Flat Water Ireland

Quoile River

DownOut and Back

Park up at Jane's Shore in Downpatrick and when you get in the water paddle left upstream. Lots of bird activity to observe. You can continue on and (water levels permitting!) navigate through the brief tunnel under the Belfast road. This is wide enough for a canoe. Stop at Inch Abbey and explore the beautiful ruins. Continue on until you paddle under the Quoile bridge train track. From here you can continue until the Quoile river meets the Annacloy river just beside Hollymount National Nature Reserve. This is a logical place to turn around and return to Jane's short but you can continue upstream the whole way to Annacloy if you like. It is a lengthy paddle with no public access and limited places to pull in for a break.

Additional Info

Be wary of water level. Shallow and rocky in places when water level is low and restricted tunnel passage when water levels are high. Don't turn right when you launch at Jane's shore, further downstream towards Strangford Lough is a bird reserve with no boating access.

Photos

Photo of Quoile River

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