Overview
A thatched raft moored below the bridge in Sixmilebridge is home to a resident flock of ducks – the ‘Duck Inn’ is the O’Garney River’s most photographed feature, and a fair emblem of a small Clare town that has always lived off its river.
The O’Garney (also called the Owenogarney, Owengarney or Ratty River) runs through the centre of Sixmilebridge in south-east County Clare, roughly midway between Limerick and Ennis and about 10 km north-east of Shannon Airport. The tide reaches up to Ballintlea, and the town’s three squares and central green grew around the crossing and the mills the river once turned. The walk itself is short and flat; the interest is in what the river built.
History and heritage
The 1610 stone bridge
Donough O’Brien, 4th Earl of Thomond, built the stone bridge in 1610, and for almost two centuries it was the main crossing between Limerick and Ennis – the town’s name comes from its distance, roughly six Irish miles from Limerick. A toll gate was added in 1784 to help pay for the new Rosmanagher Bridge.
Settlement, market and milling
The Earl encouraged English, French and Dutch settlers, and a market charter followed in 1618. From the 1630s the town became a manufacturing centre – tanning, oil-seed processing and yarn mills among the trades – exporting to Britain and Europe. The river’s tidal reach let boats come up to Ballintlea to load finished goods.
Decline
The opening of Rosmanagher Bridge in 1784 and Bunratty Bridge in 1804 gradually pulled traffic away. The stone bridge, the surviving quay walls and the remnants of mill wheels are what’s left of that trade.
The railway
Sixmilebridge station opened in 1856 and, though freight and cattle services are long gone, it remains an active passenger stop on the Limerick–Ennis–Galway line.
What to see and do
- The 1610 stone bridge and riverside walk – cross the bridge and follow the paved path downstream to the old quay walls. Look for the stone mill-wheel barrier at Annagore and the foundations of the former soap factory.
- The Duck Inn – a highly decorated thatched raft moored on the O’Garney, a winter home for a large flock of ducks. Glass-panelled walls let you watch the birds nest, hatch and go about their day. Locally collected duck eggs are occasionally sold at the nearby market.
- The Miller’s Return sculpture – beside the bridge stands a limestone figure of a miller wading through the water, put up in 2004 to mark the town’s milling and manufacturing past.
- Quay walls – remnants of the riverside loading area give a tangible sense of how goods once moved along the water before road transport took over.
- The library – housed in a former Church of Ireland building a short walk from the river, with local history displays and a quiet place to rest.
- Pubs – after the walk, drop into one of the town’s long-standing pubs, such as the Old House Bar (dating to around 1775), for local fare and the odd trad session.
Walking and outdoor activities
River walk and bridge
The paved promenade follows the bank from the bridge downstream to the quay walls. It’s flat, largely wheelchair-accessible, and takes about 20–30 minutes at a leisurely pace. Look for old mill-wheel remnants and the occasional moored craft.
12 O’Clock Hills waymarked trails
About 7 km north-east of Sixmilebridge, the 12 O’Clock Hills network offers three colour-coded loops (red, blue, purple) through lakes, bogland and woodland, passing near mid-15th-century Ballycullen Castle, with open views across the Clare countryside. Suitable for walkers of moderate fitness.
Walton Lodge pitch-and-putt
About 5 km from the river, Walton Lodge has an 18-hole pitch-and-putt course set in parkland – a relaxed way to extend a visit.
The Bunratty stretch
Downstream, the O’Garney winds through Bunratty before emptying into the Shannon Estuary – the reason four successive castles were built there to watch the river mouth, each set to overlook ships coming up from the sea. Walk the bank below the current 15th-century castle and its position makes plain sense: anything moving upstream is in full view.
Where the fresh water meets the tide, reclaimed salt-marshes have gone semi-wild, drawing wading birds such as curlew and redshank. A paved route runs along the Bunratty Castle walls to the walled garden of Bunratty House, which looks south across the marshes towards the estuary. There is no charge to walk the river paths.
Flooding and the river
Locally there is ongoing concern about flooding on the Sixmilebridge stretch, put down to a lack of dredging – the last major clearance was around fifteen years ago. It is part of why the historic stone bridge, rather than a newer crossing, still carries much of the town’s foot traffic.
Practical information
- Access and admission – the river, bridge and promenade are freely accessible with no charge or formal opening hours.
- Parking – short-stay parking is available on Bridge Street and at the town’s central car park, both a few minutes’ walk from the bridge. Spaces fill quickly at weekends and on market days, so arrive early.
- Public transport – Sixmilebridge station runs regular passenger services to Limerick, Ennis and Galway. Shannon International Airport is about a 15-minute drive via the N18.
- Accessibility – the main promenade and bridge approach are flat and suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Some older quay-wall sections are uneven stone, so stick to the paved path.
- Tidal awareness – the river is tidal as far as Ballintlea; water levels shift with the tides, but the main walk and bridge stay safe and accessible year-round.
- Facilities – public toilets are near the central car park and the Old House Bar. There is no dedicated visitor centre for the river.
- Nearby heritage – Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and the ancient woodland at Cratloe are a short drive away, and Clare Abbey near Ennis adds more medieval context.
Plan your visit for late afternoon to catch the light on the limestone bridge and watch the ducks settle into the inn before evening. The nearby pubs typically begin their sessions around 8pm, making it easy to pair a riverside stroll with a proper local wind-down.