Rivers in Kerry and the South West
 |
The Lower Carragh |
|
The Upper Carragh |
|
The Clydagh |
|
The Flesk |
|
The Lower Flesk |
|
The Roughty |
|
The Gaddoch |
|
The Clare Glens |
|
Ennistymon Falls |
The Lower Carragh flows out of Carragh Lough. The lower Carragh is a great river to paddle in flood. Basically, a continuous wavetrain for a mile or two with plenty of surfable, showoffable waves for "da ladz." Still, confident beginners or intermediate paddlers should enjoy this river too. Major hazzards come from dead sheep, barbed wire fences in the fields the river suddenly flows through, etc. If the rivers not flooding, forget it.
The Upper Carragh produces a number of very large rapids with big holes and standing waves when in flood. This is the river that's famous for the shout: "Break out behind the shed." Indeed, I broke out inside the shed the last time I was on it. A pretty much excellent experience all round, the boring bits between the rapids can be alleviated by paddling across fields, over picnic tables, through sheds, rolling under low bridges etc. Again, if it's not in flood, forget it.
The Clydagh is a long(ish) grade 2 paddle which leads down to the Flesk. It's a good river for intermediates but has one good grade 3 / 4 stretch in the middle for photo opportunities....In flood this becomes a much more interesting river, but then again, so do most rivers...Not much to say really, not bad, not great either. A lot of groups take their beginners down this and then continue down the Flesk themselves. If you plan to do this, make sure you get on nice and early 'cos the Clydagh will take longer than you expect and you don't want to be on the Flesk in the dark...
I'll come right out and admit it: I've yet to do the Flesk. I plan to it this Christmas. I've seen enough photo's, heard the stories and the bragging though, to know that it's regarded as one of the best rivers in the country. Generally graded a 4 with a couple of grade 5 stretches, it's a comitting plunge down a very steep ( gradient and sided) valley. Big drops, stoppers, boulder gardens await the adrenaline seeker. It comes highly recommended.
Photo of Eric Conor on Pol Gorm, last drop on the Flesk
Photo's of the same day on UCD's website
The Clydagh and the Flesk are different stretches of the same river, see above. On the map it's all called the Clydagh. Not to worry though. Some friends of mine paddled past the takeout for the Flesk, and found some nice grade 3 and 4 stuff scattered among the flat water of what we will call the "Lower Flesk." Beyond that, I know nothing.
I normally go surfing rather than do the Roughty, but it's meant to be a good river with a few "interesting" bits. I think I'll have a go this Christmas. I'll see if I can tell you a bit more in the new year....
This is another one on my "must do" list. Flowing down the Hag's Glen it's only do-able in spate. This is the kinda river where you'll hear the boulders rumbling past under you. Lots of stoppers and haystacks and white water. In fact, any photo's I've seen show nothing but white water.....It has a pretty high thrash quotient (on gear and bodies) but people who come off this in one piece can't stop talking about it; a pretty good sign.
Where to begin about the Clare Glens....This is one of my favourite rivers. It's a continuous grade 3 / 4 for a good few miles with interesting and technical rapids all the way. Large vertical drops are peppered liberally along the stretch, several of which are over 12 feet high. The main section, which includes the Main Falls, the Double Drop ( aren't the people who name rapids in Ireland imaginative!) and a number of other bits and pieces are ideally situated for spectators and photos. Always a good day out.
aka "The Cascades," I think this is a man-made salmon run, but who cares. This is worth a look if your on your way to Lahinch. Flowing through Ennistymon village, it consists of a large vertical drop (10 feet high I think) and a series of stoppers and waves for 200 metres downstream. Good for showing off, there's even a pub with a balcony that overlooks it. That's all there is though. Don't be tempted to paddle downstream in the hope of finding more action, the river loses all it's altitiude in one go and all that's left is a very long, very boring meander to the sea at Lahinch - you're faster driving there.
