A West Cork spate river draining the uplands above Bantry Bay, running south through Kealkil to enter the Bantry estuary east of Bantry town. Old Red Sandstone geology gives the water a peaty, amber character that clears quickly after rain. Sea trout and grilse run from June on high water. Not a large river by Irish standards, but genuine migratory fish use it, and the brown trout in the upper reaches are wild and willing on the dry fly through spring. Local club access. The Bantry Bay setting — mountains, sea inlets, southwest light — makes this worth visiting even on a quiet day. For 2026 this is a catch-and-release fishery under the Wild Salmon & Sea Trout Tagging Scheme — all salmon and grilse must be returned.
EPA freshwater monitoring on the River Coomhola confirms mayflies, stoneflies, caddis, aquatic diptera and freshwater shrimp are present in the riverbed community. The records establish food presence rather than emergence timing or a dependable rise.
- Old red sandstone