Limestone · South / Limerick

Mulkear

Mulkear terrain map
Terrain map

Ireland's premier limestone brown trout river, the Mulkear drains the Slieveardagh hills and flows into the River Suir near Limerick.

Species

Decent — worth a look

Low and clear — careful approach country. Low water tactics — small singles, riffling hitch in the smooth glides.

50% confidence in this read
Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Cool — slow
8°C est.ideal 10–14°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for atlantic salmon
  • Temperature6330% weight
  • Flow4525% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time1015% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
8.4°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
8°C
Wind
W 18 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1010 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.1 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
20.8 mm
Moderate rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for atlantic salmon
When
Morning into early afternoon.
Where
Pool tails, steadier runs, and any water with pace.
Method
Fish a sensible line-and-fly combination for the height and pace of water.
Kit
13 ft #8/9 double-hander in spate, 10 ft #8 single in low water. Floating line plus a fast-sink tip. 12–15 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Fair conditions. Clarity is favourable (95), Feeding time is weakest (10).
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • IFI rod licence (RoI)
  • Dry-fly trout season 15 May–12 October
  • **2026 conservation: salmon catch-and-release ONLY
  • Single barbless hooks required for all species
  • Worms, prawn, and shrimp prohibited.** Fly-only stretch between Ballyclough Weir and Brownes Weir; fixed-spool reels and bubble floats prohibited on this section
  • Beats managed; day tickets €25–€50 depending on season
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

Ireland's premier limestone brown trout river, the Mulkear drains the Slieveardagh hills and flows into the River Suir near Limerick. A classic limestone river — clear, technical, and rich with insect life. The Mulkear is justly famous for its resident wild brown trout (average 12–14 oz, specimens to 2 lb+) and exceptional dry-fly fishing. Spring salmon from February; sea trout June–September. The river is gin-clear in summer — sight-fishing and fine-tippet nymphing the standard approach. Managed beats; day tickets available. Comparable in standard to the Nore and Barrow.

  • Limestone
Seasons & zones
  • Trout15 March → 12 October
Other water nearby · 4