Paddling near Abbeyleix, Co. Laois

Abbeyleix sits in County Laois in Ireland's Midlands, within reach of some of the country's most paddled inland waterways. The River Barrow — one of Ireland's great canoe routes — runs roughly 23 km away, while the River Suir lies about 31 km distant. Laois Kayak and Canoe Club, based at the Old Bridge in Durrow, is the county's main hub for kayaking and canoeing, covering everything from flatwater touring to whitewater river-running and canoe polo.