THIS CACHE
It is a small container tied in place on a branch that overhangs the river. Please dont untie the container. Since this is a letter box cache the container holds an ink stamp as well but not an ink pad so if you want an impression of the stamp you will need to bring your own pad. This cache was placed while seated in a kayak. It is placed at an low height without tools but given the water levels on the day it was placed were high it might be somewhat higher when you visit,
What did the grape say when the badger stood on it?
A: Nothing, it just let out a little wine!
THE SLIPWAY
Coordinates have been provided for a slipway halfway along the canal. There is parking there for several cars. There is a barrier across the slipway which is usually locked so while its possible to launch paddle boards and kayaks, launching a boat might be an issue.
NEWRY CANAL
The newry canal was opened in 1742 and was built to bring coal from Tyrone to the Irish Sea. The coming of railways in the 1850s saw the canal go into decline. While Newry continued to prosper as a port, the traffic on the canal had halved by 1888. Declining income and increasing maintenance costs meant that commecial traffic ceased in 1936. By 1956 the canal was closed as far as Newry and by 1966 the section to Victoria lock was abandoned when Warrenpoint replaced the port of Newry.
Today the lower section is used for fishing with platforms along a 3.5 mile stretch. A greenway walk now stretches from Victoria all the way to Newry. Above Newry the towpath has been incorporated into both the Ulster Way and the National Cycle Network
Safety (mostly kayaking based)
- Be competent in the use of whatever craft you use.
- Wear a personal life jacket or buoyancy aid. The canoe should be sufficiently bouyant to remain afloat if you capsize
- It is recommended not to canoe alone
- A canoe may be difficult to see from a larger craft so carry a whistle
- You do not need to be able to swim a long distance but you should have sufficient water confidence to deal with a capsized boat and get ashore safely
- Carry water and snacks.
- Wear adequate clothing, prolonged immersion in cold water leads to hypothermia, sun even in Ireland can burn quickly on a good day.
- Leave details of your journey with a responsible adult
