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canoe

escapethe perfect way to

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northern ireland go with the flow... accessible Fly from Great Britain to Northern Ireland in less than one hour. Drive from in less than two hours. unique Paddle Europe’s only official canoe trails. variety Choose from meandering rivers, peaceful loughs and a remarkable sea lough. tranquility Find unspoilt countryside dotted with charming towns and villages.

FRONT COVER: CRICHTON TOWER, GAD ISLAND, UPPER LOUGH ERNE, COUNTY FERMANAGH BACK COVER: LOWER BANN, SALT ISLAND, STRANGFORD LOUGH, COUNTY DOWN. COUNTY LOUGH, STRANGFORD ISLAND, SALT

01 | canoeni.com canoeni.com | 02 406 CAAN CanoeNI St3:Layout 1 1/7/08 17:37 Page 4 contents northern ireland 05 The Great Escape Get a sense of the fascinating canoe trails that lie ahead.

your perfect canoeing experience... 07 Lower Bann ...serenity of the Lower Bann.

learn from the best... 09 Lough Erne Interested in taking up canoeing but don’t know where to start? Why not contact ...enchanting beauty of Lough Erne. one of the many canoeing providers for lessons before you head off. 11 follow the leader...... fantastic views of Lough Neagh. Combine local knowledge with safety. Canoeing providers can provide a guiding service to ensure you get the most out of your trip. 13 Blackwater ...gentle waters of the River Blackwater.

just add water... ERNE, FERMANAGH. COUNTY UPPER LOUGH 15 Strangford Don’t want the hassle of organising the trip? Contact a canoeing provider to ...stunning setting of Strangford Lough. arrange an itinerary, provide equipment and shuttles. All you have to do is turn up. 17 Practical Information go it alone... Safety and Accomodation. Got the knowledge and the gear? All the information needed to plan a trip is available in our waterproof guides and comprehensive website. 18 Canoeing Providers Directory Comprehensive list of Canoeing Providers.

19 Planning your trip in Northern Ireland Whether you visit by land, sea or air find all the information you will need!

Countryside Access Activities Network (CAAN) is grateful to the following for providing photographs for this publication: Lucinda Manouch www.manouchphotography Catherine Leinster www.thinkstudio.co.uk Boyd McClurg www.boydmcclurg.co.uk

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Strangford Lough: Blackwater: Lough Erne: the great escape... 1 Islands and Inlets 2 Calming Countryside 3 Lakeland Paradise Canoe trails provide the perfect way to escape the rush and explore Northern Ireland’s countryside

PORTRUSH One of the UK’s most scenic areas, Welcome to 20 kilometres of the most Ask any paddler in Northern Ireland about COLERAINECOLERAINE Strangford Lough, is a sea kayaker’s dream relaxing paddling you are ever going to Lough Erne and they will reply using words come true. From its many picturesque experience. Choose from one of many like “spectacular, brilliant and fantastic.” islands to its abundance of wildlife, access points, launch onto the gently This is because they are familiar with the including curious seals, it is somewhere you flowing water and cruise between the magical maze of islands, abundant wildlife simply have to paddle. scenic Counties of Tyrone and Armagh. and superb shoreline attractions that make this 50 kilometre trail an award-winner. As Mike McClure explains on page 15, the By the time the magical Coney Island comes fact that its shoreline boasts some of into view on Lough Neagh, you should be Check out page 9 where Robert Livingstone Northern Ireland’s best-loved villages, is just wondering why you left it so long to give explains what this amazing part of the ANTRIMANTRIM another of the many features that makes this trail a go. Find out more on page 13. world has to offer. the Strangford Lough canoe trail “perfect”.

OOMAGHMAGH

DUNGANNONDUNGANNON Lough Neagh: Lower Bann: tell me more 4 Wide and Wonderful 5 Nature and Legends Armagh and Down Tourism DOWNPATRICKDOWNPATRICK www.armaghanddown.com

Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau NEWCASTLE www.gotobelfast.com

Legend has it that Finn McCool created Home to nature reserves and flowing Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism Lough Neagh when he needed a fistful of through an area steeped in history, the www.causewaycoastandglens.com earth to throw at a fleeing Scottish rival. If Lower Bann is a superb trail in a beautiful true, you have the mythical warrior to thank part of Northern Ireland. Visitor and Convention Bureau Each canoe trail will allow you to explore a different part of Northern Ireland’s interesting for a trail that makes it possible to canoe www.derryvisitor.com from the south of Northern Ireland to the It is worth travelling slowly along its 58 countryside. Our short description of each canoe trail will give you an idea of what lies ahead. Atlantic Ocean by linking the Blackwater kilometres, taking in the peace and quiet Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism and Lower Bann. and exploring what it has to offer. www.fermanaghlakelands.com So what are you waiting for? Phil McKee who describes the trail, Go to page 11 for details and read why recommends that you put more than a few Tourism Alastair Scott-McKinley loves exploring the days aside for this one. www.sperrinstourism.com The Escape begins! lough’s western shore. What is a Canoe Trail?

A canoe trail is an interesting or challenging stretch of water which offers public access for canoeists to paddle. It is indicated on a map showing its associated facilities such as jetties, slipways, car parks and toilets. At designated access points, information panels provide additional details of its features and that of the surrounding area. Canoe trails may be paddled as a whole section or in sections.

Planning your trip could not be easier as each canoe trail has it own official waterproof guide, designed by canoeists and available from all Tourist Information Centres. It includes a range of useful information such as map, campsites, visitor attractions, toilets etc. NEWFERRY, LOWER BANN, COUNTY ANTRIM. BANN, COUNTY LOWER NEWFERRY,

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lower bann

County: Londonderry and Antrim Distance: 58km “Everything about it makes for a Type/Grade of Water: River, Lough and Estuary/Flat to Grade 3 great trip and you can have a blast Maps: OSNI Sheet 4 , OSNI Sheet 8 Ballymoney, OSNI Sheet 14 Lough Neagh both on and off the water” Points of Interest: Nature Reserve, Portglenone, Coleraine and Estuary Nature Reserve.

There are two key reasons paddle you will pass through renowned At Portglenone, you will come across nature reserves. As McKee puts it, “it’s Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey, a Cisterian why Philip McKee, an avid possible to finish the trail in two days, but monastery founded in 1948 with its modern paddler who lives near the you will need longer to take it all in, which coffee shop. To get an idea of the beautiful Lower Bann, loves getting is why there are are a number of overnight surroundings, just consider that Murtough facilities to avail of including an excellent MacNeill, an Irish prince, said of Agivey, that out on the water in this campsite at Drumaheglis.” it was “not more beautiful to be in beautiful part of Northern paradise”. Wildlife enthusiasts will want to For experienced paddlers there is the go slowly through parts such as Lough Beg Ireland. “The first is its added thrill of fast flowing water and and the area near Coleraine marina. peace and quiet and the rapids downstream of each of the sluice Species to look out for throughout the length second is that while enjoying gates and weirs of which there are five in of the Lower Bann include otter, kingfisher, total. For the beginner, there is the comfort whooper swan and wading birds, while these you are never far of very straightforward navigation common seals can be seen in the estuary from a good pub.” channels that allow you to gently bypass downstream of the Cutts at Coleraine. these more challenging sections. Elaine Alexander is a fanatical paddler from Starting in Toome, at the edge of Lough Those interested in history will be Monaghan and just can’t speak highly Neagh, this broad river runs for 58 enthralled from the very beginning. Toome enough of the Lower Bann. “I love kilometres along the borders of Antrim and is believed to be the site of one of the first paddling on this trail,” she says. Londonderry to just beyond Coleraine human settlements on the island of “Everything about it makes for a great trip where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Ireland, Movanagher, a series of forts and and you can have a blast both on and off On its banks you will find extremely raths, dates back to 500 AD. the water”. important historical sites and as you LOWER BANN, COUNTY ANTRIM. BANN, COUNTY LOWER TOOME CANAL, LOWER BANN, COUNTY ANTRIM. BANN, COUNTY CANAL, LOWER TOOME LOUGH BEG, LOWER BANN, COUNTY ANTRIM. BANN, COUNTY LOWER BEG, LOUGH

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lough erne lough erne

“The area is so lush and green ERNE, FERMANAGH. COUNTY LOUGH LOWER and the water is easy to paddle”

Drop in on Enniskillen, an island town, or come ashore at Devenish Island and check out its 12th century round tower.

Dolores McWeeney, a canoe club member, paddled Lough Erne with 8 others recently, and now loves it. Her trip started in Carrybridge, took in a night paddle to nearby Inish Rath where there is a Hare Krishna visitor’s centre and an overnight stay on Trannish Island before finishing back at Smith’s Strand. “The area is so lush and green and the water is easy to paddle,” she says.

Robert Livingstone, a canoeist for over 40 years, thinks there is no better canoe trail Split into two sections the lakes of Upper and than Lough Erne and he should know. He lives on the water’s shore near Lisnaskea in Lower Lough Erne are linked by the river of Fermanagh . “Every day on the Lough is different, but always beautiful,” he says. the same name and boast 365 islands in total. The Lower Lough is expansive and more “I love pushing out first thing in the morning facilities. Just peek at a map of the 50 suitable to experienced paddlers. Whilst the County: Fermanagh when there is mist over the water or at night kilometre trail and spot the number of bars, Upper Lough is calmer with plenty of sheltered Distance: 50km when the sky is clear. As you paddle, you restaurants, camp sites, visitor attractions, channels. The wildlife too is spectacular and Type/Grade of Water: Lough/Flat move so quietly, you feel part of the stillness.” towns and villages. These are all within easy includes otter, pine martin, peregrine falcon, Maps: OSNI Sheet 27 Upper Lough Erne, reach of a waterway where you are unlikely deer and whooper swan. As Robert says OSNI Sheet 17 Lower Lough Erne and It’s not just Robert who speaks highly of the to bump into too many people in your kayak “you just won’t find better”. “The thing about Lough Erne Activity Map UK’s first ever canoe trail. An award-winner, or canoe. Spend anything from a few days or Lough Erne is that it’s so relaxing. People who Points of Interest: Crom Estate, Lough Erne has gained acclaim all over the longer and you will have a chilled, but also try it, find the experience is something that Enniskillen and Devenish island. world for its wonderful nature, historical entertaining and interesting break. Visit Crom stays with them. The minute they get home, CROM ESTATE, UPPER LOUGH ERNE, FERMANAGH. COUNTY UPPER LOUGH ESTATE, CROM sites, fantastic islands and superb access and Estate, a 2000 acre nature conservation site. they start planning their next trip.”

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lough neagh relax and take it all in... LOUGH NEAGH, COUNTY ARMAGH. COUNTY NEAGH, LOUGH

County: Armagh, Tyrone, Londonderry, Antrim and Down With a 150 kilometre shoreline, Distance: 150km Lough Neagh is such a big expanse Type/Grade of Water: Lough/Flat Maps: OSNI Sheet 14 Lough Neagh, of water that it borders 5 counties, OSNI Sheet 19 Armagh, OSNI Sheet 20 Craigavon, Admiralty Chart 2163 links two canoe trails and even Points of Interest: Coney Island, range of nature reserves and Rams Island boasts one of its own.

This is most easily achieved by scouting the unique historic sites you can visit,” he says. picturesque west shore from Maghery to Among the latter he counts Rams Island, a Toome at the north end, but more daring one-time monastic settlement with a round types may attempt the longer way around tower and Oxford Island, where the Lough the south and east where many of the Neagh Discovery Centre is based. area’s excellent campsites can be found. Alastair Scott-McKinley and his wife Alison, If neither of these options floats your boat, are Bed and Breakfast owners in , the trail’s many access points are perfect one of the friendly villages on the Lough’s for those who want to simply spend some west shore. They are also keen paddlers time exploring this beautiful conservation who love exploring in their double kayak. area to find out what it has to offer. There “We might drive to Traad Point and launch is just one proviso according to John from there. There is a little river called the Hubbucks, local canoe guide. That is Moyola where you always see herons or weather on the Lough may change quickly kingfishers. Other times we might go to and wind conditions can lead to rough Toome and connect to the Lower Bann Trail. water at times, but John, an experienced You can visit Church Island on Lough Beg canoeist, says this shouldn’t put would-be which is a great spot,” Alastair says. For him, As a connecting paddle between the paddlers off. “Certainly, people need to be the area’s magnificent wildlife, which

River Blackwater and the Lower Bann, it careful. That is a given. But in the right includes coots, hares and migratory birds ARMAGH. COUNTY NEAGH, LOUGH ISLAND, CONEY allows adventurous canoeists to travel conditions and with a guide or instructor, make it a special place. He says the best from the southern part of Northern Ireland there are loads to do and see. The shoreline way to experience this is from the water all the way to the Atlantic Ocean on the is beautiful and the view is amazing. where all you have to do is “relax and take north coast. There are also lots of cool places and it all in”.

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blackwater blackwater RIVER BLACKWATER, COUNTY ARMAGH. COUNTY RIVER BLACKWATER,

“...it gets prettier the further on you go”

The Blackwater is the canoe trail for people who like to “The river is very tranquil and when you easy to navigate and the paddling relaxing. The two didn’t camp out on their visit, but are in a Canadian canoe there is plenty of “It’s really interesting to stop every now for Matt Peach, an overnight stay on take life easy. From the moment you push out onto this room for a picnic,” Fiona says. The couple and again, read the interpretation signs and Coney Island is a must. “I’ve brought my gently flowing, flat river you start to lose yourself in its had an instructor with them, but after learn about the history of the area,” kids to the island and they love it. It’s the peaceful, countryside surroundings. mastering the basics, they found the trail Fiona adds. perfect end to a brilliant trip,” he says.

really mellow. For a family or a couple it County: Armagh and Tyrone makes the perfect weekend, ” he says. Distance: 20km The most magical aspect of the Blackwater Type/Grade of Water: River/Flat is that although you are never far from the Maps: OSNI Sheet 19 Armagh villages or the various access points that dot its banks, it’s so quiet in parts that you Points of Interest: Benburb, The Argory and Coney Island. feel as though you are in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps this is why the river and its surrounding environment is a haven for Running 20 kilometres in length, it wildlife including kingfishers, otters, herons, meanders through the beautiful borders dippers and, if you are lucky, a barn owl. of counties Armagh and Tyrone before opening out onto the breathtaking Lough For beginners, the trail is great because it’s Neagh at Maghery, where the magical suited to short trips. For experienced Coney Island awaits, just 1 kilometre or a paddlers, it can serve as a gateway to short paddle, from shore. Lough Neagh, which has its own more challenging trail, and a link to the Lower Matt Peach, a devoted canoeist, is a big Bann. Fiona Russell and husband, Bik fan. “The thing I love about the Blackwater Adam, from , spent half a day ARMAGH. COUNTY RIVER BLACKWATER,

RIVER BLACKWATER, COUNTY ARMAGH. COUNTY RIVER BLACKWATER, is that it gets prettier the further along you exploring the area from an access point at go. You can complete the trail in a day, but the quaint village of Moy. I prefer to take two days and just keep it

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strangford lough

County: Down Area Covered: 80 nautical miles (140km) Type/Grade of Water: Sea Lough/Tidal Maps: OSNI Sheet 21 Strangford Lough, OSNI Strangford Lough Activity Map, Admiralty Chart 2156 Points of Interest: Salt Island, Delamont Country Park, Castle Ward, Strangford and Portaferry

To paddle on the clear, shallow waters of Strangford Lough is an unforgettable experience. County Down’s almost-landlocked sea inlet is a unique and enchanting place.

An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and idea of why the trail is so perfect,” he website of top beauty spots,” she says. one of the UK’s three marine nature adds. Covering 80 square nautical miles Lucinda stayed overnight on Salt Island at reserves, it’s best explored from the water (140 kilometres), the Lough is approached the bothy, a camping barn with excellent and what more intimate way to do this from the Irish Sea through a long, facilities, that has to be visited on any trip. than from a canoe or sea kayak? “The trail fast-running tidal section known as “You could see seals out in the water and has absolutely everything you need to ‘The Narrows’. Here the conditions are look across to other islands. It was make a trip unforgettable,” says Mike exciting, but can be very tricky, so stunning,” she adds. Of the 2,000 marine McClure, an enthusiastic paddler. inexperienced paddlers need to be animals and plants species in the Lough “The surroundings and islands, about 70 in accompanied by a qualified instructor and surrounding area, the common and total, are beautiful, the area is steeped in familiar with the water conditions. grey seals are the most engaging. They will history and home to an amazing variety of Below this area the Lough widens and the shadow small boats, keeping an eye on wildlife.” Mike’s other reasons for loving islands, Mike mentions, are divided by you from close by. Other wildlife to spot the trail are the interesting towns and numerous channels which you can explore. includes porpoises, Brent geese and even villages you can visit and their excellent basking sharks. Those interested in pubs and restaurants, and the wonderful Lucinda Manouch from Canoe & Kayak heritage will want to check out the places to camp. “When you add all of this magazine, checked out the trail recently. monasteries, abbeys, tower and estate to the fact that you can find both “Strangford Lough is a fantastic place to houses along the trail, but for Lucinda, easy-going, sheltered paddling or more kayak. I wanted to go ever since I saw an watching the sun set after a day exploring challenging sections, you start to get an aerial photograph of the islands on a was the “best part of her trip”.

“you could see seals out in the water and look across to other islands. It was stunning.” AUDLEY’S CASTLE, STRANGFORD LOUGH, COUNTY DOWN. COUNTY LOUGH, CASTLE, STRANGFORD AUDLEY’S 15 | canoeni.com canoeni.com | 16 406 CAANCanoeNISt3:Layout11/7/0817:39Page18 section will providesection will thepractical all information you require to get themost outof your trip. Preparation isthekey to any outdoor activity. Now you are soldontheidea of thecanoetrails inNorthernIreland thefollow practical information 17 |canoeni.com www.canoeni.com You donot needto beastrong • Wear adequate clothing andbuoyancy • These usefulThese provide publications will you withtheinformation you need: A widerange of accommodation isavailable to budgets. suitall accommodation Budget Accommodation Self-Catering Holiday Homes B&B Guide Hotel &Guesthouse Useful publications BALLYRONAN MARINA, LOUGH NEAGH, COUNTY TYRONE. A selectionof canoeingproviders andwhat they offer isavailable onthenext page. have a minimum BCUThree Star Award (or equivalent) for thecraft you wishto use. phoneahead Please to avoid disappointment. economical way to arrange your For insurance canoeingbreak. reasons somecompanies may you onlyallow to hire boats ifyou thecanoeingproviderAsk for packagesthat includeaccommodation orcampingequipment hire asitisoften theeasiest andmost Beginners canavail of lessons bookshuttlesandmake orguidedtrips.Expertscanhire bespoke equipment, arrangements. canoeing providers consider thefollowing safety advice: an organised cluborcontact acanoeingprovider where expert coaching canbeprovided. Whentakingpartincanoeing Canoeing isanadventure sportandassuchshouldbetreated withrespect. Ifyou are to new itisadvisable joi to thesport, safety and get ashore safely confidence to deal withacapsized boat swimmer needthewater butyou will in theform of buoyancy aidorlife jacket has alist of accommodation available near to each designated access point www.discovernorthernireland.com Or download onlinefrom [email protected]: T: +44(0)2890246609 &NorthernIreland Welcome Centre To order any of thesepublications, contact Consider attending arecognised training • Leave details of your journey witha • isnot It recommended to canoealone– • environmental issues course whichexplores safety skills, and responsible adult most rescues three boats istheminimumrequired for Guide andon areThese outlinedineach CanoeTrail individual safety considerations. haveEach canoetrail will itsown Remember –acanoemay bedifficultto • see from alarger craft socarryawhistle www.canoeni.com ing n completeness of theinformation suppliedortheservice and care afforded by any of thecanoeingproviders listed inthispubli and ActivitiesNetwork andtheother fundersneitherhave, norassume any responsibility orliabilityfor accuracy or participant to ensure that theprovider iscredible appropriate andthat all safety standards are adhered to. Countryside The While activityproviders operate generally according to what isaccepted ascurrent best practice, itisthe responsibility of directory canoeing providers * onanCnr oDw T30Twww.tollymore.com +44(0)2843722158 +44(0)7734365321 www.sharevillage.org +44(0)2843770714 15Glenara Woods, Coleraine, Bryansford, Newcastle, +44(0)2867722122 www.mobileteamadventure.co.uk Co Down BT33 0PT www.activityireland.com Co Fermanagh, BT92 0EQ Xplore Outdoors +44(0)2897531343 Mountain Centre Castle Island, Enniskillen Tollymore Smith'sStrand, Lisnaskea, +44(0)2891800809 www.eastcoastadventure.com +44(0)2841739923 CanoeCentre The +44(0)2838342669 Co Down BT23 4HA Village www.craigavonactivity.com 40Woodvale, Dromara, Share Holiday 29Ashgrove, Newtownards, Rostrevor, Co Down BT34 3LN Lower Knockbarragh Road, Outdoor Concepts www.clearsky-adventure.com Adventure 1Lake Road, Craigavon, Mobile Team +44(0)2866386123 +44(0)28 43770714 Adventure Co ArmaghBT64 1AS Strangford, Co Down BT30 7LT East Coast +44(0)2821771340 Watersports Centre www.ardclinis.com Belcoo, Co Fermanagh BT93 5DZ Craigavon www.thehighpointgroup.com +44(0)2843723933 Centre Ltd Castlewellan Forest Park, Corralea Activity Old Farmyard, Castleward Demesne, +44(0)7971087480 Castlewellan, Co Down BT31 9DQ Centre 11HighStreet, Cushendall, Clearsky Adventure Adventure Centre Co Antrim BT44 0NB Bluelough Outdoor Adventure 187Lower Braniel Road, Ardclinis Activities Ireland cinOtor 3 ahrln od +44(0)7789754565 53AMagheralone Road, Action Outdoors Name

LOUGH BEG, LOWER BANN, COUNTY ANTRIM. Strangford Lough Only. Lough SectionOnly MacNean or email For upto date information onCANI/BCUapproved providers checkout guidelines laiddown by theBritishCanoeUnion/CANI andisusingsuitablyqualified staff. Canoe Association of NorthernIreland (CANI) recommends that you ensure your provider isworking withinthe oLnodry T13Rwww.xploreoutdoors.co.uk www.thehighpointgroup.com Co Londonderry BT51 3TR www.outdoorconcepts.co.uk Co Fermangh BT74 5GH Co Down, BT25 2JA www.activitiesireland.co.uk CoBelfast, Down BT5 7NP CoBallynahinch, Down BT24 8SW Location ❑ [email protected] www.actionoutdoors.info Contact

❑ Lough Erne Areas Covered Areas Blackwater

Lower Bann

Lough Neagh www.cani.org.uk

Strangford Lough

Canoe Hire

Kayak Hire Services Provided Camping Equipment Hire canoeni.com |18 Instruction

* Guided Tours

the Drop off/

Access Access Collection Service

cation. Provision for Disabled BCU/CANI Approved Centre 406 CAAN CanoeNI St3:Layout 1 1/7/08 17:39 Page 20

getting to northern ireland Northern Ireland is easy to get to, easy to get Zoom City of Derry Airport around. Excellent fast ferry links from England and www.zoomairlines.com T: 0870 240 0055 T: +44 (0) 28 7181 0784 Scotland to Belfast and Larne, three airports with .com frequent, low-cost flights from the UK and beyond, www.cityofderryairport.com www.manx2.com T: 0870 242 2226 Bus 143 or the 234 into the city centre, and plus good roads, buses and trains to take you Coleraine: fare £4.70 return. Taxi fare to city is about Aer Lingus where you want to go. £10. Trains run from Derry to Coleraine and Belfast. www.aerlingus.com You can fly directly from: Belfast International Airport George Best Belfast City Airport Dublin / Glasgow International / / T: +44 (0) 28 9448 4848 Stansted / Nottingham East Midlands. www.belfastairport.com T: +44 (0) 28 9093 9093 Bus 300 now operates a 24 hour service between www.belfastcityairport.com Ryanair the airport and Belfast with buses departing every Bus 600 into city centre, runs on the hour and then www.ryanair.ie T: 08712 460 000 10 minutes throughout the day. The bus leaves from the bus stop located opposite the terminal exit. every 20 mins. Taxi fare to city is about £7. Trains Bus service phone Translink run from Sydenham to Belfast and other parts of www.britishairways.com T: 0870 850 9850 T: +44 (0) 28 9066 6630. Northern Ireland. Taxi fare to city is approximately £22 Belfast Harbour You can fly directly from: T: +44 (0) 28 9055 4422 You can fly directly from: Aberdeen/ Birmingham/ Blackpool/ Cardiff/ Cork/ www.belfast-harbour.co.uk Alicante / Amsterdam / Barcelona / Berlin / Taxi fare is about £5 to city centre. Birmingham / Blackpool / / Budapest / Doncaster/ Dundee/ East Midlands/ Edinburgh/ Cardiff / Chambery / Edinburgh / Faro / Gdansk / Exeter/ / Glasgow/ Inverness/ Isle of Stenaline Geneva / Glasgow / Halifax / Ibiza / / Man/ Jersey/ Leeds-Bradford/ Liverpool/ London www.stenaline.com T: +44 (0) 28 9074 7747 Katowice / Krakow / Inverness / Las Palmas / Gatwick/ London Heathrow/ London Stansted/ Seacat Leeds-Bradford / Liverpool / London Gatwick / London City/ / Newcastle/ Newquay/ www.steam-packet.com London Heathrow / London Luton / London T: 0870 552 3523 Stansted / Malaga / Manchester / Murcia / Rennes/ . Newcastle / New York / Nice / Nottingham East Charters flights to Verona / Chambery / Geneva / Norfolkline Irish Sea Ferries www.norsemerchant.com Midlands / Palma / Paris CDG / Pisa / Prague / Salzberg Sanford Orlando / Rome / Southampton / Tenerife / T: +44 (0) 28 9077 9090 Toulouse / Toronto / Vancouver / Venice/ Warsaw. Aer Arann Larne Harbour www.aerarann.com T: 0800 587 2324 Bmibaby T: +44 (0) 28 2887 2100 www.bmibaby.com T: 08712 240 224 bmi www.portoflarne.co.uk Easyjet www.flybmi.com T: 0870 607 0555 Trains to Belfast: fare £4.90 single. Main bus www.easyjet.com T: 0871 244 2366 fly be station is a short walk from the harbour. Bus single Flyglobespan www.flybe.com T: 0871 522 6100 £4.00. Taxi is about £30 to Belfast centre. Car rental available. www.flyglobespan.com T: 08705 561522 Euromanx Jet2.com www.euromanx.com T: 0870 787 7879 P&O www.jet2.com T: 0871 226 1737 www.poirishsea.com T: 0870 242 4777 manx2 Teleticket Stenaline www.manx2.com T: 0871 200 0440 www.flightsfrombelfast.com www.stenaline.com T: 0870 520 4204 Wizz Air Cityjet for Air France You can get the Ferry to Northern Ireland from: www.airfrance.com T: 0870 142 4343 www.wizzair.com T: +48 22 351 9499 Cairnryan / Birkenhead (Liverpool) / Fleetwood / Continental Ryanair Douglas (Isle of Man) / Stranraer / Troon www.continental.com/uk T: 08456 076 760 www.ryanair.com

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is your definitive guide to canoeing in Northern Ireland. providing up to date information on all you need to know about canoeing in Northern Ireland. Whether you are looking for a mad day catching the surf or a gentle day out on the river, it’s all there.

Waterways Ireland is the navigation authority for the waterways covered by two of the canoe trails - Lough Erne and the Lower Bann. Promoting recreation on the inland navigable waterways is a core element of Waterways Ireland’s remit. The development and promotion of the canoe trails are key to getting more users onto the waterways and canoeing is an ideal low impact, high fulfilment activity for all age-groups. We look forward to welcoming more canoeists to the beauty of Lough Erne and the Lower Bann and to the other waterways we manage, the Shannon, the Shannon Erne Waterway, the Grand Canal, the Royal Canal and the Barrow Navigation.

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Environment Agency is proud to have helped to grant aid CAAN’s Environment work on a number of recent canoe trails. There is also an appreciation of the www.ni-environment.gov.uk Agency substantial input by the members of CANI in helping to facilitate and promote the development of canoeing here. NIEA is committed to the improvement of water quality and also aims to encourage the continued development and publicity of sustainable countryside recreation opportunities. We are particularly impressed that Northern Ireland now leads the way in the UK with regard to canoe trail provision and have no doubt that local people and visitors to this country will be amazed by the new opportunities to explore and learn about our country’s coastline and inland waterways.

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, as part of its remit for promoting and developing the recreational potential of Inland Waterways, is delighted to be associated with this brochure in a part-funding capacity. This is one of several canoe-related projects, including canoe trails, partnership-funded under our water recreation programme. Thanks to CAAN's initiative and commitment Northern Ireland now has a prestigious product worthy of this brochure and we look forward to canoeists (local and tourists) enjoying all that it has to offer.

RDC is an independent organisation working to ensure the collective needs and opportunities of rural areas can be realised. RDC works to promote positive and sustainable change helping to develop and regenerate rural areas for the better. Our Mission is to advance rural development; Our Vision is a living, working, sustainable and shared countryside; Our Core work is Providing objective, evidence based analysis; Delivering practical actions & solutions; Sharing best practice. RDC is agent of the International Fund for Ireland.

The International Fund for Ireland is an international organisation established by the Irish and British Governments in 1986 with the objectives of promoting economic and social advance and of encouraging contact, dialogue and reconciliation between unionists and nationalists throughout Ireland. Contributors to the Fund are the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Since its inception, the Fund has committed more than £576m/EUR 849m to a wide variety of projects in Northern Ireland and the Southern border counties. The Fund’s budget for 2008 is £33 million/ EUR 48 million.

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For more information contact: Belfast Welcome Centre Tourist Information for Belfast & Northern Ireland, 47 Donegall Place, Belfast BT1 5AD Tel: +44 (0) 28 9024 6609 Textphone: +44 (0) 28 9024 6407 Email: [email protected] Tourist Information Centre 16 Nassau Street, Dublin 2 Northern Ireland Ireland Northern Environment Agency Tel: +353 (0) 1 679 1977 Call Save: 1850 230 230 (ROI Only) Email: [email protected]

ni-environment.gov.uk This guide is available on request in Braille, audio, large print, computer Disk and PDF www. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in the compilation of this brochure. CAAN cannot accept responsibility for omissions or errors but if these are brought to our attention, amendments will be published in future brochures. Comments, feedback and recommendations for inclusion in future brochures should be addressed to: [email protected] ISBN: 978-1-86193-996-8 PG08ENG301CAAN © Countryside Access and Activities Network, The Stableyard, Barnett’s Demesne, Belfast BT9 5PB Tel: +44 (0) 28 9030 3930 Fax: +44 (0) 28 9062 6248 Email: [email protected] This publication has been jointly funded by Countryside Access and Activities Network, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Inland Waterways Division), EU Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme (through the Northern Ireland Rural Development Council RDC), The International Fund for Ireland, Waterways Ireland and Northern Ireland Environment Agency. Thanks to all those who contributed to the publication especially Northern Ireland Tourist Board for their assistance with distribution. The Canoe Association of Northern Ireland, Tollymore Mountain Centre, Share Holiday Village, Killyleagh Outdoor Education Centre, Mobile Team Adventure and Sport NI for their time and support. Design by www.thinkstudio.co.uk Words by Richard Oakley . canoeni.com