Salmon Weir Tour with IFI as part of Ballina Salmon Festival (11am)

Inland Fisheries Ireland will offer you the oppportunity to participate in a series of intimate public guided tours that will provide participants the rare opportunity to experience first-hand the Ballina Salmon Weir.

These two tours are extra special, taking place during Ballina Salmon Festival 60th Anniversary week.

The Moy Fishery in Ballina is probably one of the most productive salmon fisheries in western Europe, where historical catches of over 5,000 salmon have been recorded in a single season. Its entire length, of just over 2½ km, is located within the Ballina town boundaries.

Originally thought to have been built in the 16th Century, the Ballina Salmon Weir is situated on the lower end of the River Moy and has remained functional since that time.

It is a protected structure and was newly refurbished in 2011 going on to win the National Tidy Towns Heritage Award from the Heritage Council. The new-look weir features hydraulic gates, cranes and a series of fish counters which replaced the old fishing traps enabling free passage of salmon upriver while also providing valuable data on salmon stocks and fish numbers to IFI.

Tour One at 11am

Tour Two at 2pm

Limited Space available.

The tour will commence in Ballina Arts Centre where the inland Fisheries team will share some information about their roles and about the fascinating history of the weir, and information on the fish counters and hydraulics.

This will be followed by a health and safety briefing and fitting of lifejackets before proceeding on to the weir for an unforgettable experience.

Tour participants must wear personal protective equipment and audio earphones, which will be provided.

Participants must be over 1.4m in height and must be 12 years of age or older.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Ballina Arts Centre, Barrett Street, Ballina, Ireland