On March 30th, after a restful night spent in Tramore, on the coast near Waterford, we headed north to the River Nore. Rather like the Suir, the upper reaches were shallow with many small weirs, and we settled on Bennettsbridge to start, not Kilkenny. Thomastown, on the way up the valley, had provided a good parking spot, and a pretty little village, although we were going to paddle through to Inistioge, with a handy teashop situated at the egress. The weather was proving kind, good sunshine, and becoming warmer (Scotland was currently under snow back home!).
I hadn’t really said before, but the only guide of any sort we had found to use was the very old ‘BCU Guide to the Waterways of the British Isles’,and the post-war version of 1960s kept refering to information from Ireland in the 1930s! It is quite remarkable that in fact most of the info was correct, and then in some places, as on the Nore, some former weirs, bridges etc. had just disappeared.
We started off in good spirits - warm sunshine, easy to get to the river, an immediate line-down the large weir, whose tail wave would have swamped us. Again, high water and a good current.
The river was kind to us, interesting small rapids, confusing information on obstacles (maybe some were covered), and at a rest at a broken weir (as in photo) two white water racing kayaks bizarrely shot past withuot a word and disappeared. A bit strange that they didn’t say anything, or wave, as we were the only paddlers out!
An unusual apparant broken weir, with two centre concrete bits holding trees, but easy both sides, and then a sharp bend to the left, a small old weir, anglers, and Thomastown appeared. The weir was quite off-putting, fast, with a definite route down the right side, and the need to avoid soem large waves. We managed it fine, shot through the bridge, and then started down the attractive wooded valley to Inistioge.
The valley lived up to expectations, really attractive, and we had a tea break halfway down, with the canoe bobbing about in the fast curent on its tether.
Tea and cakes were consumed after we had done the shuttle. Then, back to Tramore, for another super meal. The surfers were again just returning from the amazing beach at sunset.
Tomorrow, Tony would have a business meeting in Waterford and then return to Dublin, and I would set out to explore the Cork Blackwater in preparation for our summer holidays. The day after, I would work my way back up to Maynooth, and then spend the Wednesday moving ono ut to the Midlands.
So, prospect, photograph, record, and work out when to paddle the water, and where from to where.
( At this same time, back home a detailed canoe trail guide of the Great Glen was appearing on the SCA website - my colleague Mike Dunthorme and I had made it! - we had planned on writing it during January and February, and March for a map to be completed, and the PDF placed on the site.
To view it, go to www.canoescotland.com, then go to ‘Access and environment’, and scroll down)
I am one father of a group of three that are looking at canoeing from Bennettsbridge down stream to Thomastown stay the night, next morning canoe form Thomastown to Inistioge.
We will have two sit on canoes per family (6 canoes) we have been canoeing together for three years. That is to say we have some experience but are strictly fair weather people. Each canoe will have a one adult and one child to two children on board. It is very much a family experience we are looking for.
My question if you can help? Is your experience and number of weirs etc on the section of river we intend travelling?
My reading so far tells me the river is mostly Flat River with few weirs etc.
Any comments or information will be most appreciated.
Noel Dillon
Noel,
In answer to your question. The River Nore is a lovely river. You can start north of Kilkenny at a place called Bleach Green. There is a simple weir there, and after a short paddle you get to a small weir called Bishops Bridge, again very easy. You then pass through Kilkenny and below the castle are two weirs in quick succession. The Kilkebby Castle Weir and below it the Lacken Weir. The former is easy and the latter needs more care. Both a very recent constrcutions as is Bishops Bridge above. The section of about seven miles from Kilkenny to Bennettsbridge is a lovely stroll along the river dotted with one or two moderate weirs at Maddockstown and Sion, with a few very small old broken weirs and little rapids. Very easy and pleasing. Bennettsbridge Weir is a huge V Weir. It is challenging in medium to high water but shottable, enjoyable and easy for novices even in very low water. you know water levels are up when most of the left and right have a good flow over them. From here the section is quite flat with a small weir at Annanult and one nice little weir beyond Mount Juliet. Beyond this the next weir of note was at Thomastown. This was a lovely and complex V Weir but was washed in early April this year before the article above. It is now basically a strong flow of water from left to right through the breach. Below this the river to Inistioge is nice easy rather flat affair. Distance Bleach Green to Bennetsbridge is around 8-9 miles. Bennetsbridge to Thomastown around 6-7 miles and then the same from Thomastown to Inistioge. Do not do the river in medium water in sit-ons.. you will get in trouble..Pick a nice sunny day with low water levels and you will have a nice time. Also pick any section above to do at one stint. The section from Kilkenny to Bennettsbridge is really quite nice and easy below the Lacken Weir. (you can get in at this point by the way). Just remember safety first even in low water
Basil