While staying in Nenagh Tipperary recently, we were seeking a nice location that would cater for a family day out offering water activities on Lough Derg. On previous holidays, we had done some kayaking and the gang really wanted to spend some time on the water.

We searched the local area and one venue was coming back to us as a recommended location.

UL Sport Adventure Centre is located on the banks of Lough Derg, on the Clare side. It’s the activity centre for the University of Limerick and it’s where all their staff complete instruction training and where courses on water safety and outdoor education take place.

It’s also open to the public and is available for birthday parties, family days out, group days out like stag, hen and clubs and also for larger groups like large corporate bodies etc.

Getting to it

The centre is located on the edge of Lough Derg, along the lakeside just north of Killaloe. It’s a picturesque lakeside setting surrounded by mountains showing patchwork fields sloping down to the Lough. It’s really stunning, providing the perfect back drop and you really couldn’t ask for better!

We were staying in Nenagh and it’s a leisurely 30 minute drive taking you into Killaloe. You’ll go across the bridge here to arrive on the Clare side of the Lough, turn right immediately after the bridge and follow the road for about 10 minutes until you come to a large picnic / parking area on your right hand side. The activity centre is through a gate beside the car park (there’s no parking inside the centre itself).

Have to say what struck me immediately (other than the view), was the proximity to the water. You are literally right on it and from getting changed you are in the water in 30 seconds. Its great too that the water is just ankle deep and knee deep to start and I think this really works great for children – it’s a very gradual introduction to the water i.e. kids can paddle there for a few minutes before getting onto kayaks or paddle boards.

There’s a small sheltered area that you practice in and it’s safe and fun and the water never goes above their waist. I have visited some venues where the activities take place in a harbour or off the end of a pier and this can be daunting for children (and adults too) who might not be very comfortable yet around the water. I have to say though, after a few minutes with the instructors at any venue you are totally at ease. They are very good at what they do, highly professional and they make sure you enjoy your experience.

Personally speaking, I just think for people who might be new to the experience and trying out water activities for the first time, being able to walk into the water and stand in the water at lakeside is a much more subtle introduction.

So we had a 2 hour session – 1 hour on kayaks and 1 hour on stand up paddle boards. Absolutely great craic. We had 2 adults and 5 kids, the youngest being 8 years old who was able to go on a kayak and a paddle board with dad. Kit and gear is supplied and includes wet suits, outer jacket (due to some light rain), life jacket and helmet. All kitted up and looking the part, we took to the water for some fun.

The kayaks were very easy to use / control. These are formed one piece shaped boats that have flat seats and foot wells moulded into them. You climb on and paddle away. They are very easy to use and control and they are incredibly sturdy. It’s not like a canoe where you’re sitting down into the hollow boat and clipped in. With kayaks, you’re basically sitting on top on the ‘outside’ and you can jump off and get back on again. The kids had great fun on these.

After getting used to some basic manoeuvres, we ventured out a little further along the lake. We were skimming over the water now and really getting into this. Our instructor ‘Zoro’, suggested we take a little detour through some tall reeds. This was great fun and you have to work/paddle together to navigate the channel. (Our boats did a lot of reversing on this particular challenge!!).

We cleared the reeds and out the other side, next we had to try and line up the kayaks beside each other and then swap passengers. Again, really good fun and some team work needed to hold the boats together and transfer passengers from one to the other. Nobody fell in on this exercise and surprisingly some were hugely disappointed in not doing so!

We started to get the hang of this and we were cruising now. I remembered to stop every now and then and actually take in the scenery. As I mentioned, it really is a stunning location. Tipperary on one side and Clare on the other and beautiful fields in the distance sloping down the hill sides.

So now Zoro asked us if we’d like to try and stand up on the kayaks. Oh the fun!!
You know what happened – there were numerous splashes and the sound of excited little voices shouting “again, again”.  The water was ‘fresh’ on the first dunk but you acclimatized quickly and then you actually just looked for excuses to fall in again. 

The kids loved the bouyancy aids / life jackets – you’ll float without any effort at all and this makes it really safe and fun for them. Having been in the hotel pool that morning where they had to work to swim and stay afloat, this was a complete novelty for them. You see that look on their little faces that says “hey, this is so cool” and you know it’s just going to be a great day out!

We paddled back (actually we raced each other!) to the start point, caught our breath and traded in our kayaks for some Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP).

Lots more fun in store as each in our group raced to be the first to ‘stand up’ and get the hang of this. Of course it had to be this writer (ahem) who got it first! You’ve got one paddle this time and it’s a side to side paddle motion that works best. I had my little ballast weight up front (Lucy Lu) who helped paddle and get us ahead. Now and then, we’d do a sharp turn which threw the two of us into the water. It was really great fun. The activities are wonderful but being on the water with the kids, safe and happy is really something quite special.

Nearing the end of our session on the water, Zoro had one more treat in store for us. We walked to the edge of their small pier where he wanted us to jump into the water. Honestly, haven’t seen the kids that excited since the last ‘Fortnite’ update! They jumped and were submerged, climbed up the small ladder and then jumped in again. We had to bribe them to get out and go get changed! They enjoyed it immensely and as days out go, you can’t ask for much more.

Bring some old runners with you as you will wear these on the water. Also you’ll need a change of clothes and towels etc. for afterwards. Everything else you need – all equipment is supplied at the centre including wet suits, buoyancy aids, helmets, paddles and kayaks. There are changing rooms with hot showers where you can shower & dress afterwards.

If you like, have a picnic for after and you can sit outside and take in the sights. We just didn’t want to leave.

Would highly recommend UL Sports Adventure Centre for your next day out. It really is a day out to remember and it was a highlight of our holiday in the region. While we were checking in, the reception phone was busy with inquiries and bookings so do call ahead and book in your group. It’s worth every cent!. for more details.

The centre caters for groups large and small, family days out, Birthday parties and clubs, scouts etc. There’s lots of water activities and they also have land based activities too so you can do half and half. The Summer Camps are designed this way and are very popular. Days out like this are absolutely ideal for Stag and Hen groups and guaranteed to offer lots of craic!

Lovely bunch of people there, they have a great team and the instructors are very professional but really make you comfortable and help you out. Thanks to ‘Zoro’ who assisted us on our day out at UL Sports Adventure Centre.

The rating from our DayOut group was “HIGHLY, HIGHLY Recommended”.

UL Sport Adventure Centre

Twomilegate,
Killaloe
Co. Clare
Ireland

Phone:+353 (0)61 376622
Fax:+353 (0)61 375137
Email: info@ulac.ie

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