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Flat Water Lower Bann

This day trip offers a relaxing trip along the Lower Bann avoiding weirs or sluice gates. Starting at Newferry you make your way down river through Portglenone and getting out at Hutchinson’s Quay.

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Points of Interest

Portglenone 

Itinerary

This itinerary has been compiled using an estimated paddling speed of 2.5 miles (4 kilometres) per hour and also allowing time for lunch breaks and the many photo opportunities along the way.  Please check forecast and in particular wind strength and direction before departing.

Launch at Newferry West as this allows for an easier shuttle. You will have the choice of canoe steps, jetty or slipway. A relaxing and winding 4 mile (6kms) paddle downstream will bring you past Portglenone Forest and into Portglenone itself (GR C974 040).  The spectacular multi-arched bridge marks your arrival.  Egress is available via the slipway or jetty Portglenone Marina,  or you may choose to stop at the Wild Duck Inn (+44 (0)28 2582 1232), a friendly family run pub offering traditional pub dining. It has its own jetty which can be seen on the right immediately after the bridge.  A short walk will bring a further choice of coffee shops, pubs and convenience stores.

Following your break at Portglenone continue to meander downstream until you get to Hutchinson’s Quay (GR C949 114) a further 5 ¼ mile (8.5km) paddle. Egress is possible by both jetty and slipway.

This trip can be extended a further 5 miles (8kms) by starting at Toome (GR H988 905) and paddling through Lough Beg. Stay to the east bank when leaving Toome to avoid the eels traps.  Lough Beg can be rough in strong winds, the east side offers more shelter due to the variety of small islands but it can become shallow in places.  Avoid landing on the west bank of Lough Beg especially during the over wintering bird season from October – March and the breeding season from March to June. 

Getting to the Start

Directions from Belfast 36 miles (58kms)
Take the M2 following signs for Londonderry. Continue along the M2 which will turn into the M22 then A6.  Shortly after passing over the large blue road bridge on Toome bypass, turn right (just after McNally’s Inn) onto the B186 signposted for Bellaghy. Continue to Bellaghy then take the first right onto the Ballyscullion Road. Continue along the Ballyscullion Road for approximately 2.5 miles and then turn right at the t –junction on to the Newferry Road. Follow this road for a further ½ mile to your destination. 

Directions from Dublin  145 miles (223 kms)
Take the M1 Northbound to Belfast then follow directions above from Belfast.

Shuttle
The shuttle is 11 miles (22 miles return).  Drive along the Newferry Road for 1.2 miles then turn right onto the Ballynease Road.  Follow this road for 3 miles to Clady.  Turn right onto the A42 at Peter J McCann’ store. After a ½ mile, turn right onto the A54 Kilrea road at Doherty & Co accountants. Drive a further 5.5 miles and follow the Brown signpost to Hutchinson’s Quay.

Eating Out recommendations are taken from Waterways Ireland – A Taste of the Waterways