A Partnership with Inland Fisheries Ireland 

The Moy Fishery is probably one of the most productive salmon fisheries in western Europe, where historical catches of over 5,000 salmon have been recorded in a single season. Its entire length, of just over 2½ km, is located within the Ballina town boundaries.

Originally thought to have been built in the 16th Century, the Ballina Salmon Weir is situated on the lower end of the River Moy and has remained functional since that time.

It is a protected structure and was newly refurbished in 2011 going on to win the National Tidy Towns Heritage Award from the Heritage Council.  The new-look weir features hydraulic gates, cranes and a series of fish counters which replaced the old fishing traps enabling free passage of salmon upriver while also providing valuable data on salmon stocks and fish numbers to IFI.

For the first time in Ballina, Inland Fisheries Ireland will offer a series of public guided tours that will provide participants the rare opportunity to experience first-hand the Ballina Salmon Weir.  Tours will feature a Health & Safety induction tour of the salmon weir structure and weir building, insight into the history of the Moy Fishery and salmon weir and a familiarisation of the fish counters and hydraulics.

Tour participants must wear personal protective equipment, which will be provided, be over 1.4m in height and be 12 years of age or older.

Booking will be available early 2023.