The Lower Bann River, Northern Ireland

The Lower Bann River helps form the longest waterway in Northern Ireland, offering visitors a tranquil atmosphere and unspoilt scenery.

This is the perfect location for water based recreation; from fishing to waterskiing and cruising to canoeing, this magnificent river has something to offer everyone.

The Lower River Bann flows from Lough Neagh, the largest inland Lough in the British Isles before meandering through Lough Beg, a small freshwater lake and a National Nature Reserve site before entering the Causeway Coast and Glens region. This region is famous for outstanding beauty and a host of attractions including Dunluce Castle, Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge, Old Bushmills Distillery and UNESCO World Heritage site, the world famous Giant's Causeway. The river flows through or close to the towns of Portglenone, which offers one of the best coarse fishing spots on the river, the small market town of Kilrea and the university town of Coleraine.

This thirty eight mile canalised river is navigable from Lough Neagh through to the Atlantic ocean at the Barmouth between the seaside resorts of Castlerock and Portstewart, with just five locks (one a double lock) leaving long stretches of open water. The Lower Bann Valley is home to many countless forms of rich wildlife and is very popular with activity enthusiasts, cruisers and anglers alike, with a zoning system in place to accommodate varied interests. Watersports centres, including Loughan marina and Newferry, provide a range of watersport activities and tuition including canoeing, powerboating, jet skiing and waterskiing. Privately owned boats are plentiful, with marinas along the waterway providing excellent facilities for visitors to take full advantage of the wide range of activities, local hospitality and heritage sites available. With no airdraft limit, Lough Neagh is extremely popular for sailing regattas and further serves as a base for numerous canoeing, rowing and sailing clubs which remain active throughout the year. The Lower Bann is clearly a haven for water based activities, but there is a feast of other activities available too, with angling a particular favourite.

The Lower Bann is internationally renowned for both coarse and game angling and offers anglers a variety of fish species at a range of different venues. Highly prized Atlantic Salmon can be caught on the Lower River Bann, along with Pike, Trout, Eel, Perch, Bream and Roach. Carnroe offers the finest Salmon beat in Ireland as fish congregate in low summer waters. The four main tributary rivers, including Macosquin, Ballymoney, Clady and Agivey, are a fantastic opportunity for game angling. Movanagher Canal, Portna Canal and Lough Beg are excellent opportunities for coarse angling.

The Lower Bann Valley also offers premier golfing experiences, bird watching at the Barmouth and boat trip opportunities. The Maid of Antrim, which departs from Ballyronan Marina on the western shores of Lough Neagh, is the perfect way to explore Lough Neagh and the Lower River Bann. The Lady Sandel departs from Christie Park, Coleraine and offers 90 minute cruises either upstream or downstream. If you would rather discover the river yourself why not enjoy the Lower Bann Canoe trail. The trail runs from Toome to the last stretch towards the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 1.5km from the Barmouth).

The Lower Bann Valley has so much to offer from water and land activities, history and heritage, so why not come and explore the region.

This project has been part funded by the European Union through the Lower Bann Partnership Ltd.