Edenderry

Nine permanent match stretches occupy the length of the Grand Canal within 15 km of Edenderry town. This section of canal corridor is unconfined by lock gates for 31 kilometres. Each stretch is permanently marked and contains a minimum of 25 pegs, spaced at 30 metre intervals. The towpaths are driveable and adjacent car parking facilities are provided. The towpaths, like the canal itself, are maintained to the highest standard by Waterways Ireland, while the angling conditions are beyond parallel. A vast number of mixed coarse fish have been stocked into the canal over the past ten years - the health and population status of which is regularly assessed.

Apart from the 262 permanent swims that have been created for the match angler on this unique fishery, a number of stretches have been prepared to cater for the pleasure fisherman and the junior angler. Included among these is the famous Edenderry Branch Line. Fished 12 months a year, this highly productive venue regularly produces catches in excess of 50lb per session. Bream, tench, roach, rudd, hybrids, carp, perch and gudgeon are the principal fish species present.

Over the past decade the Grand Canal at Edenderry has played host to a large number of prestigious international, national, provincial and local angling festivals. Because of the superb bank-side facilities, the large and diverse fish stock and the wide range of managed match stretches, Edenderry had been the venue of choice for many major angling events in Ireland. Each year the Edenderry Coarse Angling Club (CAC) stages two major festivals on the canal. These are the Guinness Solo three-day Festival in June and the two day Edenderry ADC Coarse Angling Festival in July.

The Canal
The Grand Canal in the Edenderry area is between 13 and 16 m wide and averages 1.7 m deep. Depths to 2 m are available in the section between Downshire Bridge and Lock 20. The water is normally coloured and is generally static or very slow flowing. 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 vegitation 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 best fishing method on this relatively narrow canal. Float fishing can also be successful. Most anglers beginning a session firstly target the middle of the canal, fishing the bait just 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, 3lb main line to a 2lb hook length, and a medium-wire, size 18 hook. Be aware that large fish patrol this canal and will test your equipment. Be prepared to introduce heavier terminal tackle. A wide range of hook baits work in this canal, although white and red maggot, pinkies, casters and worm often work best. It is worth having corn on standby.
For advice contact Pauric Kelly Chairman of the Edenderry ADC at Tel:+353 (0)46 9732071.

Fish Stocks
An incredible stock of mixed coarse fish is resident in the Grand Canal near Edenderry. The fish are healthy, wild and hard-fighting. The principal species present include roach, bream, hybrids, tench and perch, although rudd, gudgeon, carp and eel also abound. The fish stocks are managed by the Central Fisheries Board, on behalf of Waterways Ireland, and regular stock status and health checks are made. While the canal boasts large stocks of small and medium sized fish, it also harbours very large specimens. These include bream to 8lb, tench to 6lb, hybrids to 4lb and roach to 2lb. An occasional carp to 15lb may be found patrolling the Harbour area.

Directions

Killeen Match Stretch
From the centre of Edenderry take the Tullamore road (R402) to Mount Lucas Business Park (15km). Take the first right 0.8 km after Mount Lucas Business Park. From here to Killeen Bridge is 2.4 km (see map 1). Take an immediate right turn after the hump-back bridge. To the end of the hardcore towpath is 0.8 km. The Reserve Match Stretch, extends for 0.4 km from this point.
The Killeen Match Stretch, is permanently pegged, from peg 40 near the end of the Reserve Stretch to peg 1 at the Bord na Mona Lifting Bridge.

Toberdaly Match Stretch
Edenderry to the signpost for Rhode/Rochfortbridge is 13 km. Turn right and travel 3.2 km to the Rhode / Toberdaly / Tokn Grass junction (see map 1). From here to the Toberdaly Bridge is 1.1 km. Cross the bridge, keeping left, and travel 0.4 km to a concealed entrance to the Pumphouse. There are 25 prepared pegs to the right of the Pumphouse.

Tokn Grass Match Stretch
From the signpost for Rhode / Rochfortbridge on the Tullamore Road, travel to the Rhode / Toberdaly / Tokn Grass junction. Turn left and travel 5.3 km to a T-junction. Turn left and travel 1.6 km to Trimblestown Bridge. Take a left before the bridge for the Tokn Grass Match Stretch (see map 2) where there are 7 parking lay-bys on the grass towpath.

Morrissey's Match Stretch
Turn right immediately after Trimblestown Bridge for Morrissey's Match Stretch (see map 2). There is parking along the full length of this towpath.

Cokery Lane Match Stretch
Turn left at the T-junction, 1.6 km from Trimblestown Bridge. From here to Cartland Bridge is also 1.6 km. Turn right immediately after Cartland Bridge for the Cokery Lane Match Stretch (see map 2). The grass towpath offers good parking.

George's Bridge Stretch
Travel 0.5 km from Edenderry town on the Tullamore road (R402) to George's Bridge, where the main road crosses the Grand Canal. Before crossing the bridge turn right onto the hardcore towpath. George's Bridge Match Stretch (see map 2) extends westward along the canal from here.

Breach Match Stretch
Take the Rathangan road from Edenderry and travel 1.6 km to the Aqueduct. Take a sharp left immediately after the Aqueduct. On meeting the canal take a left turn onto the Breach Match Stretch (see map 2).

Dora Junior Match Stretch
Instead of turning left to the Breach Match Stretch, turn right and you are on the Dora Junior Match Stretch (see map 2).

Pender's Wood Match Stretch
From the Dora Junior Match Stretch follow the drivable grass towpath all the way to Pender's Wood Match Stretch (see map 2).

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

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

Lock Keeper
William McCormack, Main Line, Grand Canal: Lock 20
Tel: +353 (0)87 2456537

Edenderry ADC Coarse Angling Club
Pauric Kelly, Chairman.
48 Murphy Street, Edenderry, Co. Offaly.
Tel: +353 (01)46 9732071 / +353 (0)86 3503117

Tourist Information
East Coast & Midlands Tourism
Dublin Road, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
Tel: +353 (0)44 48650, Fax: +353 (0)44 40413
Email: info@ecoast-midlandtourism.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.

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