Advice on Irish Waterways needed
- Thread starter PEJ
- Start date
PatrickH
Well-Known Member
setting off for 3 days in Dublin then Sat pick up boat. Itinery is (wp) Shannonbridge (Sat night), Terryglass (Sun), Garrykennedy (Mon), Killaloe (Tue), Mountshannon (Wed), Portumna (Thur) and back to Banagher (Fri night). Should be a good week. Hopefully photos when back 
PEJ
Well-Known Member
Good man, Patrick!
Looking forward to reading your cruising tips!
Looking forward to reading your cruising tips!
Shannoner
Well-Known Member
setting off for 3 days in Dublin then Sat pick up boat. Itinery is (wp) Shannonbridge (Sat night), Terryglass (Sun), Garrykennedy (Mon), Killaloe (Tue), Mountshannon (Wed), Portumna (Thur) and back to Banagher (Fri night). Should be a good week. Hopefully photos when back
Enjoy Patrick, weather forecast is looking good for this weekend (Bank Holiday here). I shall be in Dromineer for most of the weekend, I berth my boat there in Shannon sailing. You should call in to Dromineer it's a lovely wee spot and the food in the Whiskey Still pub is excellent, not to mention the coffee shop in the hostel, home baking to die for!
Mick
pks1702
Well-Known Member
We enjoyed our visit to Dromineer as part of a trip we did 2 years ago.
Shannoner
Well-Known Member
Lovely pics of Dromineer, we love it there, and of course Terryglass, Garykennedy, Killaloe and Mountshannon, all only an hour or two away.
I certainly hope the weather this weekend is as nice as in your photos!
rustybarge
Well-Known Member
Please don't discount Athlone, just a short trip up from Banagher.
The best big town on the Shannon, and well worth a visit.
The west side of the town is very pretty, and there's an eclectic mix of restaurants from around the world. (ok that might be a slight exaggeration).
Lough Ree is only 5 minitues upstream and far far prettier than boring old lough Derg. There's dozens of interesting islands to visit, and a couple of very good restaurants as well.
Athlone has two enormous shopping centers, Tesco being the cheapest supermarket in Ireland by far.
If you have teenagers there's various nightclubs, and Sean's bar is worth a visit ( the oldest pub in the world), yotties eat your heart out ( I won't spoil the suprise, it's only a small amount, no it's not the drink affecting you!)
The best big town on the Shannon, and well worth a visit.
The west side of the town is very pretty, and there's an eclectic mix of restaurants from around the world. (ok that might be a slight exaggeration).
Lough Ree is only 5 minitues upstream and far far prettier than boring old lough Derg. There's dozens of interesting islands to visit, and a couple of very good restaurants as well.
Athlone has two enormous shopping centers, Tesco being the cheapest supermarket in Ireland by far.
If you have teenagers there's various nightclubs, and Sean's bar is worth a visit ( the oldest pub in the world), yotties eat your heart out ( I won't spoil the suprise, it's only a small amount, no it's not the drink affecting you!)
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pks1702
Well-Known Member
Not all the time!
I agree thought Athlone to Lough Derg was the best area.
Athlone
Silverline's Yard
I thought Lough Derg was a super area, we passed down Lough Ree but spent no time there so can't pass comment.
Hostel Dromineer
I got some great advice here regarding the visit from a number of forumites including Ireland's water based tourist board Ocean Froggie
Dino
Well-Known Member
Pks, that last picture is actually Lough Derg Yacht Club. The hostel is the old stone building beside the slipway in the main harbour. Good to see you enjoyed your trip. I hope you enjoyed Sean's Bar, it's my local.
By the way, the guys swimming thru town are training for the big triathlon run in July each year in Athlone.
By the way, the guys swimming thru town are training for the big triathlon run in July each year in Athlone.
oceanfroggie
Well-Known Member
Enjoy. Forecast looks ok. We will be on the southern end of Derg for the weekend. Killaloe is definitely worth one or two nights. If you are interested in an eccentric hidden treasure of a restaurant in the middle of nowhere where you have to order your meal 24hr before you arrive but with gourmet food at reasonable prices, there is an amazing tiny restaurant near Cloondavaun marina on northern Derg. I can pm you the marina manager details if you wish. In Killaloe Flanagans steak house on the quay wall with a window seat overlooking the river is nice, also the "Wooden Spoon" near the main street does great delli food. Whiskey Still in Dromineer great pub grub, often live music. Collison's hostel beside the YC in Dromineer does a great cooed breakfast. Personally we slightly prefer scenic Garrykennedy and just love Larkins pub/restaurant there, usually live music after 10. In Terryglass two good pubs, Paddy's and Derg Inn, the Inn having a nice restaurant.
If hiring from Banagher, suggest you arrive early and try and leave no later than 5pm so that you make the 19:30 Portumna bridge opening so that you can get onto lough Derg on your first night. Many hire operators tell clients not to pickup boats till about 16:00, but if you are pushy and turn up after lunch they will usually get you on your way quickly. Bridge times in Portumna at 15:00, 17:30 and 19:30. It takes about 2h15m to get from Banagher to Portumna bridge with one lock (ie Victoria @ Meelick).
If you like quite isolated out of the way spots there is Dromaan, Rossmore, and Kilgarvan. One of the nice things about starting from banagher on the river is that if there is a howling gale blowing you can shelter by using the river and vist Shannon Bridge and Athlone, but it is a longer trip up to Ree. Ree is pretty but has so few harbours. Derg has lots more diversity to offer for a weeks holiday and better scenery.
If you are near Scarrif bay on a sat or sun then you can visit Castle brawn by boat. They have own jetty but need to book with Coady family few days beforehand. It's a small 'keep' restored by a family over the last 20years.
Mountshannon on south western end of Derg is our favourite spot on the whole Shannon. An Cupan Caife run by Dagmar is a fab little restaurant and scenery in Mountshannon is fab.
http://www.ancupan.ie
http://www.larkins.ie
http://www.thederginn.ie
http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g212519-d3807358-Reviews-The_Pipers_Inn-Killaloe_County_Clare.html (need bikes or taxi)
https://www.facebook.com/flanagans.killaloe
http://discovertheshannon.com/listings/clonmoylan-homes-and-red-oak-restaurant
http://www.discoverkillaloe.com/castleBawn.htm
Enjoy
.
If hiring from Banagher, suggest you arrive early and try and leave no later than 5pm so that you make the 19:30 Portumna bridge opening so that you can get onto lough Derg on your first night. Many hire operators tell clients not to pickup boats till about 16:00, but if you are pushy and turn up after lunch they will usually get you on your way quickly. Bridge times in Portumna at 15:00, 17:30 and 19:30. It takes about 2h15m to get from Banagher to Portumna bridge with one lock (ie Victoria @ Meelick).
If you like quite isolated out of the way spots there is Dromaan, Rossmore, and Kilgarvan. One of the nice things about starting from banagher on the river is that if there is a howling gale blowing you can shelter by using the river and vist Shannon Bridge and Athlone, but it is a longer trip up to Ree. Ree is pretty but has so few harbours. Derg has lots more diversity to offer for a weeks holiday and better scenery.
If you are near Scarrif bay on a sat or sun then you can visit Castle brawn by boat. They have own jetty but need to book with Coady family few days beforehand. It's a small 'keep' restored by a family over the last 20years.
Mountshannon on south western end of Derg is our favourite spot on the whole Shannon. An Cupan Caife run by Dagmar is a fab little restaurant and scenery in Mountshannon is fab.
http://www.ancupan.ie
http://www.larkins.ie
http://www.thederginn.ie
http://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g212519-d3807358-Reviews-The_Pipers_Inn-Killaloe_County_Clare.html (need bikes or taxi)
https://www.facebook.com/flanagans.killaloe
http://discovertheshannon.com/listings/clonmoylan-homes-and-red-oak-restaurant
http://www.discoverkillaloe.com/castleBawn.htm
Enjoy
.
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Shannoner
Well-Known Member
For anyone who is on Derg this weekend. There is a charity gig in the Whiskey Still, Dromineer on Saturday night. Details here:
http://www.facebook.com/events/322915531171906/
A good cause, and the craic will be mighty. Last year's mystery guest was Johnny Logan, and this year's should be even better!
Mick
http://www.facebook.com/events/322915531171906/
A good cause, and the craic will be mighty. Last year's mystery guest was Johnny Logan, and this year's should be even better!
Mick
rustybarge
Well-Known Member
Shannoner
Well-Known Member
oceanfroggie
Well-Known Member
Hi Patrick
We will be on southern end of Lough Derg Sunday and Killaloe monday afternoon. Will keep an eye out for you on one of SilverLine's Haines400.
Noel
We will be on southern end of Lough Derg Sunday and Killaloe monday afternoon. Will keep an eye out for you on one of SilverLine's Haines400.
Noel
PatrickH
Well-Known Member
Sat in Larkins (free WiFi) - done Shannonbridge, Terryglass (both v busy), Dromineer and now Garrykennedy. Boat not bad but has a few issues, will post more on return. Will look out for OF tomorrow at Killaloe, save us a space ;-)
- done Shannonbridge, Terryglass (both v busy), Dromineer and now Garrykennedy. Boat not bad but has a few issues, will post more on return. Will look out for OF tomorrow at Killaloe, save us a space ;-)
oceanfroggie
Well-Known Member
Hi Patrick. It is the June bank holiday weekend so harbours particularly busy. Killaloe was packed until today, should have no problem getting space on the new jetties beside the canal (220v + water). Just back in Killaloe this evening in Kincora Harbour marina (ie channel opposite derelict Derg Marina).
PatrickH
Well-Known Member
Back home after a great week. Didn't see OF but have found her on Google Street view
ralf2
Well-Known Member
The best weather to hit Ireland for a couple of years , you chose well mr H 
Hope you had a great time.
Hope you had a great time.
oceanfroggie
Well-Known Member
Back home after a great week. Didn't see OF but have found her on Google Street view
Looking forward to the pics and boat report
PEJ
Well-Known Member
Last day at work before setting off for my holiday. Just been re-reading this thread and Patrick's report. I think I'll do pretty much the same route as him.
Cut and pasted all the good advice on to a sheet and printed it out to take with me.
It is going to be very different from blasting around the Solent but I can't wait to get going.
Cut and pasted all the good advice on to a sheet and printed it out to take with me.
It is going to be very different from blasting around the Solent but I can't wait to get going.