The Global Paddling Community

Waterfall: Ireland, Mid-West, Limerick, Clare Glens River, Clare Glens Falls

What's it like

There is a fifteen foot drop located just halfway down the Clare Glens river. It is one of the highest runnable drops in Ireland, with quite a technical pice of WW until reaching it. There is a chimney on the right side of the river, which is best avoided at medium to high water levels, as you will get trashed if you boof and beaten to the bottom if you pencil it. Getting caught in the chimney in high water can be painful, but there is plenty of room at the bottom to set up rescue. Just left of the center is the best line to take during those conditions. At lower water levels the chimney is taken, or you will bounce off of rocks on your way down.

The surrounding WW is a grade 4 river, with a very short run, approximately 1 mile, consisting mainly of drops with a few technical rapids.

In summer, the water temperature is not too bad but wear a cag in winter as it gets very cold.

Best time: this river is totally dependent on rain. Heavy rains (at least a day) will most likely make it runnable.

How to get there

Take the main road to Dublin out of Limerick city. Approximately 3 miles out of town, shortly after Finneagans pub, you will come to a right turn saying 'Thurles'. Take this road and stay on it until you get to Newport. Go straight through town, and take a right turn signposted Clare Glens. Continue driving until you get to a bridge, approximately 1.5 miles up the road. This is the Glens river and should be the take-out point. There are two ways to access the put-ins. If you only have one car, you can change here and portage along the river bank to the put in at Top Drop. In addition, this gives you a chance to scout the river.

If you have a second car for shuttle you can drive to the put-in. To get there, you continue on past the bridge until the next cross junction. Take the left turn and continue for about a mile until reaching an old carpark that has been blocked by clay. You can park your car on the side of the road to get changed. Upon reaching the river, you will have to cross a field on the left hand side and walk an additional 100 yards upstream to get to   Top Drop.

More info

The water levels of the Glens can vary considerably, just within a couple of days. As such, it is better to contact local paddlers to check up on water conditions. The river level is determined at the take out point. There is a rock on the right bank of the river just downstream of the bridge. When it is just barely covered by water, the water level is perfect. If more than 4 inches of the rock is visible, the water levels are probably too low.

Phone numbers : Andy Mullins (mobile): +353 87 6691134 or Cathal Ferris (mobile): +353 87 6438725.

Locals

If the Glens are up, there will probably be a few paddlers on it, either from ULKC or other clubs. In order to get to Top Drop you will have to cross a field. The farmer that owns the field doesn't like paddlers much, because many of them break his fences. Please take care not to break any.

Info sources

[mail address protected from spambots with javascript]

Nearest weather station (°C):