Athlone, Portumna & Clonmacnoise by boat

Our base at Banagher in County Offaly is ideally placed to explore this Lower Shannon area during your boating holidays in Ireland, including Lough Derg, the largest lake on the Irish waterway system. Lough Derg is famous for the idyllic little towns and villages that fringe its shores with small harbours with plenty of moorings. This is the place to go to “get away from it all” and to experience the peacefulness, the beautiful dramatic scenery and really good cruising waters. From Banagher, you can easily reach the monastic site Clonmacnoise as well as Portumna with its Renaissance castle.

When starting your Irish boating trip, there are a number of different things to consider before setting out, and one of the most important is which route you are going to take. With a Riverly base in the town of Banagher, hiring your canal boat here is a great option. This area of the lower Shannon River connects both to the southern towns of County Galway and County Clare.

The actual town of Banagher itself is well worth a little exploration before you set off on your adventure. Although it first seems like just another humble Irish town, Banagher is home to an array of different historical sites that are worth a visit. Top of these historic attractions is the riverside castle known as Cromwell’s Castle, a castle that has been added over the centuries and now reflects the form it took during the early 19th century.

Another of the town’s famous landmarks is Cuba Court. Built in the 1730s by the famous Irish architect Edward Lovett Pearce, Cuba Court is thought to have been the home of former Cuba governor George Frazer. English novelist and poet Charlotte Brontë also has a connection to the house, having honeymooned in Cuba Court.

Where you head after getting your boat in Banagher all depends on the route you are planning to take. By taking the Grand Canal in Ireland, holidaymakers can travel on an easterly route towards the Irish capital of Dublin. With your Shannon boat hire in Banagher, you can simply travel from the river and connect to the Grand Canal within a few short miles. The first destination you will arrive at by taking this route is the town of Shannonbridge, with its spectacular 16 arch bridge. Moving easterly from the River Shannon and into the Grand Canal, your journey will take your boat first to the town of Tullamore. With the Grand Canal cutting directly through the town, boaters are immediately immersed by this quaint County Offaly settlement. This small yet famous town is well worth an exploration. With Tullamore’s whiskey-making history taking a forefront in the town’s heritage, a stop off at the Tullamore Dew Visitor Centre is a must when visiting. As the centre sits on the banks of the Grand Canal, pulling up alongside the centre is simple and easy. The Grand Canal then makes its way towards Dublin, however Tullamore is the navigation limit for your hire boat.

Taking the southerly route from Banagher will take you a few short miles down the river to the town of Portumna. With the journey taking very little time, Banagher to Portumna by boat is a popular route. The riverside town is a hub for boating fanatics, making a Portumna boat trip one of the most rewarding. The town itself has a multitude of attractions, including Portumna Castle and Portumna Forest Park. Being so close to the huge expanse of Lough Derg, Shannon cruises in Portumna start off in incredible style.

Rent a boat in Banagher, and you can begin a southerly Shannon River journey that can take you through Portumna, into Lough Derg as far south as Killaloe. As you wind down the south Shannon River and finally exit Lough Derg, you will arrive at one of the last small towns on the route, Killaloe. A Killaloe boat cruise is a destination that is unforgettable. More like a large village, Killaloe boat rentals can outnumber the locals at the settlement’s riverbank marina. This unassuming village is home to a welcoming local population that epitomises Irish hospitality. The River Shannon continues as far as Limerick, but this is the limit of navigation for your boat rental on the Lower Shannon.

As well as boating southern and eastern routes, the Shannon River can also take you north, opening up a route of endless attractions and landmarks. Banagher to Athlone by boat is some of the most scenic waterways in all of Ireland and also some of the most rewarding. Starting in Banagher, your Athlone boat trip will wind north and come to the famous site of Clonmacnoise. Clonmacnoise is the site of a 6th-century monastery and, as a result, is one of the most significant Christian historic sites in all of northern Europe. An Athlone Clonmacnoise boat trip is a fantastic way to see this iconic site and as it stands along the banks of Shannon River, getting here is a simple journey. No Clonmacnoise boat trip would be complete without getting out and exploring this famous monastic site.

Take your time to see the many sights here, including the Clonmacnoise Cathedral, Clonmacnoise castle and more. Heading northwards will take you gently on course to reach the town of Athlone, it is also possible to travel the opposite way, from Athlone to Clonmacnoise by boat.

The town of Athlone sits at the base of the beautiful Lough Ree, an idyllic body of water that defines great Irish canal holidays. Making a stop at the town of Athlone for its own sake is a must, and with its very own riverside docking area, Athlone boat hire is also popular. Standing near the geographical centre of the country, Athlone is known throughout Ireland and it is easy to see why. After you have enjoyed an Athlone boat cruise, why not stop off at the town’s oldest drinking spot, Sean’s Bar – not only is it the oldest in Athlone, but the oldest in Ireland and arguably Europe.

Carrying on from Athlone and Lough Ree, your boating holiday will continue north and follow the Shannon across the county border, passing from County Roscommon and into County Leitrim. Just as you pass into County Leitrim, you will arrive at the charming riverside town of Carrick-on-Shannon. As one of Riverly’s Irish bases, you can opt for Carrick-on-Shannon boat hire directly from this town. Carrick-on-Shannon is the largest town in County Leitrim and the smallest county town in the entire country. This being said, the quiet charm is balanced perfectly with the energy and is increased by the major river crossing that standing west of the town.

Moving on from Carrick-on-Shannon, your barge’s way will open up in the famous Lough Key, known throughout Ireland as the home of Lough Key Forest Park. This park is an idyllic green space full of history and nature. Home to miles of hiking trails and the breathtaking Moylurg Tower. This tower building was constructed during the 1970s and on the site of the old Rockingham house.