Lough Derg Blueway - Mountshannon to Holy Island
Paddling Trail · Clare
Lough Derg Blueway - Mountshannon to Holy Island is a 5 km beginner waymarked out-and-back route in Clare, starting near Mountshannon.
Note from the trail operator
Difficulty: Suitable for guided beginners and intermediate paddlers.
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 | 2 hours |
Getting there
Starts at Mountshannon Harbour, near Mountshannon.
Finishes at Mountshannon Harbour.
- Trailhead coordinates
- 52.92952, -8.42948
- Irish Grid reference
- R 71171 86580
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
Turn right (south) and follow the lake bank, you leave Mountshannon Bay at Ryne point (1 km), and keeping inside the chain of small islands you cross the next bay to just before the small harbour. You will have to find the channel through the reeds, alongside a small tree lined island, to cross to Holy Island. There are a number of places to land a kayak on Holy Island including a small pier on the western side but you will need to bring wellies as it is mucky at the pier. As well as the historical buildings on the island, it is also a good place for a picnic and a short walk.
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 - Mountshannon and Cloonoolia Bays 0 m away · 6.6 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Castlelough to Killaloe 5.2 km away · 12 km trail
- Arra Mountains Loop 6.1 km away · 12.4 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Garrykennedy to Youghal Village and Little Tamona 6.3 km away · 4.5 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Williamstown (Dromaan) to Church Bay 6.8 km away · 7.6 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Williamstown Ilaunaboe Quay 6.8 km away · 8.75 km trail
Common questions
How long is the Lough Derg Blueway - Mountshannon to Holy Island?
5 km, recorded as a out-and-back route on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. Sport Ireland estimates 2 hours.
How hard is the Lough Derg Blueway - Mountshannon to Holy Island?
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 - Mountshannon to Holy Island start?
Starts at Mountshannon Harbour, near Mountshannon. The trailhead is at 52.92952, -8.42948 (Irish Grid R 71171 86580).
Who manages the Lough Derg Blueway - Mountshannon to Holy Island?
Waterways Ireland South Shannon Operations Division. They are the authority on current conditions and closures, not this page.
More in Clare
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.