The Owenmore River (Irish: An Abhainn Mhór) rises near the town of Gurteen in the south of County Sligo, close to Lough Gara, and runs approximately 52.3 kilometres northward before joining the Unshin River near Collooney to form the Ballisodare River. Its catchment covers 655 square kilometres, underlain predominantly by limestone, and encompasses around 1,470 hectares of lakes, with Lough Arrow comprising the largest portion. The river passes through Templehouse Lake along its course.

For paddlers, the Owenmore offers a Grade 1 run — slow-moving, predictable current with a gentle gradient throughout. The typical paddling route starts near Templehouse Lake and continues downstream toward Collooney. This character makes it well suited to beginners and those introducing younger paddlers to moving water. The primary hazard to watch for is fallen trees and overhanging branches in the river channel, particularly after periods of wet weather. A dry bag and whistle are sensible precautions, and sections can be portaged without difficulty if needed.

Access is via the R293 road from Gurteen, following the road toward the Templehouse area. A small, unstaffed car park is located near Templehouse Lake, available free of charge to paddlers, anglers, and walkers. The car park is modest in size and can fill on dry weekends, so arriving before midday is advisable. The ground around the car park and along the riverbank can be soft and uneven, making waterproof footwear a practical consideration.

The river corridor supports populations of bream, perch, pike, rudd, and brown trout, with coarse fishing particularly productive around the old Templehouse bridge where the current slows and deepens. The overhanging willows and riparian vegetation along the banks contribute to the enclosed, sheltered feel of the paddling corridor. No fishing permit is required for the Templehouse section, which may mean sharing the water with bank anglers, particularly during early morning and late evening hours when fishing activity tends to be highest.