Where is the best place to spend easter paddling?

[madyaker]

Hi,

We are a group of paddlers from england looking to paddles some rivers at easter?

We normally paddle in scotland at easter but are looking for somewhere else to go and would like to come to ireland.

Where is the most reliable place for grade 3+/4 water to paddle.

Cheers Steve

[bryanrichardson]

Depending on weather conditions it could be a famine or a feast!
I recommend the Cork/ Kerry area. Plenty of choice of rivers (see the guide for details) and plenty of places for surf too.
Hope you have a good trip.

Bryan

[muirs]

I'd have to agree with Bryan, South is best. Obviously, all rain dependent, but if rivers are up Killarney is a good base, you have most Cork / Kerry rivers within an hour. If no rain but surf looks good, both Cork and Kerry coasts have some nice places. If no rain and no surf there are also some good playspots around. And if all that fails there's nice hillwalking / mountain biking / boozing!
If you'll be arriving into Dublin, Cork is 2.5 hours away, Killarney maybe an hour further.
Any more information you need let us know.
Muireann

[EoinH]

If there is rain forecast for the East coast then the rivers of Wicklow (just south of Dublin) is another option. There area a lot of good grade 3/4 runs in the Wicklow mountains but again you need it to be raining heavily in the run up as most are spate rivers. Some of the most popular are the Annamoe, Dargle, Upper Liffey and Glenmacnass Rivers. There are plenty of excellent hostels etc in Wicklow and lots of other activities like mountain biking, hillwalking etc to keep you busy. Glendalough could be an excellent base situated on the edge of the national park, no more than 2.5 hrs drive from Dublin airport.