Ardrum Lock

Ardrum is only about 1.2 km below Ballinamore marina, an easy first lock for crews setting off from the town in the morning. The Ballinamore looped trail for walkers and cyclists crosses the canal here, so on fine days you may have an audience at the lock side. The Blueway paddling guide rates the 1.25 km of canalised river from the town as a beginners’ stretch. From Ardrum the waterway winds on for about 3 km through quiet farmland to Aghoo Lock, the last before Garadice Lough. As everywhere on the line, the lock is worked from its console with one Smart Card unit during the published hours.