Boat charters in Ireland and Shannon River cruises are a stunning way to chill, have fun and experience Mother Nature at her very best. Take centuries-old monastic settlements, lush landscapes, dramatic scenery and delightful small villages with a big heart - and you have all the ingredients for a perfect boating holiday.
High-tech locks and hundreds of moorings make cruising very easy.
To cruise there you may need to buy a smart card to operate the locks (approx.13€ for 20 units). Locks and bridges are also charged at approx.1,50€
Fishing licence and dinghies are available at our marinas
The River Shannon and surrounding network of peaceful loughs are an angler’s paradise - so make sure you hire a dinghy to reach the best bits! On land, it is a rambler’s heaven too, as national parklands, historic ruins and grand houses in abundance are there to be explored.
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Carrick-on-Shannon, the gateway to both the north and south Shannon cruising region, is a major boating centre and thriving town. Its old-fashioned narrow streets, diversity of shops and traditional Irish nightlife make this a perfect place to start your holiday. Don’t forget to visit Ireland’s smallest church - the Costello Chapel is only 18m2 in size!
The County of Cavan, it is said, has 365 lakes, one for every day of the year and Belturbet is perfectly placed to cruise just some of this myriad of waterways. Belturbet is also well served by bars and restaurants, while golf, walking tours and fishing are popular activities that are well catered for. Further north, Upper Lough Erne offers clear waters and impressive - almost mountainous - scenery, dotted with many islands, coves and inlets.
From peaceful Portumna, enjoy the delights of Lough Derg, one of Ireland’s finest lakes. Easy access to Lough Ree and the entire Shannon waterway is also possible. Portumna’s broad streets and majestic parades of shops and houses are an obvious reminder of the town’s Georgian past.
But wherever you cruise, you can be sure to enjoy Ireland’s renowned reputation for hospitality everywhere you go, from friendly lock-keepers to outgoing publicans and from helpful shop-owners to awardwinning restaurateurs, we’re certain you’ll enjoy ‘the craic’ in Ireland! |
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The
Rivers Shannon and Erne and
surrounding lakes are an angler’s
paradise, well-stocked with
salmon, pike, bream, tench
and perch
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High-tech
locks and hundreds of moorings
makes cruising very easy
-
Traditional
Irish pubs and lively celtic
music welcome you ashore
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Majestic
scenery around the Upper and
Lower Lough Erne – where
steep cliffs rise from the
shimmering waters
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Portumna’s
National Park and 17th Century
Castle for walking and sightseeing
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Championship
golf courses close to the waterways
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Ancient
religious sites – visit
Clonmacnoise near Shannonbridge
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Small
towns, restaurants and bars
at Lough Derg, the largest
of the lakes to visit
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From
Carrick-on-Shannon, the hub
of the waterways, explore the
beautiful scenery around Lough
Key
Take
centuries-old monastic settlements,
lush landscapes, dramatic scenery
and delightful small villages
with a big heart - and you have
all the ingredients for a perfect
cruising holiday. No wonder cruising
the River Shannon with Emerald
Star is such a popular holiday
option in Ireland
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| WEEK BREAKS - Suggested
Cruises in Ireland |
Visit
Jamestown before enjoying cruising on
the wider river beyond Lanesborough
into pretty Lough Ree
with its diverse
wildlife and inspiring scenery. Play
golf at Glasson or Hodson Bay before
reaching Athlone,
the commercial centre
of the Midlands and the culinary capital
of the inland waterways. View Cruise Map |
Duration:One Week
Cruise Type:Return Trip
Distance: 200 km
Locks:8
Cruise Time:32 hrs
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Belturbet
- Belleek - Belturbet
The Fermanagh Lakelands offers Upper
Lough Erne with its mass of reed-covered
islands to explore and Enniskillen as its hub. Lower Lough Erne is one of Europe’s
least crowded waterways and Tully Castle, Boa Island and Castle Caldwell are
just some of the attractions before reaching the home of the world famous Belleek
Pottery. View Cruise Map |
Duration: one week
Cruise Type: Return Trip
Distance: 130 km
Locks: 0
Cruise Time: 22 hrs
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Portumna
- Killaloe - Portumna
Lough Derg is one of Ireland’s finest lakes and a haven for fishermen.
It is renowned as a place of pilgrimage and surrounded by diverse cultural, social
and sporting opportunities. Visit Portumna’s newly restored 17th century
castle and walk in the beautiful National Park before cruising south to charming
Terryglass and onwards to the watersport haven of Dromineer. View Cruise Map |
Duration: one week
Cruise Type: Return Trip
Distance: 64 km
Locks: 0
Cruise Time: 12 hrs
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| Further on lies Garrykennedy, Mountshannon and Scarriff. In between is Holy Island (or Iniscealtra), evoking memories of early Irish Christianity. Killaloe, site of the restored 13th century St.Flannan’s Cathedral and surrounded by the legends of ancient kings, hermits and heroes, has a 13-arched bridge and a modern marina that’s popular with boat-users.
This cruise can also be done as a 3-4 day short break – just reduce the time spent visiting the area according to your preferences. |
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Belturbet
- Carrick-on-Shannon (or vice versa)
Use the modernised Shannon-Erne Waterway
to join the Shannon at Leitrim and
take a trip into Lough Allen where
Drumshanbo is a must for fishing
enthusiasts. The
islandstudded Lough Key is the jewel among Roscommon’s lakes and its forest
park is an outstanding feature in a region rich in natural attractions. View Cruise Map |
Duration: One week
Cruise Type: One Way
Distance: 75 km
Locks: 16
Cruise Time: 16 hrs |
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Carrick-on-Shannon
- Portumna (or vice versa)
Visit Portumna’s impressive
castle set in beautiful surroundings
overlooking Lough Derg and Portumna
Forest Park. Enjoy local hospitality
en route in Lanesborough,
Athlone and Shannonbridge and visit the ancient monastic site at Clonmacnoise. View Cruise Map |
Duration: One Week
Cruise Type: One Way
Distance: 160 km
Locks: 5
Cruise Time: 66 hrs |
| SHORT BREAKS - Suggested Cruises in Ireland |
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Carrick-on-Shannon > Lanesborough > Carrick-on-Shannon
A 3 - 4 night cruise on the river Shannon to discover the dramatic natural beauty of the Emerald Isle. Enjoy a pint of Guinness to the sound of traditional Celtic Music and visit the beautiful villages of Roosky, Tarmonbarry or Lanesborough. View Cruise Map |
Duration: 3 Nights
Cruise Type: Return Trip
Distance: 104 km
Locks: 6
Cruise Time: 10 hrs |
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Belturbet > Enniskillen > Belturbet
Discover the crystal clear lakes and rivers of the north of Ireland. The Upper Lough Erne is a real angler's paradise. You will find here dramatic scenery and green landscapes and expect a warm welcome from the locals! View Cruise Map |
Duration: 3 Nights
Cruise Type: Return Trip
Distance: 70 km
Locks: 0
Cruise Time: 9 hrs |
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Portumna > Killaloe > Portumna
Start your short break cruise from Portumna and follow the river Lough Derg to the South to Killaloe. A perfect cruise for fishermen! Take time also to visit rural villages and the small waterside towns of Mountshannon and Scarriff. View Cruise Map |
Duration: 3 Nights
Cruise Type: Return Trip
Distance: 106 km
Locks: 0
Cruise Time: 12 hrs |
| LONGER BREAKS - Suggested Cruises in Ireland |
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Portumna <=> Belturbet
Cruise from Portumna to Belturbet along the length of the Shannon and its lakes. Go as far south as Killaloe and north to Belleek and enjoy all the natural, cultural, sporting and social attractions of the Shannon in between. View Cruise Map |
Duration: 10 Nights
Cruise Type: One Way
Distance: 235 km
Locks: 21
Cruise Time: 30 hrs |
