gowiththeflow.ie

Go With The Flow offers three multi-day products on the River Barrow: a two-day self-guided canoe hire from Goresbridge to St. Mullins (from €95 per person), a three-day self-guided hire from Leighlinbridge to St. Mullins (from €129 per person), and a three-day package combining two nights of luxury glamping at Base Glamp with a river adventure (from €329 per person). All are self-guided, suitable for ages 12+, require no prior experience, and include all equipment. The prices above are the "from" rates shown on the operator's site; confirm the final quote, group size limits and what happens in bad weather when booking.

The multi-day canoe hire routes

These are self-guided trips: you paddle at your own pace, and the operator supplies the canoe and equipment. The site states that all equipment is supplied and no experience is needed.

The three-day route is the longer of the two, starting further upstream at Leighlinbridge and finishing at the same endpoint, St. Mullins. The site describes three days on the Barrow as "a deep dive into tranquility." Both trips end at St. Mullins, so plan your return transport from there.

What to plan for

• One-way routes. Both trips finish at St. Mullins, not where you start. Arrange a lift or shuttle back to your car before you set off.
• Daily distance. The three-day trip covers more ground than the two-day one, so expect longer paddling days or an extra night on the river.
• Fitness and age. The minimum age is 12 for both. The site does not publish daily distances, so ask the operator how many hours of paddling each day involves if you are unsure about stamina.
• Gear. Equipment is supplied, but the site does not list exactly what is included (for example, dry bags or barrels). Confirm this when booking so you know what to bring.

The glamping and river adventure package

The "Two Nights Luxury Glamping at Base Glamp & River Adventure" runs for three days from €329 per person. It pairs two nights in a cabin at Base Glamp with time on the River Barrow. The site describes the cabin as Base Glamp's "new sleeping experience cabin."

The page does not specify which river activity is included in this package, how long the paddling portion lasts, or whether meals are provided. Treat the €329 as a starting rate and ask the operator directly about:

• the exact river activity and its duration
• whether the cabin sleeps a group or is priced per person sharing
• check-in and check-out times relative to the paddle

How these compare with shorter options

If a multi-day trip is more than you want, the same operator runs shorter experiences that use the same river and equipment setup:

• Valley of the Monks – half or full day self-guided canoe hire, 3 or 6 hours, from €35 per person, ages 7+
• The Kilkenny Trail – one-day hire from Goresbridge to Graiguenamanagh, 5–6 hours, from €55 per person, ages 12+
• The Tranquility Trail – guided flat-water experience, 3 hours, from €65 per person, ages 16+
• Spills & Thrills – guided white-water experience, 2 hours, from €39 per person, ages 7+
• Corporate Days Out – team-building kayak adventure, 2.5–3 hours, from €65 per person

The multi-day hires are the best fit if you want to cover a long stretch of the Barrow and set your own schedule. The one-day Kilkenny Trail is the closest shorter alternative, using the same Goresbridge starting point as the two-day trip.

Choosing between the packages

• Pick the two-day hire if you want a weekend on the water with one overnight and a shorter overall route.
• Pick the three-day hire if you want the fullest river journey and don't mind a longer commitment; it starts further upstream and gives you more time on the water.
• Pick the glamping package if comfortable accommodation matters as much as paddling, and you'd rather have your nights arranged for you. It costs considerably more per person than the bare hire trips, so the premium buys the cabin stay rather than extra river time.

For all three, book ahead and confirm the practical details — return transport from St. Mullins, what equipment is provided, and the cancellation policy for poor weather — since the site's listings give prices and durations but not these terms.

No. Go With The Flow states that no experience is needed, and all equipment is supplied. The real deciding factors are age and whether you pick a guided trip or self-guided hire: guided options suit nervous beginners and families, while self-guided hire assumes you can manage a canoe on your own at your own pace.

What the operator says about experience and equipment

The site describes Go With The Flow as a small family business operating since 1996 on the River Barrow, with "exceptionally beautiful river trails," equipment included, and no experience required. That applies across the advertised experiences — you are not expected to bring your own gear or hold a paddling qualification.

Age limits decide more than experience does

Age minimums vary by trip, so check the specific experience rather than assuming one rule for the whole business:

The pattern is worth noting: the gentlest family entry point (Valley of the Monks, age 7+) is self-guided, while the guided flat-water Tranquility Trail starts at 16+. If you have young children and no experience, the guided white-water Spills & Thrills at 7+ is the option that pairs a low age limit with a guide.

Guided versus self-guided: which fits a beginner

Choose guided if you want reassurance, local history and someone reading the river for you. A testimonial on the site describes a stag group with mixed abilities in kayaks and open canoes, with guide Charlie and his dog keeping them entertained with information about the area and reassuring those nervous about the "bumpier parts of the river." That is a useful picture of what guidance adds on moving water.

Choose self-guided hire if you want to set your own pace and escape crowds — the site frames Valley of the Monks that way. The trade-off is that you are responsible for navigating and pacing the trip yourself, so it suits people comfortable in a boat even without formal experience.

Practical points before booking

• Multi-day hires (two and three days) are unguided and cover longer stretches of the Barrow, so they demand more confidence than a three-hour outing.
• White water is the one place where "no experience needed" deserves a second thought — the guided format and the guide's reassurance are what make it accessible, so book it guided rather than attempting equivalent water independently.
• Prices above are "from" rates per person as listed on the site; confirm the final cost and what the hire includes when booking.
• Glamping package combines two nights in a cabin at Base Glamp with a river adventure — relevant if you are travelling and want the trip bundled.

In short: experience is not the barrier; age and the guided/self-guided choice are. Match the trip to the youngest paddler in your group and decide how much support you want on the water.

Go With The Flow offers guided and self-guided canoe and kayak experiences on the River Barrow, ranging from a 2-hour white water session at €39 per person to a 3-day glamping and river package at €329 per person. All listed experiences supply equipment, require no previous experience, and are suitable for children aged 7 and up, though the minimum age varies by tour. Use the table below to match an experience to your group's age, time, and budget.

At a Glance: Experiences, Ages, and Starting Prices

Prices are "from" rates per person as listed on the site; confirm the final price for your group size and date when booking.

Guided Experiences

Spills & Thrills – Guided White Water

A 2-hour guided white water adventure on the River Barrow, open to ages 7+ from €39 per person. This is the shortest and lowest-priced entry point, and the guided format suits families with young children or anyone who wants an instructor along for the livelier sections.

The Tranquility Trail – Guided Flat Water

A 3-hour guided flat water experience from €65 per person, minimum age 16. Choose this if you want a calmer pace and a guide's commentary, and your group is all teenagers or adults.

Corporate Days Out

A 2.5–3 hour guided team-building kayak session from €65 per person, positioned by the company as a team performance activity. The site does not state a minimum age for this option, so ask when enquiring.

Self-Guided Hire Trails

Valley of the Monks – Half or Full Day

Self-guided canoe hire for 3 or 6 hours from €35 per person, suitable for ages 7+. The site describes it as the option for escaping crowds and setting your own pace, which makes it the most flexible choice for families with younger children who want to stop when they like.

The Kilkenny Trail – One Day (Goresbridge to Graiguenamanagh)

A 5–6 hour one-way canoe trail from €55 per person, ages 12+. The site calls this stretch probably the most beautiful, fun, and interesting canoe trail on the Barrow — a good fit for a full day out with older children.

Multi-Day Hires

• Two Day Hire – Goresbridge to St. Mullins: 2 days from €95 per person, ages 12+.
• Three Day Hire – Leighlinbridge to St. Mullins: 3 days from €129 per person, ages 12+.

These are for groups comfortable committing to consecutive days on the water; the three-day version covers the longest stretch and is described as a deep dive into tranquility.

Package Option

Two Nights Luxury Glamping at Base Glamp & River Adventure

A 3-day package from €329 per person combining two nights in a cabin at Base Glamp with a river adventure. This is the only listed option that includes accommodation, so it suits visitors planning a short break rather than a single activity.

How to Choose

• Youngest children (7+): Spills & Thrills (guided, 2 hrs) or Valley of the Monks (self-guided, 3 or 6 hrs).
• All-adult group wanting a guide: The Tranquility Trail.
• Full day, self-paced: The Kilkenny Trail.
• Multi-day paddling trip: the 2- or 3-day hires.
• Work group: Corporate Days Out.
• Weekend away with accommodation: the glamping package.

Every experience includes equipment and requires no experience, so the deciding factors are age minimums, duration, whether you want a guide, and budget. The company has operated as a small family business since 1996, and testimonials describe guides sharing local history along the way — useful if you are weighing guided versus self-guided.

Go With The Flow (gowiththeflow.ie) is a small family-run canoe and kayak operator on the River Barrow in Ireland, running since 1996. It offers guided and self-guided canoe and kayak tours, canoe hire, corporate team days, and a glamping-and-paddling package. No experience is needed, all equipment is supplied, and some trips suit children aged 7 and up.

Who it suits

The set-up fits people who want a low-friction day on the water rather than a technical paddling course. Because equipment is provided and no experience is required, beginners and mixed-ability groups are the core audience. Families should check the minimum age per trip, since it varies by route and difficulty.

The main experiences

The site groups its offering into canoe hire, canoe holidays, corporate and team days, and guided trips. The headline options:

Prices and ages are as listed on the site and can change, so confirm at booking.

How to choose

• First time, want guidance: the guided flat-water Tranquility Trail or the white-water Spills & Thrills. Note the age gap — 16+ versus 7+.
• Want to set your own pace: Valley of the Monks self-guided hire, the shortest and cheapest entry point.
• A full day out: the Kilkenny Trail between Goresbridge and Graiguenamanagh, described on the site as probably the most beautiful and interesting stretch.
• A multi-day escape: the two- or three-day hires ending at St. Mullins, or the glamping package if you want accommodation included.
• A group or workplace outing: the corporate day, built around team-building on the water.

What to expect on the day

Book ahead and check the meeting point for your chosen route, since the trails start at different villages along the Barrow. Bring a change of clothes and footwear you don't mind getting wet; everything else is supplied. A reviewer describing a stag party noted a mix of kayaks and open canoes that worked for different ability levels, a guide who shared local history, and reassurance for nervous paddlers on the bumpier sections — useful if your group has mixed confidence.

Practical checks before booking

Confirm the minimum age for your specific trip, the cancellation terms, and whether transport back to your starting point is included on point-to-point routes like Goresbridge to Graiguenamanagh. The site lists prices per person but does not state payment methods or login requirements, so settle those details directly when you book.

Go With The Flow offers three main routes for groups: a structured corporate/team-building kayak day (2.5–3 hours, from €65 per person), featured group tours drawn from its standard guided and hire experiences, and bespoke private tours arranged on request. All equipment is supplied and no experience is needed, so mixed-ability groups can book without splitting up. The right choice depends on whether your group wants a facilitated team session, a ready-made river trail, or a custom itinerary.

Corporate and Team-Building Days

The dedicated corporate option is a 2.5 to 3 hour kayak session priced from €65 per person, positioned as a team-building activity on the River Barrow. This is the most structured group product: a defined duration, a per-person rate, and a team-performance framing rather than a leisure tour.

It suits companies that want a single half-day block with a clear start and finish. If your group is larger or wants a different format, the bespoke private tour route below is the alternative.

Featured Group Tours

Groups can also book the standard experiences as a group outing. These are the published options, with the minimum age and per-person starting price shown on the site:

Two things matter when choosing for a group. First, the age floor: the 7+ options (Spills & Thrills, Valley of the Monks) are the only ones open to younger children, while the multi-day trails start at 12+ and the Tranquility Trail at 16+. Second, guided versus self-guided: guided options put a leader on the water, which is the safer fit for groups with nervous or first-time paddlers; self-guided hire lets the group set its own pace but expects the group to manage itself.

For a stag, hen, or mixed-ability group, the shorter guided experiences are the most direct match. A testimonial on the site describes a stag party where the group was split between kayaks and open canoes to suit a mix of abilities, with a guide providing local history and reassurance for those uneasy about the rougher sections of the river. That split-by-ability approach is worth requesting when you enquire.

Bespoke Private Tours

The site lists bespoke private tours as a separate category alongside featured group tours, which is the route for anything that doesn't fit the published products: unusual group sizes, combined activities, or a custom schedule. Details are arranged directly rather than published as a fixed package, so treat the listed prices as a starting reference only for the standard products, not as a quote for a private itinerary.

How to Enquire or Book

1. Pick a format — corporate session, a published tour, or bespoke private.
2. Check the age floor against the youngest person in your group; this alone rules options in or out.
3. Decide guided or self-guided based on experience levels in the group.
4. Contact Go With The Flow through the website to confirm availability, group size limits, and a final price for your date. The site's booking links sit on the individual experience pages and the glamping package.
5. Flag group composition — mixed abilities, nervous paddlers, or a stag/hen occasion — so the team can assign kayaks versus open canoes and the right guide.

Expect to confirm the price at enquiry: the figures above are "from" rates per person, and the site does not publish group discounts, deposit terms, or minimum group sizes.