Suggested cruising options Carrick-on-Shannon*

Follow in the footsteps of the Celts

Dromod: industrial heritage of Ireland

Dromod Port, now entirely dedicated to boating and waterways activities (available at the Shannon River Adventure Centre), was once a busy commercial port through which convoys of Guinness and other goods passed. Dromod's activity was focused around its railway line which connected it to Leitrim and the coal mines of Arigna. You can experience a steam train journey at the Railway Museum, where collectables from both World Wars are also on display. Also, relax by the Weeping Tree fountain, carved from a single piece of oak, and found in the city centre.

Lanesborough: a small village at the gates of Lough Ree

Heading back towards Carrick-on-Shannon, moor your Nicols canal boat at Lanesborough Marina. After this village, you leave Lough Ree and resume navigation on the River Shannon. Take advantage of the stopover to stretch your legs in the small village and take a trip to the local distillery (Lough Ree Distillery) to taste its whiskey and restock your boat in the grocery store.

Lough Ree: hikes and islands for adventure

At a vast 105km², Lough Ree is especially popular with fishermen, but also offers a large number of other activities to be enjoyed such as Liliput Way hiking trail, holy well of Saint Faithleach, Rathcline castle and cemetery with its Celtic crosses. However, the island of Inchcleraun wins the title of the most popular tourist attraction of the lake with its 6th century monastery classified as a “national monument” by the Republic of Ireland. The island appears in a Celtic legend according to which Medb, warrior queen of the province of Connacht, was murdered there by a man armed with a slingshot... and a piece of cheese!

Athlone: a dynamic city on the banks of the Shannon

Life is in full swing in Athlone, the largest town on the banks of the River Shannon. In Athlone, shopping lovers will be happy! There is also something here for the whole family… don't miss a visit to the castle, which will take you back 800 years via several exhibitions and fun experiences. Then go admire the stained glass windows of the church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Finally, your boating holiday in Ireland wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Sean's Bar - holder of the title of being the oldest pub in Ireland!

Clonmacnoise: 1,500 years of history

Located along the River Shannon, Clonmacnoise is a place not to be missed during your boating holiday. Also called the Seven Churches, this monastery was founded in 544 and quickly became one of Ireland's most famous religious sites. Wander among the ruins and try to identify all the buildings, try to decipher the tombstones and observe the detail of the Celtic crosses. Don't miss the door of murmurs, where fishermen could confess during the epidemic of yellow plague without risk of contamination. Try and test its acoustics by whispering while stood at the level of the door to the right and listen as the sound goes up along the arch to the ear of a listener over on the left side!

Banagher : dancing along the Irish wind pipes and violins

Banagher may be relatively small, but it's still very much alive: sip a pint of local beer at the Railway Bar or the JJ Houghs Singing Pub, while listening to traditional music, and learn to toast in Gaelic (“Sláinte”). As you walk through Banagher, cross the stone bridge and pass in front of the Martello Tower, built in the 19th century to protect the city from a possible French invasion.
Your one-way boating holiday comes to an end. Meet at Banagher Marina to return your canal boat there.