Boating holidays in Ireland

Continuing on your Ireland barge cruise, you have another choice to make: whether to travel north or south. You can make this decision when passing through the town of Carrick on Shannon. Home to a well-established canalside marina, you can even begin your Shannon River adventure with a Carrick on Shannon boat rental. Carrick on Shannon boat hire also allows you to venture south into Ireland’s interior or north as far as the UK. Travelling from this point north will take you through some of the country’s most idyllic and picturesque waterways. When boating in Ireland, you will first arrive at the breathtaking Lough Drumharlow. This lough is renowned for being a heartland of Irish wildlife and a diverse fish population.

Moving on a little further downriver, the water again expands into the two-thousand-acre Lough Key. Lough Key is a fantastic place to stop off an immerse yourself in the surrounding landscape. It is peppered with an array of different islands, some uninhabited and others settled. As these have been occupied for hundreds of years, there is even an island that is home to a folly castle, built on the now perfectly named Castle Island.

Located just south of the lough is the 800-hectare Lough Key Forest Park, a stunning naturally forested area. This forest is a fantastic area in which to stop and simply enjoy the beautiful views of the woodlands and the water. Home to a visitors centre, numerous hiking trails and a tree canopy walk, there is plenty to do at this stop along the river.

Following the River Shannon in a more northerly route, boaters can take a small diversion and will eventually come to Lough Allen. This lough is nestled alone between two mountain ranges, the Slieve Anierin mountain range to the east and the Arigna Hills to the west. This unique location makes Lough Allen a great place for wind sports such as windsurfing – a great alternative to canal boating if the mood takes you. One of the largest lakes in the area, the small diversion to Lough Allen is a diversion that makes canal barge holidays in Ireland worth it.

Not only is Lough Allen, a hidden paradise of water, but it is also the location of the Lough Allen Adventure Centre. This centre is the perfect place in which to enjoy kayaking, canoeing and all other types of waterside activities. The lakeside town of Drumshanbo also makes a fantastic attraction for those boating through the lake. This well-preserved Irish town is a great place to tour traditional Irish pubs and restaurants.

One of the most fantastic and inclusive things about canal holidays in Ireland is the ability to cross from one country to the next. Travelling on the Shannon River, your route will inevitably bleed from the Shannon River and into the River Erne, creating the Shannon-Erne Waterway canal. As your boat holidays take you from the Republic of Ireland to the UK’s Northern Ireland, you can cross borders of both countries and counties, from County Cavin to County Fermanagh. Navigating your canal boat rental through Ireland is even easier when boating down the narrow routes of the Shannon–Erne Waterway.

As your boat crosses these county and state boundaries, a series of locks known as the Shannon Erne waterway locks, will create a little barrier. Although there are multiple locks, even the most inexperienced boaters will not struggle here. One of the first sites you will come to is Lower Lough Erne. Connected to a larger lake system, there is both a lower and upper Lough Erne, making it one of the largest lake systems in Ireland. There is also a Locaboat base here, meaning you can begin many great canal journeys through Ireland from this very spot. Along with the idyllic nature of the loughs, Lough Erne has built up a reputation for water sports, with the World Waterski Championships being held here every year. Timing your barge trips through Ireland with this competition will add something unique to your boating holiday.

Taking the River Shannon south, you will eventually cross the county border into County Offaly and in taking this route, you are soaking yourself even more so into the countryside of Ireland. After a few miles of travel, holidaymakers will eventually come to the quiet riverside town of Banagher. Taking your canal boats this far south is a fantastic way to see lots of the country in one trip, yet you can also start your barge rental in Ireland from here. Even though the town of Banagher is relatively small, the Locaboat site on the river makes starting journeys here easy.

Alongside the quaintness and practicality of the town. Banagher is a great little place to get out and explore. Standing at an important crossing of the River Shannon for centuries, the town of Banagher has its fair share of history and culture to match. One of the town’s most popular attractions is Fort Eliza, a 19th-century fort constructed for defence during the Napoleonic Wars. The great location of the fort means it can be viewed from the comfort of the boat or on foot, with either option providing a different experience of the fort itself.

Taking your boat past the shores of Banagher and Fort Eliza you will plough through Irish waters and finally come to the Lower Shannon. This area of the river route is far less travelled, yet still just appealing when it comes to its landscapes and waters. Boating your way down the County Galway/County Tipperary county borders means you will eventually arrive at Lough Derg, one of the top three largest loughs in all of Ireland. Along with exploring its sheer size, Lough Derg is also home to an array of wildlife, including a pair of the rarely seen white-tailed eagles. Following the river’s course further south, the Shannon winds into one of Ireland’s biggest cities, Limerick.

Limerick is a fantastic place to moor up and will give boaters a taste of city life again after so long travelling through the hinterlands and countryside. Limerick is a city of history, culture and good times. St John’s castle looms large on the city’s King’s Island and makes for an exceptional taste of Irish history.

Limerick’s Milk Market has become another must-see in the city. With over seventy shops and stalls to speak of, this exceptional farmers market sells goods from across county Limerick and beyond. Whether you want artisan cheeses and meats, a locally crafted ale or whiskey or simply a supply of fresh fruit, Limerick’s Milk Market is the place to be.

If you’re looking to take a romantic break away for two or are travelling in a smaller group, then opting for a smaller boat such as the Penichette Classiques is a great option. These smaller styled boats are ideal for manoeuvring and navigating the canals and rivers of Ireland. Similar to French canal holidays, having a smaller boat on your first boating holiday is advisable; this will allow you to drive through the waterways, even if you don’t have any previous experience.

The only downside to using such a smaller boat is the lack of overall space. Although there is plenty of space to live onboard and enjoy your boating holiday over an extended amount of time, the lack of storage space will mean fewer supplies can be taken on board. This is ok if you are only using the boat as a mere mode of transport and not a permanent home.