Offaly Angling

Clodiagh River
The Clodiagh River flows north through Clonaslee and Rahan to join the River Brosna. It holds some good stocks of trout and gets a good late run of salmon. The best of the brown trout fishing is from Rahan to the junction of the Tullamore River; the best of the salmon fishing is in a stretch downstream of Rahan, and the salmon usually arrive in July if there is enough water to bring them up.

Yellow River Angling
The Yellow River flows through County Offaly to join the Boyne north of Edenderry. It holds a small stock of good trout and the best fishing is early in the season. Edenderry Anglers Association claims fishing rights on the river.

Meelick Fishery
The salmon fishing at Meelick on the Shannon is about five miles downstream of Banagher, County Offaly. This fishery is heavily fished at the peak of the season. The fishing is in two parts: the right bank or Eyrecourt side and the left bank or Offaly side. The salmon fishing begins at Meelick around the third week of May, with the peak in the last week of June or early July. Access to the right bank is off the Banagher-Eyrescourt Road at Kinlaborris; access to the left bank is from Banagher, via Lusmagh village to Victoria Lough. A boat is necessary to fish this side and anglers must provide their own.

Pallas Lake
Pallas Lake is a small fishery eight miles south-west of Tullamore. It is stocked with brown trout and rainbow trout. Bank fishing only is permitted. The fishing methods are restricted to artificial fly, and there is a six-trout bag limit and an 11 inch size limit. A fisheries board permit is required.

The Grand Canal
Boats, both privately owned and for hire, move along the Grand Canal sometimes taking the Barrow Line down to Athy or remaining on the Main Line for the journey to Shannon Harbour. Many private boats journey mainly at weekends returning week after week to the freedom of the Grand Canal’s clear and peaceful waters.

250 years of history are waiting to be discovered along the banks of the Grand Canal. Much of it can be seen from the water or on food, from the towpaths. The canal enters the heart of Dublin through Inchicore, where flocks of Mute Swans gather every autumn, delighting tourists and locals alike. The city canal stretches offer close access to the museum and galleries, theatres, shopping and nightlife. Travelling by boat offers you the option to then change your scenery as outside Dublin the canal passes through more rural countryside, with village life providing a different type of entertainment.

There is a variety of wildlife along the route and the canal offers the best opportunity to get close to kingfishers, herons and even otters.

Anglers will also enjoy the open spaces and easy access to excellent coarse fishing. Specially designed fishing stands offering access to anglers with disabilities have been installed at a number of locations along the Canal. Significant stretches of water have been carefully restocked to create some of the best fisheries in Europe, so wherever you aer you wont be disappointed.

The Grand Canal way runs the entire length of the Main Line of the canal; walkers have an ideal route to follow as they venture from city to countryside or vice versa.