Lough Derg Blueway - Rossmore Pier to Illaunaboe Quay (Coos Bay)
Paddling Trail · Galway
Lough Derg Blueway - Rossmore Pier to Illaunaboe Quay (Coos Bay) is a 6.3 km intermediate waymarked linear route in Galway, starting near Portumna.
Note from the trail operator
Difficulty: Suitable for intermediate groups with good levels of fitness and capable of self rescue.
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 | Intermediate | Moderate | 2 hours 10 minutes |
Getting there
Starts at Rossmore Pier, near Portumna.
Finishes at Illaunboe Quay.
- Trailhead coordinates
- 53.01734, -8.31115
- Irish Grid reference
- R 79170 96311
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
Keeping the lake bank on your right-hand side, you travel south across the small inlet and then to the headland (600 meters). You pass another headland and then an island (3 km), where you turn west into Coos bay. You can pass through a reed bank channel on the inside of this island but it can be difficult to find. The bank from here on can be difficult to land on due to the reeds. Illaunaboe Quay (GPS: 52.992583, -8.354944), a community managed slipway and parking area, is directly across Coos Bay from this island.
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 - Fools Island Loop 3.5 km away · 2 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Kilgravan to Skehanagh 3.5 km away · 7.7 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Williamstown (Dromaan) to Church Bay 8.3 km away · 7.6 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Williamstown Ilaunaboe Quay 8.3 km away · 8.75 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Terryglass to Kilgarvan 8.4 km away · 8.7 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Terryglass to Slevoir Bay Loop 8.4 km away · 8.5 km trail
Common questions
How long is the Lough Derg Blueway - Rossmore Pier to Illaunaboe Quay (Coos Bay)?
6.3 km, recorded as a linear route on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. Sport Ireland estimates 2 hours 10 minutes.
How hard is the Lough Derg Blueway - Rossmore Pier to Illaunaboe Quay (Coos Bay)?
Sport Ireland grades it Intermediate, with an overall difficulty of Moderate. Grades are set against national criteria, so they are comparable with other registered trails.
Where does the Lough Derg Blueway - Rossmore Pier to Illaunaboe Quay (Coos Bay) start?
Starts at Rossmore Pier, near Portumna. The trailhead is at 53.01734, -8.31115 (Irish Grid R 79170 96311).
Who manages the Lough Derg Blueway - Rossmore Pier to Illaunaboe Quay (Coos Bay)?
Waterways Ireland South Shannon Operations Division. They are the authority on current conditions and closures, not this page.
More in Galway
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.