Lough Derg Blueway - Fools Island Loop
Paddling Trail · Tipperary
Lough Derg Blueway - Fools Island Loop is a 2 km beginner waymarked loop in Tipperary, starting near Kilgarvan.
Note from the trail operator
Difficulty: A delightful loop around Fools Island (Foots Island), which begins in the reed channel, to your right (north), on leaving Kilgarvan quay. The island is largely tree lined and tends to be sheltered from the wind on its northern side. Keep your eyes peeled and stay quiet and you may just see one of the native wildcats coming down for a drink as you navigate through the reed banks.
As recorded in the register on 2026-08-13. Check with Waterways Ireland South Shannon Operations Division before travelling.
Grade
| Activity | Grade | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canoeing/Kayaking/Paddling | Beginner | Easy | 40 minutes |
Getting there
Starts at Kilgarvan Trailhead, near Kilgarvan.
- Trailhead coordinates
- 53.01813, -8.25839
- Irish Grid reference
- R 82710 96385
The National Trails Register's own latitude and longitude fields are empty for all 1,186 trails on it. This trailhead comes from Sport Ireland's separate Trailheads dataset, matched to this trail on its register ID.
About the trail
A delightful loop around Fools Island (Foots Island), which begins in the reed channel, to your right (north), on leaving Kilgarvan quay. The island is largely tree lined and tends to be sheltered from the wind on its northern side. Keep your eyes peeled and stay quiet and you may just see one of the native wildcats coming down for a drink as you navigate through the reed banks.
Who manages it
Waterways Ireland South Shannon Operations Division
Waterways Ireland South Shannon Operations Division
Conditions and closures change. The operator is the authority on both, not this page.
Elsewhere
Trails nearby
Measured trailhead to trailhead, in a straight line.
- Lough Derg Blueway - Kilgravan to Skehanagh 0 m away · 7.7 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Rossmore Pier to Illaunaboe Quay (Coos Bay) 3.5 km away · 6.3 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Terryglass to Kilgarvan 5.8 km away · 8.7 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Terryglass to Slevoir Bay Loop 5.8 km away · 8.5 km trail
- Portumna Forest Park - Bonaveen Cycling Trail 7.3 km away · 10.3 km trail
- Portumna Forest Park - Bonaveen Walking Trail 7.3 km away · 10.3 km trail
Common questions
How long is the Lough Derg Blueway - Fools Island Loop?
2 km, recorded as a loop on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. Sport Ireland estimates 40 minutes.
How hard is the Lough Derg Blueway - Fools Island Loop?
Sport Ireland grades it Beginner, with an overall difficulty of Easy. Grades are set against national criteria, so they are comparable with other registered trails.
Where does the Lough Derg Blueway - Fools Island Loop start?
Starts at Kilgarvan Trailhead, near Kilgarvan. The trailhead is at 53.01813, -8.25839 (Irish Grid R 82710 96385).
Who manages the Lough Derg Blueway - Fools Island Loop?
Waterways Ireland South Shannon Operations Division. They are the authority on current conditions and closures, not this page.
More in Tipperary
Trail data from the Sport Ireland National Trails Register, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Trailhead coordinates from the companion Trailheads dataset. Snapshot taken 2026-08-13.