Laune - Grade 1 / 2
Gently flowing river, which meanders through woodland and pastureland, passing two castles en route. One long, straightforward, rapid at Beaufort Bridge and several gentle, easy rapids.
Middle Sheen - Grade 2
Narrow, sometimes shallow, river with woods on either side. Straightforward and continuous rapids for the entire trip. Great river for an introduction to white water.
Lower Caragh - Grade 2
Continuous and exciting rapids. Some sections are especially fun and bouncy in high water. Plenty of eddies. Can be paddled at most water levels. One of the best Grade 2 river’s in the country!
Lower Flesk - Grade 2
Wide, large volume, river near Killarney. Very good rapids, interspersed with gently flowing sections. In low water it’s a good technical river with plenty of eddies. In high water it’s a fast, bouncy paddle, with large standing waves. When other rivers are too low this can still be paddled.
Lower Roughty - Grade 2 / 3
Good rapids, interspersed with gently flowing sections. Some of the rapids consist of exciting pour-overs. The rapids can be technical, and require some skill. Couple of Grade 3 / 4 rapids. Great river when others are too high.
Upper Caragh - Grade 2 / 3
First half of this river is a gentle, scenic paddle through woodland and the mountain scenery of Glencar. Easy Grade 2 rapids. One section of overhanging trees to paddle through. Three Grade 3 rapids at the end of the river. Good banks for rescue. Watch out for big stoppers!
Upper Sheen - Grade 3
Excellent river. Steep, continuous and technical drops, that often require inspection. Needs a lot of rain to run it.
Lower Sheen - Grade 3
Technical and continuous rapids, with large pools at the bottom of each rapid. Be aware of some metal spikes submerged in the water.
Owenroe - Grade 3
Short, excellent river. Fast, continuous, large rapids. Small eddies. Good banks for rescue. It’s possible to run this river several times, walking your kayaks back to the start each time. If you start at Cloon Lough there is a section to portage, where the river flows through a jungle.
Gearhameen - Grade 3
Impressive, very isolated river, running through the Black Valley. Steep drops, with serious consequences on some. Needs a full day to run it, because of driving time and drop inspection. Great day out!
Blackwater - Grade 3 / 4
Large volume river with bouncy rapids. Great standing waves in high water. Final section drops into a high, steep canyon which consists of three rapids leading into a Grade 4 drop. This drop is tidal. Good inspection and rescue cover is necessary.
Clydagh - Grade 3 / 4
Brilliant paddle! The Grade 4 section is halfway down and is a series of drops leading into a long, steep rock-slide. The Clydagh turns into the Middle Flesk, which is a Grade 5 river, so make sure you know where you’re getting out.
Ballaghisheen - Grade 4
Tricky, fast creek with few eddies.
Caraghbeg - Grade 4
Fast, steep and exciting creek. Narrow, with overhanging trees, some which may require a portage. Excellent, non-stop drops with very small eddies.
Feaghanagh - Grade 4
Steep river on the Dingle Peninsula.
Emlagh - Grade 4
Steep, short river on the Dingle Peninsula. Continuous rapids.
Middle Flesk - Grade 4 / 5
Serious, sustained and exciting river. Narrow, steep canyons, technical drops and powerful stoppers. Inspection and rescue cover is necessary.
Roughty - Grade 4 / 5
Great river. Technical rapids, interspersed with gently flowing sections. It winds steeply through woods, past Kilgarvan, into Kenmare Bay.
Slaheny - Grade 4 / 5
Long, continuous rapids with one Grade 5 drop, which requires good rescue cover. The lower section consists of exciting Grade 3 / 4 rapids.
Cleady - Grade 4 / 5
Steep, continuous river. Some serious drops. Powerful stoppers. Inspection is advisable.
Gaddagh - Grade 5
Excellent, alpine river which runs steeply down from Ireland’s highest mountain; Carrauntoohil. This needs a huge amount of rain to paddle it. From the moment you begin paddling it is a non-stop roller coaster ride. No particularly nasty drops. Tiny eddies.
