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.
Click on the place name to find out more about each location. Not all locations in a region are mentioned on our suggested cruises, why not browse Featured Locations list to help you decide where to cruise.
Carrick-on-Shannon - Shannonbridge - Carrick-on-Shannon
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
Portumna - Belturbet (or vice versa)
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.
