A cruise on the Shannon River with Le Boat is among the most original methods to discover Eire taking you thru the center of the nation and its lengthy historical past. If you select an Irish River cruise, you might have the possibility to self-drive alongside Eire’s historic freeway to historic ruins and well-known castles. Every city alongside the River Shannon welcomes bargers with open arms and ice-cold pints of Guinness as proficient musicians entertain the group with full of life conventional music.
Cruising the Shannon would be the objective, however getting off the boat to expertise Irish hospitality is what creates reminiscences to final a lifetime. If you’re planning a cruise on the Shannon, we’re going to provide you with all the data you’ll want to take advantage of your journey. Proper now, Le Boat is providing early reserving financial savings of 10% till November 30 for the 2023 season. Take a look at all their locations in Europe and Canada. See particulars right here.
Cruising on the Shannon
This was our fourth Le Boat River Cruise. We had simply completed cruising the Canal du Midi in France and made two different journeys on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Canada the summer season earlier than. We had been wanting ahead to cruising the River Shannon because it appeared just like a Rideau Canal cruise with extra open water and lakes than the lengthy and slender Canal du Midi. Eire has a particular place in our journey hearts and we had been going to go to locations in Eire that we hadn’t seen earlier than.
- Examine different Le Boat River Cruise experiences:
Concerning the Shannon River
The Shannon River is the longest river in Eire spanning 360 km by way of the center of the nation. It begins in Shannon Pot in County Cavan within the north of Eire and ends in County Limerick on the Shannon Estuary.
Our Shannon River Cruise Route
Throughout our 8-day Shannon River Cruise, we traveled from Carrick on Shannon from the Le Boat workplace. (Emerald Star in Eire) to Portumna the place Le Boat has one other workplace. Boats are all parked of their marina with full energy and amenities.
In Eire, Le Boat is called Emerald Star. Emerald Star has been Eire’s Quantity One boating vacation supplier and has been working on the Rivers Shannon for almost 50 years so I can perceive why they didn’t need to lose their title!
What to Anticipate on a Cruise on the River Shannon
Carrick on Shannon to Portumna (or visa versa) is among the hottest routes for Shannon River Barge Cruisers. It’s a 160 km journey that takes you thru 5 locks and below 2 bridges. To journey 160 km on a Le Boat houseboat, the journey takes roughly 20 hours of cruising time. Boats are restricted to 10km per hour, so if you end up Shannon Cruising, you’re sitting again to chill out. As you’ll be able to see from the map, we lined a number of Eire.
We had been shocked with simply what number of Irish had been cruising the Shannon River on both their very own boats or with boat leases. It positively reminded us a number of the Rideau Canal in Canada in that sense. When cruising that canal, we noticed many unbiased boaters benefit from the UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
We flew into Dublin the place our shuttle from Kearns Coaches picked us as much as take us to the Le Boat Headquarters at Carrick on Shannon. We requested our driver if we might cease at a grocery retailer to select up provides and he was blissful to have a brief break whereas we purchased meals and drinks for our week on the River Shannon.
Carrick on Shannon is a metropolis the place we might have purchased all our provides, so the cease wasn’t wanted, however it was good to have the ability to load meals into the van and offload it straight on the dock.
Do you Want Boating Expertise to Cruise the Shannon River?
You don’t want boating expertise to cruise the Shannon with Le Boat. A Le Boat consultant will stroll you thru the whole lot you want on the boat after which take you out for a brief lesson. All boats have a most velocity restrict of 10 km per hour and there are many bumpers on the boat. Plus, boats have thrusters that you’ll discover ways to use in your orientation and so they make driving simple.
Our information walked us by way of the heating and air con and all the controls that we’d be utilizing through the subsequent seven days. And he’ll take you out on a take a look at drive to point out you the best way to use the thrusters and controls. By the point he left the boat, we felt assured to start out navigating our manner alongside the Shannon River.
Day 1 – Carrick on Shannon
We spent the evening at Carrick on Shannon and immediately fell in love with this city. There are many issues to do in Carrick on Shannon that you could possibly spend 2 nights within the city.
Carrick on Shannon is a full of life metropolis crammed with pubs which are packed to the hilt. We came upon that it’s a standard Stag and Hen celebration vacation spot within the UK and marriage ceremony events had flown in from throughout Britain to have a good time.
It was simple to discover a pub the place we launched my brother Jim to a correct pint of Guinness. Earlier than Eire, he vowed that he wouldn’t develop into a fan of Guinness as a result of he doesn’t like darkish beer, however we quickly made a “Guinness Lover” out of him. We spent the evening bar hopping and listening to proficient Irish bands earlier than strolling again to our boat that was positioned proper downtown within the Le Boat Marina.
One to not miss vacation spot within the coronary heart of downtown Carrick on Shannon is Costello Memorial Chapel. It’s mentioned to be the second smallest chapel on the earth and was made by Edward Costello who devoted it to his spouse who died in 1877. Each their tombs are on show below glass inside.
Day 2 – Carrick on Shannon to Tarmonbarry
We had loads of time every day to get to our subsequent vacation spot on the Shanon River, so every morning we made breakfast on the boat and loved a leisurely tempo earlier than setting off for Tarmonbarry.
Le Boats have full kitchens and so they provide you with pots and pans, dishes, and cutlery. By ordering the picnic starter equipment, we additionally had salt and pepper, olive oil and tin foil. All we would have liked to buy on the grocery retailer was the meals and snacks we needed for the week forward.
Lunch at Dromod
En route, we stopped on the pretty riverside village of Dromod. Dromod is a picturesque city that could be a excellent cease for lunch. We docked on the harbor that has been used for greater than 150 years for barges carrying Guinness and utilizing it as a stopover. There are a few eating places and pubs with a notable steakhouse.
You’ll be able to stroll out to the railway museum and may take a brief experience on the still-operating steam prepare. Exterior you’ll see basic vehicles, an previous bus, an airplane, and a submarine. Contained in the museum, there are weapons on show from WWII.
Should you aren’t going to cook dinner lunch on the boat, we advise stopping for lunch on the Brandywell Bar Restaurant and Lodge to strive some Guinness Pie or you’ll be able to fill up on some groceries at Kinneden Organics to buy some natural fruit and greens. Cox’s Steakhouse is one other standard restaurant and if you’re staying the evening, make certain to guide a desk prematurely for dinner.
In a single day in Tarmonbarry
After a few hours at Dromod, we made our option to Tarmonbarry the place we spent the evening on this full of life city. We had been advised that we’d must name the bridge keeper to get below the bridge, however as he was driving by, he yelled over to us, saying we’d make it. Simply go gradual! Solely in Eire eh?
We adopted his recommendation and slowly crossed below the bridge ducking our heads as we handed. We had been in Tarmonbarry with loads of hours to spare earlier than sundown.
It was then on the bikes that we rented from Le Boat looking for the Abbey that was constructed by Saint Barrech, (Barry) within the Sixth Century. It was an extended bike experience than anticipated, however after biking by way of farmland, hills, and the Irish Countryside, we lastly discovered the Abbey that homes his stone boat.
Legend has it that Saint Barry carried out a miracle when he wanted to cross the River Shannon to are likely to a sick comrade. With no boat in sight, we turned a large boulder right into a watercraft to cross the river. We noticed mentioned boulder in all its glory at Whitehall Church simply north of City.
This can be a nice city to hang around in for the night with loads of pubs and eating places. We listened to dwell music at Keenans and loved a pint outside at The Shannon Bar and Backyard.
Day 3 – Tarmonbarry to Lanesborough
After an evening of a number of pints of Guinness, we slept like infants within the quiet marina. This marina is positioned on a biking and strolling path and makes for a superb place to stretch your legs within the morning.
It was then off to Lanesborough simply in time for lunch.
Make sure that to cease on this city as there are a few very good historic church buildings to discover. There’s a distillery on the town and nice locations for espresso. It was throughout this journey that Jim and Janice discovered that Dave and I really like a superb cup of espresso as we set out every day to discover a scrumptious espresso store. We at all times discovered what we would have liked!
Lanesborough to Athlone
We parked our boat by the bridge throughout the Shannon River from Lanesborough. It’s right here which you could discover the dual cities of Lanesborough and Ballyleague. Sling Shot Gin is distilled proper on this city and you may cease in for a style and to buy an Irish memento.
Don’t miss visiting St. John’s church which dates all the way in which again to the start of the Christian custom in Eire through the fifth Century. Lanesborough is a superb place to get pleasure from lunch and to stretch your legs earlier than transferring on to your cease for the evening, Athlone.
In a single day in Athlone
Athlone is the biggest metropolis in your Shannon River Cruise and we advise spending two nights right here should you can. I’d somewhat do day journeys out to Lanesborough and Loch Ree through the day and use Athlone as a base for 2 nights. Loch Ree is so standard to discover that there are Viking ships that take vacationers out to discover its Viking historical past and all of its monasteries dotting the shore.
Day 4 – Athlone
Athlone is house to the world’s oldest pub and we parked our boat straight in entrance of this historic landmark. The pub is positioned straight on the Shannon River and Le Boat has prime docking areas proper within the heart of city. Whether it is full, you may also park on the marina slightly bit earlier than city, however we suggest attending to Athlone early to get a spot at this prime location. We had been inside strolling distance from in all places. And had a thousand-dollar-a-night view from our prime location.
There are such a lot of issues to do in Athlone, that it is among the high vacationer locations in Eire. It’s a well-liked cease for tour buses touring between Dublin and Galway and for good cause.
Wander by way of its Medieval Streets to peruse its retailers, eating places, and cafes. And ensure to go to Athlone Fort which dominates the waterfront. Our boat was only a few brief steps away from this historic landmark relationship again to 1210. You’ll be able to take guided excursions by way of the citadel grounds.
Sean’s Bar – World’s Oldest Pub
The World’s Oldest Pub was positively a spotlight. The Guinness Guide of World Data says that it’s Europe’s oldest pub, however the proof exhibits that it’s really The World’s Oldest repeatedly working pub. They’ve the paperwork to show it. Sean’s Bar dates again to 500 AD and it was throughout renovations within the Nineteen Seventies that they discovered thousand-year-old cash and the unique construction fabricated from Wattle and Wicker.
This city was made much more well-known when Michael Jackson stopped in to drop some huge cash within the Bastion Gallery. Athlone actually is a gem of a Shannon River Cruise and plenty of Shannoriver cruisers use this as a base and easily do day excursions from right here.
Day 5 – Athlone to Shannonbridge
At this time is a phenomenal day so make certain to depart shiny and early to take your time at some of the extraordinary stops on the Shannon River. At this time you go to the spectacular Clonmacnoise. This cease is an historic metropolis that showcases a Sixth-century monastic settlement.
We left Athlone as quickly because the locks opened to make it to Clonmacnoise earlier than the crowds. Regardless that you’ll be able to dock your boat right here on the Shannon River, bus excursions frequent this marvel of Eire. So you can be sharing it with overland vacationers.
Clonmacnoise
Clonmacnoise is a monastic settlement from the Sixth century. Pulling as much as the dock is unbelievable unto itself. The very first thing that comes into view is the excessive fort overlooking the Shannon River. As you stroll up the trail in direction of the doorway, the crosses and church buildings become visible and you understand you’re in for one thing particular.
Plan to spend two hours having fun with Clonmacnoise. Your go to begins with a 15-minute movie explaining the historical past of the monastery adopted by a guided tour. The guided tour gives perception into the crosses and grounds, and is nice to participate in however it is usually good to stay round after the group leaves (And earlier than the following one arrives).
Throughout that point, you might have time to benefit from the grounds by yourself. There are greater than 700 early Christian gravestones, excessive towers, and unbelievable stone crosses.
Contained in the museum is incredible as properly. Make sure that to maintain an eye fixed out for The North Cross, which seems just like the cross on the Guide of Kells. Learn extra: 34 of the Finest Issues to do in Dublin, Eire
Since this website is among the early Christian settlements, Clonmacnoise is a well-liked non secular pilgrimage, and Pope John Paul II gave mass right here in 1979.
In a single day at Shannonbridge
Tonight is the evening we docked at Shannonbridge which is one other spotlight of a Shannon River Cruise. Like so many locations that we docked throughout our Le Boat journey on the Shannon, we parked proper downtown and will stroll in all places. Actually, we had been as soon as once more in entrance of a well-known Eire pub! Luker’s Bar Shannonbridge is house to one of many best-preserved pubs in all of Eire. Luker’s Bar is so well-known that it’s on the Irish Bar Calendar that includes well-known bars within the nation.
We had been fortunate as a result of John, the proprietor was serving that evening and he took us on a tour into his genuine pub that has barely modified for the reason that 1750s. There’s the final remaining Victoria Regina Hearth in all the British Isles, previous picket tables the place you’ll be able to nearly odor the scent of an 18th-century celebration and memorabilia from a bygone period.
Chances are you’ll need to spend all of your time within the pub when docking your boats on the River Shannon, however make certain to enterprise out to discover extra of Shannonbridge. The bridge itself is a phenomenal arched construction that was accomplished within the 1700s. There’s a spectacular previous fort positioned proper on the River Shannon the place you’ll be able to seize a espresso and discover the martello towers.
The fort was constructed to safe the Shannon River from an invasion by Napoleon and there are a lot issues to see. If you’re on the lookout for dwell music, Killeen’s Bar has music on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from Could to October.
It could be a small city, however you’ll be able to handle to go pub hopping in Shannonbridge. That’s simply the way in which issues are in Eire.
Day 6 – Banagher
Banagher is a beautiful subsequent cease on the River Shannon cruise the place you’ll be staying in a big marina. This marina has showers, laundry, and close by meals vans within the excessive season. It’s a really brief stroll to city to get pleasure from loads of pubs and eating places. Make sure that to go to the River Shannon Brewery to take a break from Guinness and check out their artisan craft beers the Martello Tower and Crank Purple Ale.
It was on this city that we loved considered one of our favourite dinners on the River Shannon. Sadly, I utterly forgot its title, however should you stroll right into a again alleyway not far into city, you’ll come out to a picturesque courtyard. Dave and I discovered it whereas on the lookout for a espresso store and so they had scrumptious cappuccinos. Whereas sipping our espresso, we made a reservation for that evening.
This pretty restaurant is a brand new addition to the city with incredible meals and a beautiful environment. On the time of writing they didn’t have their liquor license but, however they allowed us to carry our personal wine.
One of many extra distinctive issues to do in Banagher is to hop in for a swim within the River Shannon on the Banagher Swimming pool which is positioned proper within the waters of the river.
Day 7 – Portumna Fort
Our last drive alongside the Shannon River earlier than our final night was a phenomenal journey by way of Lough Derg to Portumna. We advise passing Portumna and making your option to the marina in entrance of Portumna Fort. It’s by way of the bridge and you’ll have to time it based on your timetable that you just’ll obtain from Le Boat, however belief me, it would be best to keep in entrance of the citadel.
Portumna Fort is a gem of Eire and each King James I and Queen Elizabeth I visited this gorgeous citadel. You’ll be able to take a tour of the citadel grounds and inside there’s a cafe providing recent espresso and meals that may be visited free of charge. Fortunately we had our bike leases and loved a pleasant experience by way of the picturesque Portumna Forest Park.
There are many pubs, eating places and purchasing on the town and as is the case with all the cities and villages on the Shannon River, an attention-grabbing church and a few previous ruins.
The Abbey Ruins positioned between the citadel and city might be simply explored throughout your stroll and are utterly free to enter. They had been a spotlight of the various issues to see on the River Shannon.
Day 8 – Ultimate Night time Portumna Dock
It was a 9 am take a look at the following day, so we left Portumna Fort within the afternoon to make the ultimate bridge crossing again to the Le Boat dock in Portumna. This dock is an remoted place to ensure to have what you want for the evening. You’ll be able to order meals and have it delivered for a flat price from city. The Le Boat workers had been good sufficient to make a name for us and we ordered Italian meals for our last evening on the River Shannon.
We spent the evening stress-free and packing as much as be off the boat and prepared for our shuttle again to Dublin shiny and early.
Our Le Boat journey had come to an finish, however the reminiscences created will final a lifetime.
A few Shannon River Cruise
Our route took us from Carrick on Shannon to Portumna. It was an 8-day cruise and we spent about 3 hours every day on the Water.
- Our journey spanned 160 km / 5 locks / 2 Bridges / 20 hours of cruising
- Locks are open Monday – Saturday 09:00am -8 pm and Sundays 10:00am-6:00pm
- When renting a Le Boat, the whole lot is included. They offer you good playing cards if must function the locks. More often than not they aren’t wanted, however I’ve learn that they’re required on the Shannon Erne.
- Life Jackets have to be worn on the locks.
- That is the proper journey for newcomers as no expertise is required. The times are stress-free and also you’ll glide into every city early sufficient to discover and luxuriate in.
Be ready for Irish climate, it could possibly flip right away and we skilled a number of rain. We needed to drive from beneath most days, however we had the warmth on and the snacks flowing as we took within the leisurely tempo of exploring the Shannon.
The beauty of visiting Eire is that if the climate is unhealthy, the pubs are open with pleasant and welcoming folks ready to heat you up with a pleasant pint of Guinness by the fireplace.
