Celtic Legends

Life is bustling in Athlone, the largest town on the banks of the River Shannon. Shopping enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy here. For the whole family, a visit to the castle is a must,travel back 800 years through interactive exhibits and engaging displays. Then, admire the stained-glass windows of Saints Peter and Paul Church. And no river cruise in Ireland would be complete without a stop at Sean’s Bar, officially recognized as the oldest pub in Ireland.

Covering 105 km², Lough Ree is primarily loved by anglers but also offers diverse activities: hiking the Liliput Way trail, visiting the sacred well of Saint Faithleach, and exploring the castle and cemetery at Rathcline with Celtic crosses. The most visited attraction, Inchcleraun Island, is home to a 6th-century monastery designated a National Monument by Ireland. Legend has it that Queen Medb was killed here,by a slingshot… and a piece of cheese.

As you head north toward Carrick-on-Shannon, moor your boat at the marina in Lanesborough. After this village, you’ll leave Lough Ree behind and rejoin the Shannon. It’s a great place for a walk, a whisky tasting at the Lough Ree Distillery, or a quick grocery stop before cruising on.

Now a leisure port, Dromod was once a commercial hub for Guinness shipments and a railway town. Visit the Railway Museum for steam engine rides and WWI/WWII memorabilia. Relax at the town’s unique Weeping Tree fountain carved from a single oak trunk.

Explore this charming riverside town with its Thursday market, clock tower, and the Costello Chapel,Europe’s smallest chapel at just 17m². If you’re cruising in early June, don’t miss the Carrick Carnival: nighttime parades, concerts, street performers, vintage cars and fireworks. Your one-way river journey ends here,return your boat at Carrick’s marina.