Shannon Estuary Meet - June 17th / 18th 2017

Information about ISKA meets
brianmacmahon
Posts: 178
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 9:37 am

Shannon Estuary Meet - June 17th / 18th 2017

Post by brianmacmahon » Sat Jun 03, 2017 9:26 am

Hey gang,

Yes we are now into June, doesn't time fly.
Many thanks to everyone who attended the Streamstown meet, it was a fantastic weekend.

So now we are on to the next ISKA meet and this one is very different.

The Islands of the Estuary are a rare jewel and are not well known at all amongst the sea kayaking fraternity except perhaps by the local WISKA crew.
The main islands are Inishtubbrid, Canon Island, Inishmacowney, Deer Island and Coney Island.
This area is very tidal and requires careful planning. You have eddies and counter eddies everywhere here. It is a very safe area however and this meet will be open to kayakers of every ability. It is the Wiska's go too area in bad weather. The challenge here is in navigation and the ability to "read" the water.

We will also visit the Augustinian Abbey on Canon, the abandoned villages and most interestingly of all Beeves Rock Lighthouse. There are antiquities of interest on all of the islands including an interesting monument on Coney known as the Punjab monument. It affords spectacular views from its top.

There is no where off limits to us on the estuary. We have a very friendly relationship with the islanders especially since we helped deliver a breech calf last year. You may remember from my article "Holy Cow" in the last Trasna publication.

We will have the communal Tepee tent set up for your arrival on Coney Island Saturday.

Looking forward to the fireside slagging already !!!

More details to be posted up as we get closer to the date. Stay posted !

Also please post if you are interested in going. It's handy to get a grip on the numbers expected.


Brian Mac
Meets Officer

brianmacmahon
Posts: 178
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 9:37 am

Re: Shannon Estuary Meet - June 17th / 18th 2017

Post by brianmacmahon » Sat Jun 03, 2017 9:30 am

Few Pictures of the area.

More to follow.
Attachments
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Shannon Estuary Sunset
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Beeves Lighthouse Shannon Estuary
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Inside Beeves Lighthouse
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fionatrahe
Posts: 106
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 9:37 am

Re: Shannon Estuary Meet - June 17th / 18th 2017

Post by fionatrahe » Sun Jun 04, 2017 12:53 pm

A few more details.
Briefing at 9:30am Sat 17th June at Kildysart Quay
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/52% ... 9836?hl=en

Kildysart is only accessible 2 hours either side of HW(12:24), so people will only be able to leave/return at the times we’ve worked out. There are some other options for accessing the islands, but please get in touch if you can’t make Kildysart and want to use those as there is very limited parking and we want to avoid blocking access to working slips used by local farmers, who are very kindly facilitating the meet.
Also as we’ve mentioned already, though the estuary provides relatively easy paddling it is subject to strong tidal flows and large areas dry out at low tide, so even if you’ve loads of experience if you’re having thoughts of coming along and doing your own thing, please get in touch, we wouldn’t like to see anyone marooned on a mud-flat B :( elieve me, it’s not a pretty sight! Not that I’d know anything about it… :lol:

We’ll have a team orienteering challenge on the water first :geek: :idea: so bring a compass and pencil. We’ll provide at least one map per team.
After lunch we’ll visit Beeves Lighthouse, built on a rocky shallows where the river Fergus meets the river Shannon. Next head up to Coney Island for the overnight camp.

Total paddling distance for the day will be between 22 and 28k, depending on the orienteering route your team takes.

On Sunday we’ll visit the well-preserved abbey on Canon Island which dates to the 12th century.
If we're not off the water by 3:30pm on Sunday we'll all turn into pumpkins!

As always, everything subject to change depending on weather.

Looking forward to seeing lots of you there.

brianmacmahon
Posts: 178
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 9:37 am

Re: Shannon Estuary Meet - June 17th / 18th 2017

Post by brianmacmahon » Wed Jun 07, 2017 10:12 pm

Few more teasers.
Attachments
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Rescue 115 over the estuary.
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Camp Fire
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IMG_5052.JPG
Beeves Lighthouse
IMG_5052.JPG (104.8 KiB) Viewed 9826 times

brianmacmahon
Posts: 178
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 9:37 am

Re: Shannon Estuary Meet - June 17th / 18th 2017

Post by brianmacmahon » Fri Jun 09, 2017 7:58 am

T Minus 1 Week.

The weather is looking like it's going to be fantastic.
Low wind Sunny and temp of 22 deg.

Island Weather!!

Bring sun block and beer !!!

See ye in Kildysart.

Brian Mac
Meets Officer
Attachments
IMG_5081.PNG
Weather Forecast Estuary
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PeterMcClenaghan
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Jun 27, 2014 9:00 pm

Re: Shannon Estuary Meet - June 17th / 18th 2017

Post by PeterMcClenaghan » Fri Jun 09, 2017 9:47 am

I'm keen to go on meet, travelling from Belfast

brianmacmahon
Posts: 178
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 9:37 am

Re: Shannon Estuary Meet - June 17th / 18th 2017

Post by brianmacmahon » Fri Jun 09, 2017 6:56 pm

Looking forward to meeting you Peter.
Safe travels.

Brian Mac
Meets Officer

brianmacmahon
Posts: 178
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 9:37 am

Re: Shannon Estuary Meet - June 17th / 18th 2017

Post by brianmacmahon » Fri Jun 09, 2017 7:12 pm

FOR ALL THOSE INTENDING TO ARRIVE FRIDAY

Okay there seems to be quiet a few of you intending to rock up on Friday.

So to allow everyone plenty of time we will Rendevous at the Quay Kildysart Village 2130hrs. Friday 16th.
If you arrive in the village earlier then that you can grab a drink at the Crows Nest Pub across from the Spar Supermarket. That's a short walk from the Quay car park. You can leave your car there before walking up for a pint. There is a takeaway across the road as well Friar Tucks.

Once you've partaken of refreshment and food we will pack for one nights camp on Inistubbrid island which is a short hop over from the Quay. Tides are favourable for the crossing. We will camp there for the night and then meet the main group Saturday morning. We can grap breakfast and provisions at the Spar on the Saturday morning saves packing up everything on Friday evening. There will be WISKA guides to ensure nobody gets lost on the crossing even if it's dark. I'll iron out the little details as to who will be there during the week. Stay posted.

Brian Mac
Meets Officer

brianmacmahon
Posts: 178
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 9:37 am

Re: Shannon Estuary Meet - June 17th / 18th 2017

Post by brianmacmahon » Sun Jun 11, 2017 2:48 pm

* FOR THOSE ARRIVING KILDYSART FRIDAY*



Hi Gang,

Okay for those arriving Friday at Kildysart Village.
There is a suitable campsite for us at the end of the Quay close to the pumphouse.
It's out of the way of everyone and it's right on the water which will facilitate launching in the morning.
The area is suitable to park up your car and camp right beside it.

Village is 5 minutes walk away. The nearest pub is the Corner Bar across from the Spar shopping centre.
If you want to find your fellow paddlers that's the most likely spot. There are only three pubs in the Village so it shouldn't be too hard to find everyone. The Spar is open until midnight and has a full deli counter.
There are also two takeaway resteraunts one chipper and a pizza place also open until late.

Our campsite at the Quay is well away from all habitation but please be mindful of the locals as there are two houses located close to the Quay. There is good security for parking as it's covered by CCTV. There are no parking charges or restictions. I don't need to tell you all about leave no trace for the weekend you are all sea Kayaker's.

There will be few of us there Friday night.

Looking forward to a great weekend. The weather is looking great too. Balmy 20deg and sunny.

Brian Mac
Meets Officer

colinfrancis
Posts: 120
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 9:37 am

Re: Shannon Estuary Meet - June 17th / 18th 2017

Post by colinfrancis » Sun Jun 11, 2017 5:12 pm

See you Friday evening,should be there around 18:30+_15

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