River Mulcair (Mulkear)

River Mulcair (Mulkear) Guide

The River Mulcair rises in the Slieve Felim Mountain, close to Cappamore. The river flows south for a couple of miles before swinging up to the North West, past the Dromkeen, Abington, Ballyclough and Anncotty, to join up with the River Shannon about a mile or so upstream of the University of Limerick. The famous Castleconnell fishery on the Shannon is only 2 miles upstream form the confluence.

An aerial view of the River Mulcair.

This is a pretty big spate river with lots of nice streamy water intermingled with long and deep holding pools. Together with the Newport River, its main tributary, there is just over 20 miles of fishing. The River can go up and down very quickly with medium to heavy rainfall.

The Mulcair gets a few spring fish but its reputation is as a first class Grilse fishery. The springers run from mid March until May, with the best fishing being at the end of April. The Grilse run starts around the end of May and runs right through until season's end on September the 30th. The best Grilse fishing is from mid June until the end of July, and it can be prolific during this period.

Fishing the River Mulcair just before dusk.

Some of the best early season stretches are below Annacotty weir, at Lanes Weir (below Annacotty bridge), and at Ballyclough. As the Grilse season gets up and running the best areas are, Long Field, Boher, Brittas and Dromkeen.

Annacotty weir on the Mulcair.

The Newport River (known as the Slievenohera River up to the confluence with the River Annagh), also gets a good run of Grilse and the fishing is generally good anywhere between Barringtons Bridge (the R506 crossing) and the Annagh Bridge, a distance of 3 miles and more.

It's worth noting that you cannot fish within the 50 yards downstream of the Mull Weir at Ballyclough (near the N7) and from the 31st of May between New Road Bridge at Annacotty (also on the N7), 50 yards above Annacotty Weir

The Mulcair in a spate.

The River Mulcair also holds Brown Trout, and while relative small, they are certainly plentiful. The main spot is just downstream of Annacotty Bridge, and on the Newport River between Bunkey and Ballymackeogh.

River Mulcair (Mulkear) Tributaries

River Annagh (Clare)
River Bilboa
River Dead
River Newport
River Slievenohera

River Mulcair (Mulkear) Neighbouring Rivers

River Bunratty
River Camogue
River Kilmastulla
River Maigue
River Neenagh
River Shannon

Fishing the River Mulcair (Mulkear)

River Mulcair (Mulkear) Season

Salmon - 1st March - 30th September
Brown Trout - 1st March - 30th September

River Mulcair (Mulkear) Methods

Fly Fishing
Spinning
Worming

River Mulcair (Mulkear) Fishing Authority

To fish in Ireland you need a rod license from the appropriate fishing authority. You can find the details for the River Mulcair (Mulkear) at:

Shannon Fisheries Management

River Mulcair (Mulkear) Permits

As well as a rod license, you'll need a permit to fish the River Mulcair (Mulkear). You can get permits from any of the following distributors:

ESB Fisheries Office Hydro Station
Ardnacrusha
Tel: +353 (0)61 345589

ESB Shop
Bishops Quay
Annacotty
Tel: +353 (0)61 45599

Jim Robinson
St Bridget's
Farranshone
Tel: +353 (0)61 453808

Mr Michael Murtagh (ESB Fisheries Officer)
O'Briens Bridge
Email: gerard.gough@mail.ESB.ie
Tel: +353 (0)61 377289

Richard Keays
Millbank House
Murroe
Email: info@millbankhouse.com
Tel: +353 (0)61 386115
Millbank House & Angling Centre

River Mulcair (Mulkear) Clubs

No River Mulcair (Mulkear) clubs listed.

River Mulcair (Mulkear) Ratings

River Mulcair (Mulkear) Fishing Conditions

River Mulcair (Mulkear) Status

Bag Limits

There is an angling bag limit of 10 salmon (any size) or sea trout (over 40 cm) on rivers where you may catch and retain salmon (see individual rivers for status). The bag limits are subject to any quota allocated to a river and its tributaries.

Subject to the maximum annual bag limit of ten fish, an angler may take:

- a season bag limit of 3 fish in the period 1 Jan to 11 May
- a daily bag limit of 3 fish from 12 May to 31 August
- and a daily bag limit of 1 fish from 1 September to the end of the season.
- anglers fishing with a one day licence have a bag limit of one fish (only one tag is issued)
- The Bye-law also provides for the use of single hooks and prohibits the use of worms as bait once the specified number of fish have been caught in the specified periods
- Please note that no sea trout of any size caught in the Western Region or the Clew Bay area of the North Western Region can be retained.

After the daily bag limit has been taken, anglers are permitted to fish catch and release, using single barbless hooks and there is a ban on the use of worms.

Local Restrictions

Some rivers impose their own local restrictions so when you are going to buy your permit for the River Mulcair (Mulkear), please check with the distributor.