Our base in Portumna

Name: Le Boat Portumna
Address: Connaught Harbour, Bridge Road, Portumna, H53 W447
Telephone: + 353 (0) 909 741 120

Connaught Harbour, Bridge Road, Portumna

About Portumna

The whole of the Shannon and Erne is great for fishing, but Lough Derg, a stone’s throw south of Portumna, is a fisherman’s paradise and probably the best fishing spot in Ireland. This spectacular stretch of water is huge and you could easily spend a week exploring the many pretty villages along its shores. Must-see Clonmacnoise, an ancient Celtic burial site, is just 6 hrs to the north of Portumna.

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Emerald Star base

Point of interest

View our Portumna base on Google Maps

What you get on the base

Facilities

Toilets and showers
Laundry
Fridge
Luggage storage available (at own risk)

Local info

Hotels

County Arms Hotel Birr Co. Offaly (21.8 km from base) – Tel. +353 (0) 579 120 791 https://www.countyarmshotel.com/
Carlton Shearwater Hotel (35 km from base) – Tel. +353 (0) 90 9 630 400 https://www.shearwaterhotel.com/
Lough Rea Hotel and Spa (35 km from base) – Tel. +353 (0) 918 800 88 www.loughreahotelandspa.com
Abbey Court Hotel & Spa (30 km from base) – Tel. +353 (0) 674 11 11 www.abbeycourt.ie

Restaurants

The Dreg Inn – Tel. 00353 (0) 672 203 7

Mc Namaras – Tel. 00353 (0) 619 210 20

Le Chateau – Tel. 00353 (0) 902 945 17

Coffey’s Bar and Food store – Tel. 00353 (0) 903 611 18

Modena Restaurant – Tel. 00353 (0) 909 759 568

Grocery Deliveries

We recommend ordering and paying for a grocery delivery online with SuperValu. You can arrange for your order to be delivered to the base between 9am – 11am on the morning of your departure.

Local Market

Friday Morning-Country Market in Town Hall- Home grown and baked produce Saturday Morning (Small Market)

Fishing

Permits are not required on the River Shannon and any rivers off it do require a permit, which can be obtained via inland Fisheries Ireland on www.permits.fishinginreland.info.

Bring your own fishing equipment as it is not available to hire at the base. It is possible to buy equipment from the following shops: Tooman Angling and Leisure Ltd, Bridge Street: Tel. +353 (0) 719 621 872 which is situated 15 meters from the Shannon, it also provides outdoor clothing and bait etc.

Tourist Info

Portumna Visitor Information Point, Abbey St, Fairyhill, Portumna, Co. Galway, Ireland

Doctors / Vets

Doctors

Dr Fahey – 090 9741657

Dr Brogan – 090 9741146

Electric car charging points

In the square in Portumna about a 3 minute drive from the base. (1,7 km)

Opening hours

Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat: 9am – 6pm. Sun: Closed | If there is no one at the base at a specific time during these hours, the phone number below will be diverted and an alternative number will also be displayed at the base.

Address

Emerald Star, Bridge Road, Portumna,
H53 W447, Co Galway, Ireland

Telephone

+ 353 (0) 909 741 120

Email

portumna@leboat.com

Please note that payment of fuel, deposit & any extras booked and paid locally are required in the local currency of the base. Our bases accept Visa & Mastercard, but not American Express.

Extras

Early check-in and late check-out
Boat cleaning
Parking (see ‘Travel info‘ tab)
Car transfer (excluding hire cars)
Eco cleaning pack

Fun extras

Bike hire
Special occasion gift baskets
Gas barbecues
Angling dinghy and outboard

Travel to Portumna

View our Portumna base on Google Maps

By Train

Closest train stations:

Ballinasloe: 34 km

By Road

Be prepared

It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with local road rules and abide by them. Most European countries have a list of compulsory equipment that you must take with you. For driving advice and a list of the equipment you’ll need, please visit https://www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-cover/driving-in-europe

Directions from Galway City

Take motorway to Loughrea. From Loughrea to Killimor Killimor- Portumna.

Directions from Dublin Airport

Take Motorway M50. Exit at Athlone/ Galway. Motorway to Ballinasloe. Ballinasloe exit for Portumna. Directions from Shannon Airport: Take Motorway to Limerick City. Follow signs for Dublin. Exit at Nenagh for Borrisokane. Follow direct to Portumna.

Directions from Cork Airport

Take city bypass following signposts to Limerick. In Limerick take bypass of city following signs to Dublin/ Nenagh. In Nenagh take exit for Borrisokane and follow direct to Portumna

Directions from Knock Airport

Follow signs to Claremorris, Claremorris to Tuam, Tuam to Claregalway, Turn left in Claregalway and go to oranmore, take left exit at first roundabout and first left at next roundabout following signs for Dublin/Loughrea. By pass Loughrea following signs for Ballinasloe/Dublin. Approx 3km from Loughrea turn right following signs for Killimor/Portumna. Enter Portumna.

Directions from Rosslare Port

Follow signs for Kilkenny City, From Kilkenny to Johnstown, Johnstown to Borris-in-ossery. From Borris-in-ossery to Roscrea, Roscrea to Birr and Birr to Portumna

Parking

Ungated parking onsite (pre-bookable extra – fee applies).

By Air

Closest airports:

Galway: 62 km
Shannon: 94 km
Dublin: 162 km
Knock: 119 km
Cork: 178 km

Airport Transfers

In Ireland we can arrange airport transfers for you. Standard transfers are €35 per person and run from Dublin airport to Carrick-on-Shannon on Saturdays (and any other day except Sunday – although a minimum 5 person charge applies on these other days) and from Dublin or Shannon airport to Portumna on Saturdays only. Outside of these time, a private transfer can be arranged, although different rates will apply.

Inward standard transfers are arranged to coincide with arrivals between 09.00 – 18.00. Any time outside of these times will be charged at a private rate.

On arrival at Dublin airport, if landing at Terminal 1, you will find your transport driver waiting in front of the coffee shop, and if landing at Terminal 2, you will find your driver waiting in front of the book shop. If you are travelling to Carrick-on-Shannon your driver will be from Martin Coaches and have a sign with ‘Shannon – Erne – Waterways’, if you are travelling to Portumna your driver will be from Kearns Transport and have a sign with ‘Emerald Star or Le Boat’.

Return transfer time is before 10 am from either base. If you require a later pick up time, a private transfer rate will apply. If you have an early morning flight, you will be picked up 5 hrs prior to your flight’s departure time. (E.g. Flight time: 8am – you will be picked up from the base at 3 am. Please note this is a standard transfer rate).

Please contact our Boating Experts to book your transfer.

By Sea

Irish Ferries offer several daily sailings from Holyhead to Dublin. Dublin is approximately a two hour 15 minute drive from our Emerald Star Base in Portumna. Pack your car with everything you need to enjoy your holiday to the full.

For everything you need to know about check-in and check-out times, along with guidance on late arrivals, visit our Arrivals page for full details and helpful information to plan your journey with confidence.

If you are arriving by plane or train, we can arrange for a transfer for you to and from the base at negotiated prices.

These are €45 per person (oneway) and run from Dublin airport to Portumna on Saturdays. Outside of these time, a private transfer can be arranged, although different rates will apply. Please enquire.

Inward standard transfers are arranged to coincide with arrivals between 09.00 – 18.00. Any time outside of these times will be charged at a private rate.

Return transfer time is before 10 am from either base. If you have an early morning flight, you will be picked up 5 hrs prior to your flight’s departure time. (E.g. Flight time: 8am – you will be picked up from the base at 3 am.) This is charged at the same standard transfer rates as above. If you require pick up later than 10am, a private transfer rate will apply. Please enquire.

Approx price (4 persons) from:

Shannon Airport (SNN)190€
Dublin Airport (DUB)240€

Individual transfers outside these routes/times can be requested with the Sales Team.

In both cases, please contact the Sales Team via Email (info@leboat.com) at least two weeks prior to your holiday. Payable ahead to your Sales Contact Person.

To book a taxi to or from the base you can contact the number below.

Ambrose Sheehy (00353 (0) 909 741 140)
Kieran Madden (00353 (0) 872 990 509)
Larry’s Hackney (00353 (0) 872 961 560)
Gene Forde (00353 (0) 872 434 311)

Approximate cruising times

From Portumna it is:

19hrs (5 locks) to our base in Carrick-on-Shannon

Plan your days with confidence using our approximate cruising times for Portumna.

Rivers Shannon & Erne Region Guide

Curious about where the water could take you? This guide will spill the secrets of the region.

Must-stop towns and villages, plus local tips on markets, moorings and mouthwatering eats.
Cruise times, lock numbers and handy need-to-knows to help you plan your trip.
Region-specific info on moorings, locks, and facilities – so you’re always one step ahead on the water.

DOWNLOAD The RIVERS SHANNON & ERNE region GuidE

Detailed Itineraries

Sometimes too much choice can feel overwhelming, so we’ve drawn on our 55+ years of experience and in-house expertise to create a collection of detailed itineraries exclusively for Emerald Star customers. Featuring handpicked routes, must-see attractions and local dining gems, they’re designed to guide you on your boating holiday and make planning easy.

107 KMs | 7 nights

7-Night River Shannon and Erne Itinerary: Portumna Return

Set off from Portumna on a round-trip cruise across Lough Derg and the gentle River Shannon. Moor at welcoming harbours from Terryglass to Garrykennedy and Dromineer, wander the twin towns of Killaloe and Ballina, and from Mountshannon join a boat to Inis Cealtra, a sixth century monastic island. Round things off at Portumna Castle and Gardens. Evenings bring hearty meals, music and warm pubs, while unhurried days reveal rich birdlife and the easy rhythm of Shannon cruising.

View Itinerary

86 KMs | 2 locks | 3 nights

3-Night River Shannon and Erne Itinerary: Portumna Return

Set off from Portumna on a relaxed return cruise along the River Shannon, drifting through wide waters and gentle countryside to the welcoming towns of Banagher and Shannonbridge. Step ashore to explore a 17th-century castle and gardens, sip local whiskey, and visit a 19th-century fort turned riverside café. Evenings bring hearty meals, live music and the warm embrace of traditional Irish pubs, while unhurried days on the water let you enjoy birdlife, rolling landscapes and the easy rhythm of life along Ireland’s most famous river.