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The "Annamoe" which Wicklow paddlers refer to is actually the best stretch of the Avonmore river, it's name from it's put-in at Annamoe village - try not to be too confused.
It is probably one of the most popular rivers in Wicklow. It's fairly accessible to beginners and is a good laugh for more experienced paddlers. Also, as the river flows through two lakes in it's upper stages helps to maintain a higher water level for longer.
The trip is broken into two main sections: the first is not too serious, the odd Grade 2 rapid with a smattering of Grade 3. Any hassle is likely to come from some tight bends with attending trees near enough to the start. I've spent many a happy Saturday screaming at beginners to PLF (Paddle Like Fuck!) and then pulling them out from under trees anyway. You have been warned; it can get a little soupy. The stretch ends at Trooperstown Wood car park, which you can't miss (there's a big bridge). Typically, any beginner who's had difficulty with this section should get out here as the next stretch probably goes up a grade or so.
The second stretch goes through some rapids and boulder gardens which change dramatically with the water level (Generally Grade 3 I'd say). The river gradually gets steeper, climaxing in Jacksons (Click here for video and photos). Jackson's is about a 4 metre drop into a narrow gorge. The river goes from about 50ft wide to little more than 12ft as it goes over the drop, hence it can be very interesting at the bottom. The line through this changes with water level so it can be different every time...(the photos and video clips are of medium water level). There's great spectator sport to be had watching someone caught in the stopper here!!! Extraction of gear, swimmers, pride is possible at the last eddy river right before the river drops out of the mini-gorge. Some kind soul has put steps down the rock.
Essentially Jacksons is the last real feature and is near the end of the stretch so you should take your time and enjoy it. Or wander up and do the bottom bit of the Glenmacnass. The take out is at the next bridge you encounter, about 1K downstream.
The Avonmore, as I know it, puts in at the takeout for the Annamoe, i.e. it's actually the same river as the Annamoe, just the next stretch. I hope you're not too confused. This is more beginner friendly than the stretch above it and large groups can often be seen getting on for a Sunday afternoon paddle. For British club paddlers, it's a lot like the Aberglaslyn from the lake down towards the village. There's the odd rapid, tree and eddyline to keep beginners interested. In higher water it can be a lot more fun with nice wave trains and the like. A word of warning though, boatchasing can be a long and frustrating exercise on this river when it's in flood. Take it from me. The takout that we always use is at the bridge in the Vale of Clara; there's a church there. The river continues on though and rumour has it that it might have some stuff on it......
The usually paddled stretch of the "Annamoe" is from Annamoe village down to the put in for the Avonmore (If you're confused, see above). In very high water, we sometimes add on the earlier stretch of the Upper Annamoe, from just below Lough Dan down to Annamoe village and then do the rest of the river. In high water it has a number of big and bouncy rapids which I'd say are Grade 3-is. It also has several narrow and tree lined bits which can catch out the unwary. Generally worth it if you're looking to do a new bit of water.
The Avonbeg, while not one of my favourite rivers is good enough to be worth checking out if you're in the area. It tends to be very narrow and overgrown with Rhododendrons. In fact, in places you feel as though you're paddling through a tunnel. To me, it always seems like a scrapy paddle down towards the middle section, where the fun is at, and then another scapy paddle to the takout. Then again, I'm usually hungover when I do the Avonbeg. The middle bit consists of some Grade 3 (in my opinion) water with some nice pop-out spots. (Photo 1, Photo 2). I'm not sure about who owns the land, but if it seems kushty, I'd get out on the left anywhere along there (the road is just above the river) rather than paddle down to the normal takeout, where the road crosses the river at a big stone bridge.
One good thing about going to the end is that there is a great pub just past the bridge. You sit in planks across barrels around an old stove. All the old boy serves is Guinness and Smithwicks, and he still sells Marathon bars! (for those of you who can't remember, Marathon bars changed their name to Snickers in the very early nineties...)
The Glenmacnass flows down to join the Annamoe just after Jacksons. It's probably one of the best grade 4 rivers in the country. It's definitely not one for beginners. We're talking about a steep, narrow, boulder strewn river with plenty to keep you interested.
The most dramatic bit is called the "Boiling Hole" according to the guide book (although, many refer to it imaginatively enough as "the Double Drop"). It's pretty much the first the thing you'll meet if you get on high enough upstream. It's a double drop (see what I mean about imagination?) with munchy stoppers at the bottom of both and undercuts big enough to hide a truck under in both pools. I'd call it a Grade 5 section, but I tell you now...the portage is probably gnarlier than the river (hey, I'm not ashamed to admit it!!!).
The rest of the river is not quite as serious but you'll still feel as though you've done a good river if ya' get on just below the Boiling Hole / Double Drop. To ensure that you're getting on below it, follow the Wicklow Way path from the road down to the river and get in at the wooden footbridge. This is about 100 yards downstream from TBH
The Glenmacnass actually flows through Laragh village and behind Lynams pub (Hoorrrraaayyyy!). The short stretch from Laragh Bridge down to the Annamoe is great fun and can easily be got to by carrying your boat up from below Jacksons.
It's been a while since I've paddled the Dargle. Most of what I can remember involves rapids, boulders, drops, stoppers, pins, upside-down spells, swims.....and lots of them. It's pretty much continuous Grade 4 paddling for a good couple of miles with some technical stuff thrown in for good measure. It feels similar to the Aberglaslyn Gorge in Wales, except longer. Beyond that, I can't really add that much. Check it out!
The Source is one of the legends in Irish paddling. I've never done it , so I can't tell much about it. What I do know is that it's a Grade 5 slugfest straight down the side of a mountain. Some paddlers call the next stretch "the Source" but lets get one thing straight...the stretch I'm talking about, the real Source, flows down from the Liffey Head Bog at the very top of the valley, they're talking about the "Upper Liffey" which, while fun, is nowhere near as serious a proposition. One of these days I plan to get on the Source and see if it's reputation is all it's cracked up to be. In the meantime I'll shut up. Grade 5 paddlers with a penchant for ultra-narrow, ultra steep paddling should check it out if there has been a lot of rain.
The Upper Liffey is the next stretch down from the Source of the Liffey. I think it's a grand stretch of continuous, fast Grade 3 water. While there's not that much of a challenge in itself , the continuous nature of the river can wear down many beginners. Boatchasing can be another drag here as the boats just seem to go and go. In flood it can get a little crazy. But generally it's a good day out.
The Lower Liffey actually flows through counties Kildare and Dublin rather than Wicklow, but hey, it's in the same vacinity. 17 miles of this stretch are covered every year by the famous Liffey Descent. After the craziness of it's upper reaches the Liffey becomes a flat, slow moving lowland river. The excitement is provided by many wiers along its course. Among the highlights are Straffan Wier, Lucan Wier, Wrens Nest, and the fantastic Sluice Wier (one of the best playspots in Ireland). There are many different put-ins and takeouts along the river. We often paddle from Leixlip down to the Strawhall pub (as good a takout as any!!!) - it takes in 4 wiers and doesn't have too much flatwater. The flatwater and wier layout means it's a good place to bring beginners.
One word of warning, the Lower Liffey often deserves it's reputation of the iffy, whiffy, sniffy Liffey. Particularly in low water periods the river can smell and there can be a risk of contracting Wiels Disease.
The Glenmalure is a crazy bit of water that flows straight down the Glenmalure valley. It's actually the very upper reaches of the Avonbeg river (here we go again!!!). It's normally a rocky little stream but when it rains hard it becomes a white blur!!! I suppose it's a grade 4: You'll rarely have a horizon in front of you, It's not much wider than two boat lengths and is chock full of boulders. You'll spend as much time backwards as forwards. Elbow turns are de'rigeur. You pretty much can't capsize as it's too shallow, just grab a passing rock and pull yourself up. Fun fun fun.
The forest track to the put-in actually fords the river so you might need a jeep or truck (hello Maurice!!!) to get across in flood conditions. The track then follows the river up so you can see it all the way. Scouting doesn't really work though as it's sooooo fast once you're one that you'll soon be lost in a wave of panicky paddle stokes. Simply keep going up the track until you've found a nice put in, just about anywhere will do. This is not a river for beginners but they can follow your heroics from the road and help pull you and your gear out.
Highly recommended!
The Aughrim is a fair bit further down from Dublin than the rest of the rivers mentioned but can be worth the effort if you want to give any beginners a challenge. It was my first introduction to whitewater and, as a beginner I thought I was on the Zambezie!!!
The put in at Aughrim village leads down to some Grade 2 and 3 rapids for about a mile which should produce a fine beginner soup. There are enough little holes and stuff for more experienced paddlers to show off in. There's one little 1-2 metre drop (rather euphemistically called "the Gorge") and after that the river peters out a little. Still though, if you're sure you're gonna get water when you arrive, 'tis a goodly place to bring your beginners.
Famous for it's battle, it's castle, and it's concerts and 45 minutes North of Dublin city and well North of County Wicklow lies the Boyne. Another flat lowland river with wiers, this is another pleasant trip for beginners. The wiers are probably a bit bigger than the Lower Liffey's and the surrounding countryside is loverly and scenic. The stretch I know the best is from Stackallan Wier to Slane. This goes past Slane Castle for those who are interested.
