Mulcair River

The Mulcair is a spate river that rises in the Glens Co Tipperary and follows a south-easterly route where it enters the River Shannon two miles downstream of Annacotty village, on the main Limerick – Dublin road. It has one main tributary the Newport River which is also an important salmon and trout angling water. It’s confluence with the Shannon is about two miles downstream of Castleconnell.

Salmon fishing

The fishery is primarily a grilse or summer salmon river but does enjoy a small run of spring salmon. Fish enter the system in March and the lower stretches are best for the early spring run, March and April. Noted stretches are below Annacotty weir and also below Annacotty bridge at Lanes Weir, and upstream of Annacotty at Ballyclough.

As the season progresses anglers will concentrate on the upper stretches of the river as salmon and grilse disperse throughout the system. In the summer the main run of grilse commences in May and will peak in June and sometimes into early July.

Trout fishing

Another feature of the Mulcair and its tributaries is the trout fishing. On the main river trout from 25 cms to 35 cms are frequently caught. There is a very good stock of small brown trout on the upper stretches up to the Bilboa River, Cappaghmore (fish to 28 cms).