The Avonbeg in Wicklow is a river that is not paddled very frequently, but it is popular with some of our members and it is easy to see why.It’s a narrow river with plenty of twists and turns to keep paddlers alert. There are plenty of rocky stretches but nothing too difficult. The main rapids on the stretch is Stanley Falls, which has some nice features on the approach as well. Stanley Falls can be scouted with ease from the roadside, and it is possible to re-run this stretch multiple times as it is quite short and the riverbank is conducive to a short walk with kayaks.
The Avonbeg is an idyllic spot with pristine water showing every feature of the river bed. There are a lot of rhododendron bushes on the banks and unfortunately these create a hazard for paddlers so it is advisable to run the river in low water initially.
Some Lir members took to the Avonbeg a few weeks ago with saws and tools to remove the bigger rhododendron branches so this cleared the way for the club trip at the weekend. The water level was low and scrapey in some places, so it was ideal for paddlers who wanted to ease back into Wicklow after a long dry spell. The Avonbeg offers a nice alternative to the more popular Avonmore, but it is more limited and not well-suited to large groups. It’s always nice to try new places though, so give it a try next time you’re on the look out for a change of scene!
Many thanks to James for organising this week’s trip.
Photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lircc/
Lir Canoe Club 
What way do levels on the avonbeg work? or is it generally runnable even in low water?