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Playspot: Ireland, Galway, River Clare, Tuam Hole.

What's it like

This man-made weir was put in place to aerate the water for a sugar factory that has now closed. Thankfully it's still doing its job and has created a very friendly play-hole.

Paddler Brian Cahill, loop sequence in the dark!. Pics Jackie Ferguson

This spot works after recent rain. If caught at the perfect level this spot can be alot of fun and lovely and retentive but oh to catch the perfect level! Usually though its quite flushy but still lots of fun. It can be a lovely looping spot. its also a great spot for party hole as the feature is roughly 20 ft wide

Paddlers: Dave Pierce, Una and Donal, pics themselves.

With two large eddies either side,the spot not being very fast and easy entry/exit this is the perfect spot to introduce beginners to playboating. The nearby university club in Galway paddle here all the time!

Paddler: Dec McGowan pic Eoin Hurst

Best time to paddle here well after rain so check the weather forecast, but winter is a safer bet. A word of caution for some reason and I never figured it out this has got to be one of the coldest places to playboat so wrap up!

How to get there

Coming into Tuam from Galway. Go through the first set of traffic lights. When you come to the next set of traffic lights turn left at this junction. This road is R332 and the sign is for Balinrobe. Follow this road until you come to a gas station on the right and the NCF co op on the left. Park beside the yellow railings making sure not to block the NCF exit.

Put in: Walk up to the bridge past the gas station look to your right and you can see the hole upstream. Access is on river left. Simply climb over the wall, walk through the trees and your there.

Take Out: Getting out is easier simply paddle below the bridge, immediatly after the bridge get out on river left, climb up the embankment and take a short stroll to your car easy!

More info

This play spot is rain dependent and is best after 2 days of rain. If your in the vacinity there is a guage upstream of the hole. check if its about 0.8 or above.

Ask on this University site if its working as they paddle there quite alot and should have a good idea if its good to go

http://nuigkc.com

Locals

There is a gate next to the station that leads to the hole through somebodys land. The owner can be cranky and does not like tresspassers. He has a dog who starts to bark if you get in this way. If the man is home he will come out and give out so please get in at the wall up further

You can see the dog in this picture he often comes to the hole to watch paddlers strange but true!

Paddler Rob Heraghty pic by Jean Costello

Info source

Jackie Ferguson
+353 87 7870090

Nearest weather station (°C):