Leixlip

Along the 19 km stretch of the Royal Canal between lock 13 at Deey Bridge and lock 12 at Castleknock, there are four permanently pegged match sections. Each section contains a minimum of 35 pegs, spaced at 30 metre intervals. There are no driveable towpaths. However, there is generally adequate parking near the entrances to these stretches. The angling conditions are beyond parallel. An abundance of quality coarse fish has been stocked into the canal over the past ten years - the health and population status of which is regularly assessed.

Permanent swims have been created on this unique fishery. These have been developed to the highest standard to satisfy the varying, and often exacting,
requirements of the pleasure, junior and match angler. All the stretches have good stocks of roach, hybrids, tench, bream, perch, rudd, and pike. Carp, are also present.

Due to the superb bankside facilities, the large and diverse fish stock, and the wide range of managed match stretches, Leixlip has been the venue of choice for many major angling events in Ireland. Over the past number of years the match stretch between Cope Bridge and Collins Bridge has played host to many international festivals and competitions. Each year there are numerous major festivals on the canal.

The Canal
The Royal Canal in the Leixlip area is between 10 and 14 m wide and averages 1.6 m deep. Water quality in the Royal Canal is excellent. The water can be very clear, particularly near Leixlip. The canal corridor supports a wide diversity of aquatic and marginal plants that harbour myriads of fish-food insects. This may explain the large quantity of plump fish that is resident in the canal. The vegetation is carefully managed by Waterways Ireland and does not pose an obstruction for anglers. Boat traffic density along the canal is low.

Fishing Tackle and Bait
Pole tackle is the most effective fishing method. However, many pleasure anglers target tench with a float rod and waggler on this relatively narrow canal. Most anglers beginning a session target the middle of the canal, fishing the bait on the bottom, at exact depths. It is advisable to introduce a small amount of groundbait at the start of the session, between four and eight small balls, and loose feed thereafter. It may be worth adding some extra groundbait if a number of cruisers pass. Fish with No. 6 or 8 elastic, 1.4 kg main line to a 0.9 kg hook length, and a medium-wire, size 18 hook. Heavier tackle may be needed if tench are the intended quarry, as fish to 2.4 kg have been recorded in the Leixlip area. These eager fish commonly fall to sweetcorn, worm and maggots.
For advice contact David Egan Chairman of the Leixlip Angling Development Society at Tel:+353 (0)87 2690886.

Fish Stocks
An incredible stock of mixed coarse fish is resident in the Royal Canal near Leixlip. The fish are healthy, wild and hard-fighting. The principal species present include roach hybrids, tench, bream, perch, rudd, pike and carp. While the canal boasts large stocks of small and medium sized fish, it also harbours very large specimens. These include bream to 1.8 kg, tench to 2.4 kg, tench to 2.4 kg, hybrids to 1.8 kg and roach to 0.7 kg. An occasional carp may be found.

Directions

Leixlip Section
From Leixlip town take the Maynooth Road (R148). This crosses the canal at Leixlip/Louisa Bridge Train Station. Continue for 1.5km, past Intel, until the road rejoins the canal at Deey Bridge. At Deey Bridge there is parking for 4-5 cars. Louisa Bridge can cater for approximately 10 cars. The Leixlip section has 62 permanent pegs. Behind the Leixlip Amenities Centre (LAC), pegs 34 to 42 are the best areas for roach and tench fishing.

Confey Section
Take the R148 from Leixlip to Louisa Bridge. Parking is available over the bridge to the right. This section has 60 permanent pegs. It can be quite good for roach, tench and pike to 9 kg.

Lucan Section
From Leixlip take the road uphill to Cope Bridge, adjacent to Confey Train Station. Cross the canal at Cope Bridge and turn right at the T-Junction. Travel on this road for 1km. There is parking for 4 cars at the Royal Canal Amenity Group Depot (RCAG).
This is one of the premier sections in the Leixlip area. There are 75 permanent pegs (see map 1). The RCAG have a boathouse and boat slip midway between the two bridges. During competitions access is permitted for 15-25 cars.
At Collins Bridge there is parking available for 6 cars. At Cope Bridge permission may be sought for parking at Confey GAA, beside the canal.
There is a wide grass towpath all along the section. Pegs 1-20 offers some good hybrids and big roach, in addition to tench, especially during the evening.
Pegs 25-35 can be mixed, boasting roach, hybrids and tench. Between pegs 52-75 there are some good bream shoals, with fish to 1.8 kg present. Good tench may also be found.

Pakenham Section
From Clonsilla town proceed past the train station, turning right at the next crossroads. Continue on this road for 1km, turning right towards Barberstown at a sharp left-hand turn. Cross the railway bridge and the canal. Parking is available on either side of the road immediately after Pakenham Bridge (see map 2). The section nearest Pakenham Bridge fishes best for roach, hybrids and tench.

Clonsilla
Turn off the N3 between Blanchardstown and Mulhuddart onto the R121 for Clonsilla. Continue on this road through the town, following the signs for Clonsilla Train Station. Parking is available in the vicinity of Clonsilla Station. The canal is best accessed by foot, on the town side of Callaghan Bridge. The bank at Clonsilla is high, in some places almost 2m (see map 2). For this reason, the canal must be fished with care. There is good roach fishing here, particularly during the winter months. Bread punch can be a good bait.

Roselawn Section
On the N3 coming from the city centre, take the first left after the junction with the M50. Continue into Castleknock, where parking is available at Granard Bridge. The Roselawn section is to the rear of the train station at Castleknock and contains 40 temporary pegs. It has a wide, grass towpath. There is no access for cars (see map 2). This area is good for roach, tench and hybrids.

Waterways Ireland is responsible for the management, maintenance, restoration and development of the inland navigations principally for recreational purposes. The Central Fisheries Board are under contract to Waterways Ireland to manage Fisheries Development, Weed Management and Water Quality on the Royal Canal, the Grand Canal, the Barrow Navigation and the Shannon Erne Waterway.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Waterways Ireland
For Operational Queries in the Eastern Region contact
Waterways Ireland, Floor 2, Block C, Ashtown Gate, Navan Rd, Dublin 15.
Tel: +353 (0)1 8680148
info@waterwaysireland.org

For Promotional Information contact
Waterways Ireland, 20 Darling St., Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh.
Tel: +44 (0)28 6634 6219
info@waterwaysireland.org
www.waterwaysireland.org

Leixlip Angling Development Society (LADS)
David Egan, Chairman.
264 Castletown, Leixlip, Co. Kildare.
Tel: +353 (0)1 6242968 / +353 (0)87 2690886

Leixlip & District Angling Association
Mattie Cunningham, Secretary.
4 Sli an Chanail, Leixlip, Co. Kildare.
Tel: +353 (0)1 6104777

Tourist Information
Kildare Failte, 38 South Main Street, Naas, Co. Kildare.
Tel: +353 (0)45 898888, Fax: +353 (0)45 898887
Email: kildarefailte@indigo.ie

Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in the production of the guide. No responsibility can be accepted for any error, ommission, misinterpretation or subsequent changes which may occur.

If requested this brochure can be made available in accessible formats, subject to time constraints