Carrick-on-Shannon RETURN 3-Night Itinerary
Set out on a relaxed three-night return from Carrick-on-Shannon that blends easy cruising with time to explore riverside life. With short cruising times and only two locks along the route, this is an ideal break for first timers and anyone who wants to slow the pace. Follow the Shannon to friendly Leitrim Village and on to colourful Dromod, with cosy pubs, quality local food and gentle strolls from the harbour. Your final evening brings you back to Carrick on Shannon for a last taste of town before an easy handover in the morning.
Suggested Itinerary
Arrive at base
2pm – 5pm
After you have arrived and checked-in, we’ll show you to your boat as quickly as possible. Spend time settling in, freshen up and await your pre-departure briefing which will be given by one of our base technicians. They will familiarise you with the boat’s domestic systems and give you a hands-on demonstration of the boat controls and how to operate it. They will make sure you are comfortable and confident controlling the boat, as well as navigating the waterway, before you set off.
Food for the journey: We recommend picking up a few essentials for breakfast, along with supplies for one especially scenic lunch on board, before you set off. Make sure to allow yourself a little time to pop into town and stock up.
Carrick-on-Shannon > Leitrim
5pm – 6pm
Approx. 1 hr | 0 locks
Dinner at MJ O’Connor, Leitrim
7pm – 9:30pm
Located in the heart of Leitrim Village, MJ O’Connor is a friendly local with an enclosed glass beer garden that stays cosy even on cooler evenings. Open from Thursday to Sunday, the menu leans into easy crowd pleasers such as burgers, pizzas and chicken wings.
If you find yourself looking for a dinner spot any other day of the week, The Barge Steakhouse sits close to the moorings and serves hearty pub classics including its much-loved Barge Burger. Make a booking: +353 71 962 0807
The Leitrim Inn and Blueway Lodge Restaurant is another great option, offering quality pub favourites with vegan, vegetarian and gluten free choices. For bookings: +353 719605600 | bluewaylodge.ie
Overnight in Leitrim
Breakfast on board
8am – 9am
Leitrim > Dromod
9am -12pm
Approx. 3 hrs | 1 lock
Retrace your route back towards Carrick-on-Shannon, then continue south for about two hours to reach Dromod Harbour.
Lunch at The Copper Still Bar Restaurant, Dromod
1pm – 2:30pm
Set in the heart of Dromod, The Copper Still serves home style Irish cooking that is high quality and good value. The newly refurbished bar, restaurant and Garden Bar work for sunny days and cosy evenings, and traditional music often features at weekends. It is an easy 15-minute walk from Dromod Harbour.
Booking recommended: +353 71 963 8248 | The Copper Still
Explore Dromod
2:30pm – 6pm
This small village is noted for its excellent fishing on nearby Loughs Bofin and Boderg. Visit the Bog Oak water feature in the centre of the village, entitled ‘The Weeping Tree’, which was made by a local craftsman from a piece of bog oak which was found nearby. Spend the remainder of your afternoon relaxing on board and preparing for a lovely dinner in town.
Dinner at Cox’s Steakhouse, Dromod
7pm – 9:30pm
A welcoming choice for dinner, just a 5-minute stroll from Dromod Harbour. Known for mouthwatering steaks, fresh seafood and vibrant vegetarian dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
For bookings: +353 71 963 8234 | coxs-steakhouse.com
Overnight in Dromod
Breakfast on board
8am – 9am
Dromod > Carnadoe Lakes
9:30am – 10am
Approx. 30 mins | 0 locks
Only a short cruise away, the beautiful Carnadoe Lakes await your exploration. On your way in, you’ll pass Carnadoe Pier and navigate beneath a bridge (you should reach this point only 30-minutes from Dromod).
Note: Water levels may rise, making passage under the bridge more challenging. It’s best to judge carefully before continuing further.
Cruise Carnadoe Lakes
10am – 12noon
Approx. 2 hrs of cruising | 0 locks
The Carnadoe Lakes are one of the Shannon’s hidden treasures. This stretch of waterway feels completely untouched, unchanged for generations. As you navigate, the channel weaves through tall reeds before opening into broad, shimmering bays, with markers to guide your way. The stillness here is striking, with crystal-clear waters that invite a refreshing swim, and a landscape that feels wonderfully wild and unspoilt.
Allow yourself time to make your way back towards Carnadoe Pier, just beyond the bridge, where you can moor for lunch before continuing towards Carrick-on-Shannon for the afternoon.
Lunch on board
12noon – 1pm
Carnadoe Lakes > Carrick-on-Shannon
1pm – 3pm
Approx. 2 hrs | 1 lock
Make your way back from to the Emerald Star base in Carrick-on-Shannon for your final evening on board. Expect around 2 hours of cruising time from the Carnadoe Pier (Rushport Marina).
Note: Locks on this stretch of the waterway close overnight and only reopen at 9am. Returning the evening before ensures a smooth handover in the morning.
Explore Carrick-on-Shannon
3pm – 6:30pm
Known as ‘the marina capital of Ireland’, Carrick-on-Shannon’s Marina is an attractive focal point of the town. Walking along the boardwalk towards the Marina and People’s Park is a lovely way to stretch the legs.
Visit the unique Costello Memorial Chapel, reputed to be the second smallest chapel in the world, and erected by Edward Costello to mark his devotion to his wife, who died in 1877. The ruins of the old Carrick Castle can be glimpsed on the Carrick Bridge.
Dinner at The Red Bank Restaurant, Carrick-on-Shannon
7pm – 9:30pm
Experience delicious food and warm hospitality in this family-run restaurant in the heart of town. The dishes and cocktails are beautifully presented and overall this is a special spot to enjoy the last evening of your holiday.
For bookings: +353 71 967 1392 | theredbankrestaurant.ie/
For a lively drink after dinner, McHugh’s Bar is just around the block and pours an excellent pint!
Overnight in Carrick-on-Shannon
Breakfast on board
7:30am – 8:30am
Enjoy your final breakfast on board before tidying and vacating your boat by 9am (unless you have booked and paid for a late-checkout).
Depart Carrick-on-Shannon
9am
4 or 5 night alternative
Ireland is heaven for fishing enthusiasts! Take a day to relax and catch bream, roach, hybrid and big pike. Or Golf lovers can enjoy a round at Carrick Golf Club, a stunning 18-hole course situated on the banks of Drumharlow Lake and Boyle River. Lough Key Forest Park is another wonderful attraction to visit, renowned for its stunning views, varied wildlife and historic buildings. It also has a visitor centre with a treetop canopy walk, outdoor adventure playgrounds, segway tours and many other fun activities!
This itinerary is a suggestion only
This suggested itinerary is an indication of what could be accomplished, and your ability to accomplish it, is not a contractual obligation of Le Boat. Le Boat is unable to guarantee when your pre-departure briefing will take place and in some cases it will not be given until the morning after your arrival. In these instances, you will need to adapt the itinerary outlined to accommodate a later departure. All cruising distances and times are approximations and are subject to local navigation restrictions at the time you cruise, planned or otherwise, which may also require you to deviate from the itinerary shown. Please check advertised opening times of sights, attractions and restaurants to avoid disappointment – some may need to be booked in advance. All meals, entry fees and tour tariffs are payable at your own expense. Attractions, restaurants and even locks and/or stretches of the waterway may be closed or can close without notice.
We’d love to hear from you
We’ve tried our very best to ensure the accuracy of the information we’ve provided. If you have followed all or some of this itinerary and have found something isn’t quite right, or perhaps you have some helpful tips and pointers that we could add which might be useful to your fellow boaters, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at: itineraries@leboat.com
Image Credits
Carrick-on-Shannon town aerial – The Bush Hotel | Carrick-on-Shannon Marina – Discover Ireland | MJ O’Connor’s Bar, Leitrim – Intec Design | The Copper Still Bar, Dromod – The Copper Still Bar | Cox’s Steakhouse, Dromod – Cox’s Steakhouse Dromod (Facebook)