIC available at caravan park
with water. Six major rivers flow into Lough Neagh, and
CANOE TRAIL
B18
Warning: Weir - short portage required
T: 028 94464963 (March - October)
M22
only one, the Lower Bann, flows out to meet the
A6 Rea’s Wood National Nature Reserve
Randalstown Forest and Farr’s Bay
Atlantic Ocean north of Coleraine. The level of the Doss Wildfowl Refuge
National Nature Reserve
TRAAD POINT
Lough has been lowered on 4 occasions, the first in 1846
Traad Point
ANTRIM
and the last in 1959.
GR 958 873
Traad Local Nature Reserve
CRANFIELD
Cranfield
A
BALLYRONAN MARINA
GR 055 852
Ballyronan Marina
A Six Mile Water
GR 947 855 Skady Tower
Lough Neagh Islands National
GR 998 845
Nature Reserve
Ballyronan Wood Local Nature Reserve (Torpedo Platform)
TIC available
Water Abstraction Tower
GR 122 829
BALLYGINNIF
Ballinderry River B160
Ballyginnif
GR 110 810
KINTURK QUAY
Kinturk Quay
GR 962 792
Cultural Centre T: 028 8673 6512
BATTERY HARBOUR
A
Battery Harbour
GR 965 771
Lifeboat rescue station LOUGH NEAGH
CRUMLIN
rail
Brookend Nature Reserve
RAMS ISLAND
A
Rams Island
BROCKAGH
GR 096 723
Brockagh
Informal camping only outside
GR 909 690
breeding season (March- July)
WASHING BAY A
Ballinderry River
Washing Bay
GR 901 661
Area for pitching tents
Community hall on site may have
access to fresh water and toilets
Washing Bay Local Nature Reserve
GAWLEYS GATE
Gawleys Gate
GR 087 674
Fresh water available at back of public house
FINISH OF
Derrywarragh Island Toilets available in public house
BLACKWATER
CANOE TRAIL
BARTINS BAY
BANNFOOT
Bartins Bay
GR 075 657
Bannfoot Emerson’s Quay
River Blackwater River Bann
GR 961 628 GR 013 634
Lough Neagh Islands National Nature Reserve (Tolan’s Flat)
MAGHERY Navigable to Navigable to Tolan’s Point and Bartin’s Bay Wildfowl Refuge
Maghery
Blackwatertown Portadown
Lough Neagh Islands National Nature Reserve (Padian)
GR 922 636
Maghery Wildfowl Refuge
CONEY ISLAND
M1
Coney Island
Earning a W
GR 937 640
LOUGH NEAGH
DISCOVERY CENTRE TO LURGAN
1 Please be friendly and polite to local residents Lough Neagh Discovery Centre
A
KINNEGO MARINA
GR 048 621
Kinnego Marina
and other water users.
Education Centre
GR 059 613
PORTADOWN
2. Drive with care and consideration and park sensibly.
TIC available
Oxford Island National Nature Reserve Lifeboat rescue station
3. Change clothing discreetly, preferably out of 0 1 2 3
4 5 Kilometres
Kinnego Bay Wildfowl Refuge
public view.
4. Gain permission before going on to private property.
0 15 30 45 60 75
elcome
5. Minimise your impact on the natural environment
Estimated paddling time (mins)
KEY
and use recognised access points.
APPROXIMATE SCALE
6. Be sensitive to wildlife and other users regarding
Official campsite Shower Parking
Informal camping Public house Historical building/ruins
the level of noise you create.
OSNI 1:

50,000 map used
Shop Slipway Jetty
7. Observe wildlife from a distance and be aware of
Fresh water Cafe/restaurant Hospital - AE
sensitive times when birds are nesting or over wintering.
Telephone Toilets Canoe Step
8. Maintain positive, co-operative relationships with
MAPS NEEDED: OSNI DISCOVERER SERIES
A Access points
other water users and landowners.
LOUGH NEAGH: 1:50,000 Sheet 14
National Nature Reserves
9. Please keep clear of anglers. Friendly
ARMAGH: 1:50,000 Sheet 19
Wildfowl Refuges
communication can create a positive reaction. CRAIGAVON: 1:50,000 Sheet 20
GR Grid reference
10. Follow the ‘Leave no Trace’ principles. For more
Detailed Admiralty Chart 2163 available for Lough Neagh.
Town facilities include shops, banks, post offices and restaurants.
information visit www.leavenotraceireland.org.
Detailed Pilot Book available for River Bann and Lough Neagh Public houses on the shore are open at nights and weekends. Cafés/restaurants and can
o
e
11. Keep the numbers in your party consistent with
official campsites are mainly open in the summer months.
ISBN 0 9517068 9 6.
TRAI LS
All sites with slips and jetties cater for disability access with varying degrees
safety, the nature of the water conditions and the depending on the water level. It is recommended to check before starting a journey.
impact on your surroundings.
Getting There
Note distances/times are based on the nearest access
point on Lough Neagh. The Lough is approx 40 miles
Camping Facilities
from top to bottom and 20 miles across.
Official campsites
CANOE TOURS Action Outdoors +44 (0) 28 4483 2894 (instruction, guided tours)
Belfast Activity Centre +44 (0) 28 9060 0132 (canoe hire, instruction, guided tours, provision for disability)
To Lough Neagh from:
CAMPSITE TELEPHONE OPEN FROM
Bluelough Adventure Centre +44 (0) 28 4377 0714 (canoe hire, instruction, guided tours, provision for disability)
Antrim Lough Shore Park 028 9446 4963 March - October
BELFAST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Kinnego Marina 028 3832 7573 April - September
Clearsky Adventure Centre +44 (0) 28 4372 3933 (instruction, guided tours, provision for disability)
Distance: 5 miles
Ballyronan Marina 028 7941 8399 April - September
Craigavon Watersport Centre +44 (0) 28 3834 2669 (canoe hire, instruction, guided tours, provision for disability)
Time: 10 minutes
All the above sites have toilets, fresh water and shower facilities
Mobile Team Adventure +44 (0) 28 9180 0809 (canoe hire, instruction, guided tours, provision for disability)
THE GEORGE BEST BELFAST CITY AIRPORT
24 hours per day (see map and key for extra facilities).
Outdoor Concept +44 (0) 28 9753 1343 (canoe hire, instruction, guided tours, provision for disability)
Distance: 18 miles
Advance booking is advised – a camping fee is charged.
This fee varies per site.
Time: 35 minutes For insurance purposes some companies may only allow you to hire their boats if you have a minimum of a
BCU Level 2 coach award (or equivalent) for the craft that you wish to use, otherwise you will need to hire a qualified instructor.
BELFAST FERRY TERMINALS
Overnight camping Bluelough offer a 50% discount to all CANI, ICU, BCU, SCA and WCA members!
Distance: 15 miles
Time: 30 minutes
Is possible on the grass/beach at the public access sites but note that
some sites are fairly limited with room for 2-3 tents maximum.
LARNE FERRY TERMINAL
Distance: 22 miles
Site Parking Toilets Showers Water Facilities Nearby
This leaflet has been produced by CANI and CAAN.
Time: 35 minutes
Gawleys Gate • • • • Pub nearby serves food
Bartin’s Bay • Pub at Gawleys Gate
The Canoe Association of Northern Ireland is the
Washing Bay • Shops at Brockagh 3km governing body for canoeing in Northern Ireland.
CITY OF DERRY AIRPORT
Battery Harbour • • Pub nearby serves food Email: office@cani.org.uk
Distance: 60 miles
Brockagh • • • • Pub nearby
Website: www.cani.org.uk
Time: 1 hr 20 minutes
Camping is also possible on Rams and Coney Island but there are no
The Countryside Access and Activities Network
is responsible for the strategic development,
DUBLIN AIRPORT
facilities, including water, and restricted in the nesting season.
management and promotion of countryside
Distance: 80 miles
recreation across Northern Ireland.
The Countryside
Time: 1 hr 40 minutes
Do not light fires at any of the above sites unless permission has been
Access and Activities Network Email: info@countrysiderecreation.com
given by the landowner. Never miss an opportunity to use a proper
for Northern Ireland
Website: www.countrysiderecreation.com
toilet facility. If you must go in the outdoors follow the ‘Leave no
DUBLIN AREA FERRY TERMINALS
Trace’ principles and guidelines.
Both CANI and CAAN endorse the principles of
Distance: 90 miles
‘Leave No Trace’.
Time: 2 hours
RAMSAR site
This project has received financial support from: This project has
also been supported by:
ROSSLARE FERRY TERMINAL Lough Neagh is an Area of Special
Distance: 180 miles
Scientific Interest (ASSI); a Special
Time: 4 hours
Protection Area (SPA) designated
CORK AIRPORT/FERRY TERMINALS
under the EU Birds Directive; and
Distance: 240 miles
Time: 5 hrs 20 minutes
one of the World’s most important
Wetlands – listed as a RAMSAR site.
European Union
Structural Funds
ACCESS MAP:based upon 2008 Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland 1:50,000 map with the permission of the
Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown Copyright 2008. Permit no 70101.
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