About KACC
Based in Kilkenny city, on the banks of the River Nore, Kilkenny Aqua Canoe Club (KACC) is one of the Ireland’s largest paddling clubs. The club was originally founded by Darryl & Maria Audoire, Dave Power, Jim Fitzpatrick, Paul Gray and Liam Brennan in 1998. Our members participate both recreationally and competitively in a variety of water sports including kayaking, canoeing, freestyle play boating, dragon boating, canoe polo and stand-up paddle-boarding. We welcome paddlers young and old and are family focused encouraging young people and adults to paddle, learn and enjoy the fun of canoeing together.
Since 2015 we've been based at the Council pumping depot on Canal Walk, Dukesmeadow and its been a catalyst for great developments. Thanks to huge efforts by members the club can offer ample boat and equipment storage along with hot showers, toilets and changing facilities. We have a number of nearby weirs and we have just erected floating canoe polo goals (on generous loan from Paddlefest). More recently we've been able to set up indoor training equipment on site.
Qualified instructors in the club include Billy Phelan, Shane Henderson, Stephen Happie, Roger McClure, Darryl Audoire, James O’Connor, Patrick Melanophy, Irene Stokes, Catherine Mahon, Myra Walsh and Alex McClure. We also have many active lever 2 trainee instructors. We employ instructors to assist in the ongoing development of members skills as safe canoeing is vital.
The club and our members are part of Canoeing Ireland and operate within its rules. Club members benefit from Canoeing Ireland member to member insurance and have access to the many canoe disciplines events organised through the Union. Membership of a canoe club is very advisable for all people who paddle even if they do not want to partake in club activities.