Sailing Experience at Cullaun Sailing Club - Kilkishen

Lough Cullaunyheeda is not a lake most visitors would stumble across, which is exactly what makes an afternoon on it so good. Cullaun Sailing Club has been running on this quiet stretch of east Clare water since 1979, and their sailing taster sessions - organised in partnership with Clare Sports Partnership - are a low-pressure way to find out whether the sport suits you. The session runs for 90 minutes and costs just €10, making it one of the more affordable ways to get out on the water in Ireland. It suits adults and anyone from 12 upwards who has always been curious about sailing but has never had the right moment to try.

What to expect

The session takes place on Lough Cullaunyheeda itself - a 1.5-mile freshwater lake that the club describes as an ideal and safe sailing location. That is a fair assessment: it is sheltered enough that beginners can find their feet without being overwhelmed, but open enough to give you a real sense of how a dinghy handles the wind. The club is an Irish Sailing accredited training centre, so the instructors are ISA-qualified and know how to bring nervous first-timers along at a manageable pace. Expect to go out on the water in a club dinghy, get a basic introduction to how the boat works, and have a go at the tiller under supervision. No experience is needed and none is assumed. The session runs from 1:00pm to 2:30pm - enough time to get comfortable and come away knowing whether you want more.

Getting there

Kilkishen is a small village on the R462 in east Clare, roughly 20km east of Ennis and about 25km from Limerick city. From Ennis, take the N18 south then pick up the R462 east through Newmarket-on-Fergus. From Limerick, the R463 to Cratloe and then the R462 west is the most direct route. The sailing club is signposted from the village and sits about two miles outside it on the lakeshore. There is parking at the club. Public transport to Kilkishen itself is limited, so a car or a lift is the practical option for most people.

While you’re in Kilkishen

East Clare is one of the quieter corners of the county, good for those who want to get off the main tourist trail. The village is a short drive from the Lough Derg shoreline and the broader east Clare lake district. There is more to see in Kilkishen and across Co. Clare.

Good to know

• Date: Sunday 17 August 2026, 1:00pm to 2:30pm
• Cost: €10 per person
• Minimum age: 12 years
• No experience required
• Book via: Clare Sports Partnership at claresports.ie
• Venue: Cullaun Sailing Club, Kilkishen, Co. Clare (Eircode V95 HH6A)
• The clubhouse has accessible toilets and changing facilities