MANNIN Beach

13

A BluewAy is an area suitable for a range of water sports activities in a beautiful setting.Derrygimla hosts a kayak and a snorkel trail which are suitable for a range of abilities. want to take part? Contact a local water sports company for guiding, advice and to hire equipment (see next page for contact details).

Have your own equipment and some experience? use the Be Safe guide and map to plan your route and phone a local provider for additional information.

BALLYCONNEELY

5r

BluewayWelcome to the mANNIN BAY

www.BLuEwAY.ieFor more information log onto

M6M6

M6

M

M6

N4

N5

N5

17 1619 18

8

1415

13

M6

M18

CLEW BAY

Killala BayB a y

S l i g o

D O N E G A LB A Y

GALWAY BAYGALWAY

LONGF

Roscommon

BallyhaunisCastlerea

Claremorris

Tuam

Ballinrobe

Clifden

Strokestown

BoyleCarrick-on-ShannonSwinford

Westport

BALLINA

SLIGO

Bundoran

Ballyshannon

BirrLoughrea

BALLINASLOE

ATHLONE

Athenry

Belleek

Rossnowlagh

Belmullet

Bangor

Ballycastle

Crossmolina

Killala

Easky

WestDromore

Inishcrone Collooney

Strandhill

Grange

Mullaghmore

Dromahair

Manorhamilton

Swanlinbar

BallinamoreDrumshanbo

Lanesborough

Charlestown

Ballymote

Tubbercurry

Castlebaldwin

Foxford

Knock

Newport

LouisburghPointRoonah

Cleggan LetterfrackLeenaun

Ballyconneely

Oughterard

(Recess)Sraith Salach

Cong

Headford

RossaveelCarraroe

Ros an Mhíl

RuaAn Cheathrú

Inveran

An SpidéalSpiddal

Mount Bellew

Kilreekill

Portumna

Banagher

Terryglass

Ballyvaughan

GortLisdoonvarna

Mulrany

Keel

Roundstone

Clonmacnoise

Achill Island

Clare Island

Erris HeadHead

Benwee

InisheerInishmaan

Inishmore

Aran Islands

HeadSlyne

Castlebar

IRELAND’S BLuEwAY

1 Achill, Silver

& Golden Strand

2 Achill, Keem

3 Oldhead,

louisburgh

4 Inishbofin

5 Killary, Rosroe

6 Killary,

Glassilaun Beach

7 Killary,

Bundorragha

8 Killary,

Nancy’s Point

9 Mannin Bay

2

4

9

6

1

7 8

5

3

Leave No Trace• This coastline is precious and home to a

vast array of habitats and creatures such as sea urchins, blue rayed limpets, ballon wrasse and forests of kelp.

• These fragile organisms survive in harsh environments and are vulnerable to visitor impacts.

•we, as visitors to the BluewAy, have a responsibility to minimise our impact on the environment.

Natura 2000 siteThis area is a marine Natura 2000 site, part of larger network of sites throughout the eu and a very special place for the Bottlenose Dolphins that live here all year round. Be sure to look out for these on your trip but remember to respect them and their home and observe from a distance.

ContactsReal Adventures

e: realadventures.ie@gmail.com T: 085 1462526 w: www.realadventures.ie

Delphi Adventure Company

e: bookings@delphiescape.com T: 095 42208 w: www.delphimountainresort.com

Killary Adventure Company

e: adventure@killary.com T: 095 43411 w: www.killary.com

Scubadive west

e: info@scubadivewest.com T: 095 43922 w: www.scubadivewest.com

National ContactsFor further information on clubs in your area and taking part in canoeing and snorkelling, contact the National Governing Bodies for these sports:

www.canoe.ie www.diving.ie

T: +353 1 6251105 T: +353 1 2844601 e: office@canoe.ie e: info@diving.ie

Be Safeyou have responsibility for your safety. you must consult a tide table and weather forecast before setting out on the trails.

• These trails are accessible year round but should not be used in bad weather; especially in strong winds, or after sunset.

• Sea conditions can change quickly. Coastal kayak trails are only suitable for those with sea kayaking experience or the support of an experienced kayak instructor. local water-sports providers can advise, lead and provide equipment for trail users.

• The Mannin Bay kayak trails are closed during periods of offshore winds from the South.

• The sea at Mannin Bay is tidal, take account of the tidal flow when you are planning your trip.

• The small river at the South end of the beach can create offshore water-flows (rips) and this area of the beach should be avoided, (especially by snorkelers), when water levels on the river are high.

• BluewAyS are not suitable for mechanised watersports.

• Appropriate personal and craft buoyancy are mandatory for trail users and you must let someone on the shore know where you are going and when you will be back.

• Prepare for the Blueway, stay within your limits and the limits of your equipment.

• Travel in an appropriate group size according to the conditions and your abilities.

Ordnance Survey Ireland Permit No. 8738 © Ordnance Survey Ireland/Government of Ireland

Project Partners

BluewaymANNIN BAY

1 Parking

fToilets

kSlipway Access

3 Shore Access

bFresh water

5Public House

5water-sport Provider

uBeach Access

s Telephone

ZCafé | Restaurant

r Shop

LEGEND

NSCALE

1 KM

BluewaymANNIN BAY

ThE KAYAK TRAILS1

2

Island Trail. Turning to the right (North), the kayaker can travel along a rocky shoreline towards and around the small island (4.5 km round trip).

This can be extended into the small bay to the east of the island (7 km).

Headland Trail. To the left (west) of Mannin beach, the kayaker can follow a rocky and beach lined shore most of which can be difficult to land on. A

number of short out and back kayak trips can be made along this section of shoreline depending on the experience of the kayaker. A kayak from Mannin bay to Truska beach is suggested as an option for more experienced kayakers (7 km each way).

The cliffs along the coast are part of an upsurge of rock that began 460 million years ago (Delaney dome). This dome can be seen inland from Mannin bay which is on its declining western edge.

The bright white sand of the area allows the kayaker to see the marine life passing underneath, so look down as well as around you.

1

2

MANNIN Beach

13

ThE SNORKEL TRAILA series of rocky pools to the right (North), provide havens for a variety of sea life and you may wish to continue snorkelling to the adjoining beach (400 metres). Along the way you can see the living reddish coralline seaweed which when broken becomes one of the bleached white skeletons that make up the local sand. This plant takes years to grow so please be gentle with it and leave no trace.

while you are here, why not lie down on the beach and stare at the individual grains of sand or drift with the movement of the swell and bob gently over the seaweed and marine life.

BluewaymANNIN BAY

MANNIN Beach

13