Ireland is recognised as being the outstanding fishing holiday destination in Europe. The vast variety and quality of fishing in Ireland makes it the perfect destination for your angling holiday.

The Irish climate is well suited to sport angling. It is temperate and kind to the angler with moderate summers, mild winters and adequate rainfall throughout the year. The warm waters of the North Atlantic Drift lap the south and west coasts, giving us a milder climate than our geographical location would indicate.

The result is a fabulous mixture of cold and warm water fish species, capable of exciting the specialist or casual angler on the annual family holiday. In fresh water, they range from Carp, more attuned to warm waters, to the Atlantic Salmon, which is a north Atlantic species. The marine species range from the cold water Cod and Coalfish to the Mediterranean loving Bass and the mid Atlantic Blue Shark.

Many Irish people enjoy fishing but we are happy to share our "riches" with our fellow anglers from all over the world. Few of us, however, fish for coarse fish (freshwater species other than the salmon and trout family) which means that our magnificent pike, bream, tench, roach, rudd and eel fisheries are largely left to the tourist, as is much of the sea angling, particularly along the south and west coasts.

Local waterways man, John O'Neill with a Barrow Pike. Photo by James Burke.

Lakes, rivers and coastal stretches are surveyed and mapped, fisheries are managed and stocked, while banks and access routes to the waters edge are developed to ensure the visitor gets directly and easily to the hotspots. Most of the angling is organised around recognised angling centres which specialise in catering for the angling tourist. Salmon and trout fisheries are usually the property of an individual, club, organisation or the state and permission to fish is generally required except in the case of the state owned lakes, such as the Great Western Loughs and the Lakes of Killarney.

Some waters have seldom, if ever seen a rod and line but exploration is always an enjoyable part of an fishing holiday, so do not be afraid to "have a go", it might well result in the fish of a lifetime. More info online from:

http://www.fishinginireland.info/coarse/south.htm

Twaite Shad in Ireland

The Barrow supports a fishery for twaite shad and plays host to a prestigious international shad fishing competition. The Barrow is renowned as a game and coarse angling river for salmon, brown trout, roach, rudd, pike, perch and tench with easy access to all parts of the river from the Barrow footpath. The excellent stocks of quality pike are one of the main attractions for anglers on the River Barrow, with abundant stocks of 20lbs.

Good trout fishing can be enjoyed at a number of locations on the river and its tributaries. The area behind the Dolmen Hotel in Carlow has enhanced fishing in this stretch. Between Goresbridge and Graiguenamanagh and at Milford the fishing can be very good and trout of up to 2lbs can be caught. Below the weir in St. Mullins the trout are small (.5lb) but plentiful.

source: Infowing.ie other links: Fishing HQ

 
Fishing Tackle and Permits

• Mr. A. McCullagh, Market Square, Bagenalstown t:+ 353 (0)59 9721381
• Mr. Liam O' Connor, O' Connor's Newsagents, The Square, Tullow t: +353 (0)59 9151337
• Murph's Fishing, Tullow Street, Carlow. t:+353 (0)59 9132839 website
• Southern County Fishing, Garryhill, County Carlow. (See listing below).

Angling in Carlow? Fishing guides are available in each self-catering house. Local knowledge freely given, Packed Lunches available from our own restaurant. Beer available in our own pub! Shopping & sightseeing for the non-anglers in the party. What more could you ask of an Irish angling holiday on Ireland's beautiful River Barrow?

Local lock keeper (and keen fly fisherman) John O'Neill with a (pre-ban) Barrow salmon. John works for Waterways Ireland, and will advise on fishing in the area, obtaining permits etc. John O'Neill - Mobile: 087 9516333

Click here for Leisure page

Coarse Fishing on the river Barrow, Ireland

Where to Fish

NEW ADDITIONS:

• Southern County Fishing, Garryhill, County Carlow. Stocked lakes. Open 7 days from 9am to 7pm. Tel: +353 59 91 57773 www.southerncounty.ie - "these are great lakes for bringing the children to, as you are almost guaranteed to catch some decent rainbow trout and they'll be hooked for life" Local tackle dealer.
  
  
  
  
• Oaklands Lake, Marshmeadows, New Ross, County Wexford. 4.5 Acre lake created especially for coarse fishing: www.oaklandslake.com
  Telephone: +353 (0)51 445348
  Mobile: +353 (0)87 6988979
  Email: oaklandslake@hotmail.com

Laois Angling Centre - (Laois is pronounced "Leash")

The lakes are stocked regularly with brown and rainbow trout, carp and bream ensuring a varied and interesting experience. The modern facilities include large parking area, wheelchair access, tackle hire and light refreshments with picnic and barbeque areas ideal for family and corporate events. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, the Laois Angling Center provides the complete fishing experience. Situated less than an hour's drive from Garrison House.

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KELLIVILLE LAKE, County Laois, Carp and Course Fishery

http://www.go-fish.co.uk/venue_7828.htm

"We are a new Carp and course species fishery for catering for the day angler and those who wish to stay overnight and fish for the eulsive Carp. Our lakes are stocked with quality Carp and only a short way outside Dublin approx 1hrs drive. We are located on the Athy too Portlaoise road and can easilay be found. The fishery is called KELLIVILLE LAKE. Under management from the eastern Fisheries board and we welcome all who wish to fish. Includes are Tench species Monster Carp Trout rudd roach and Bream and Tench. So let your fellow angler know of the venue at KELLIVILLE LAKES where the fishing is mainly for the course species all methods allowed. Please contact me via Email should you have any enquires for the day or weekend stay for the hardcore Carp angler at jade06.dragon@yahoo.co.uk" 

Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club -

The course is set in 300 acres of breathtaking parklands in the former Hall-Dare Estate and the lift is provided more as a convenience than as a life saver. But it does introduce a feature that could be copied to good advantage at a number of other Irish courses which present a stern walking challenge to all and an impossible test to their senior citizens. Opulence and old world rural charm are being combined in a manner befitting a magnificent location with the end result being another glittering jewel in Ireland’s crown of fine golf courses.This is a big golf course. It runs over 7,000 yards and it is definitely the highest point to date in the ascending design career of Jeff Howes. It is set to be a worthy neighbour to Mount Juliet and that just about says it all. Even better, the town of Bunclody is in the Adare-style of rustic charm and the luxurious Carlton Millrace Hotel is just across from the entrance.

Castlecomer Discovery Park

The grounds of Castlecomer Discovery Park are centred around two rainbow trout angling lakes. Originally constructed by the Prior Wandesforde family, the two man-made lakes formed a centrepiece for their demesne. Having been drained in the past, the lakes are now fully re-instated with angling stands to allow full access to the water and a series of cascades link the lakes and channel the water back into the River Deen.

The lower lake is reserved for fly fishing and the upper lake for bait fishing and both are regularly stocked with Rainbow Trout varying from 1 to 15 lbs (0.5 to 7 kilograms) in weight. Angling is year round.

Castlecomer Lakes, Estate Yard, Castlecomer, County Kilkenny
t: +353 (0)56 4440707 w: www.cdlakes.ie  e: info@cdlakes.ie

Directions: From Leighlinbridge, head to Paulstown (in Kilkenny direction) and beyond the village, take right hand turn signposted Castlecomer. Turn left towards town. The Discovery Park is on your right.