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Overnight Camp on Coney Island

This 2 day/1 night circular itinerary journeys along the southern shore of Lough Neagh starting and finishing at Kinnego Marina with an overnight camp on Coney Island.

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Points of Interest

 Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Coney Island

Itinerary

This itinerary has been compiled using an estimated paddling speed of 2.5 miles (4 kilometres) per hour and also allowing time for lunch breaks and many photo opportunities along the way.  Please check forecast and in particular wind strength and direction before departing.

Lough Neagh can become rough in strong winds and the southern is particularly exposed in strong northerly winds.  It is recommended to bring rafting poles for this section of the journey. 

Day 1 Kinnego Marina (GR J059 613) to Coney Island (GR H937 640) 8.75 miles (14kms)

Kinnego Marina offers excellent access to Lough Neagh, good parking, slipway launching and a sheltered bay to ease you into the larger Lough.  For those wishing to make an early start, the serviced campsite is right beside the lough.

Make your way out of the sheltered bay, the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre is on the left hand side and well worth a short visit. 

From there continue along the southern shore. After 3 miles (4.7kms) you will reach Emerson’s Quay (GR J013 634) which offers the perfect stop for a packed lunch and some bird spotting.

A further 5 miles (8kms) will bring you to your campsite on Coney Island.  Exercise caution near the mouth of the Upper Bann (GR H937 640) as, after heavy rain, debris (branches etc) can be washed into the lough.

Coney Island is beautifully maintained by the National Trust offering a well manicured rough camp site and BBQ area just beside the canoe steps. Coney Island’s achilles heel is the Lough Neagh fly which, although harmless, can be highly annoying during calm weather around late April / early May. To camp on Coney Island please telephone Kinnego Marina +44 (0)28 3832 7573 or Coney Island Warden (0788 7827230) – a small fee is charged.

Day 2 Coney Island (GR H937 640) to Kinnego Marina (GR J059 613) 8.75 miles (14kms)

Retrace your journey back to Kinnego Marina 

Getting to the Start

Directions from Belfast
Take the M1 westbound turning off at junction 10 then follow signs to Oxford Island.

Directions from Dublin
Follow the M1 northbound to Newry then the A1 to Banbridge, turn onto the A26 to Lurgan, then follow signs to the M1, take the second exit and follow signs to Oxford Island.

Shuttle
No shuttle required