Lough Derg Blueway - Williamstown (Dromaan) to Church Bay
Paddling Trail · Clare
Lough Derg Blueway - Williamstown (Dromaan) to Church Bay is a 7.6 km intermediate waymarked out-and-back route in Clare, starting near Williamstown.
Note from the trail operator
Difficulty: This is relatively sheltered initially but can be exposed to wind and wave activity in the last kilometre. Suitable for intermediate paddlers 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 40 minutes |
Getting there
Starts at Williamstown Harbour, near Williamstown.
Finishes at Williamstown Harbour.
- Trailhead coordinates
- 52.9437, -8.33145
- Irish Grid reference
- R 77770 88123
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
Leave the long channel out of the well sheltered and attractive Williamstown harbour and travel straight ahead (south) across the small inlet to the narrow tree lined point (600 meters). Continue south west past the small cluster of lake-shore houses (1.3 km), to the headland at Ashbrook which you round. This area can be the windiest part of your journey so be prepared to turn back here if it is prudent to do so. You pass the slight bay to the next headland/island (3.5 km), and then turn right (north) into the small Church bay and the small harbour at its end.
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 - Williamstown Ilaunaboe Quay 0 m away · 8.75 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Dormineer to Garrykennedy via Tamona Little and Youghal Quay 4.1 km away · 11 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Dromineer to Luska 4.1 km away · 6 km trail
- Sli Eala 4.1 km away · 10.4 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Garrykennedy to Youghal Village and Little Tamona 4.4 km away · 4.5 km trail
- Lough Derg BLueway - Mountshannon and Cloonoolia Bays 6.8 km away · 6.6 km trail
Common questions
How long is the Lough Derg Blueway - Williamstown (Dromaan) to Church Bay?
7.6 km, recorded as a out-and-back route on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. Sport Ireland estimates 2 hours 40 minutes.
How hard is the Lough Derg Blueway - Williamstown (Dromaan) to Church 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 - Williamstown (Dromaan) to Church Bay start?
Starts at Williamstown Harbour, near Williamstown. The trailhead is at 52.9437, -8.33145 (Irish Grid R 77770 88123).
Who manages the Lough Derg Blueway - Williamstown (Dromaan) to Church Bay?
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.