'Shannon Princess' Cruise in Ireland

Sunday, Day 1
Guests are met in Dublin and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Shannon Princess. Your Captain and his crew welcome you onboard with champagne, Black Velvets or Irish coffees. Family BBQ on Deck weather permitting.

Monday, Day 2
Half or full day at Bay Watersports Centre where we moor with Zorbing ,Water Trampolining, Assault Courses, Kayaking, Currach Rowing, Dingy Sailing & Powerboating. All ages can participate. In the Evening Explore Athlone Castle and enjoy visit to Irelands oldest Pub with Traditional Music.

Tuesday, Day 3
We moor at Clonmacnoise ruins. After a guided tour and visit to the interpretive center. Alternatively for energetic souls wishing to linger and explore, a picnic lunch can also be arranged while enjoying a guided cycle along rural byways to rejoin the barge at her overnight moorings in Shannonbridge. We go ghost hunting at Leap Castle Ireland’s most haunted castle. Visit to award winning Mossfield Farm where they demonstrate organic farming & Cheese making. Music in Kileen’s pub for all the family after dinner.

Wednesday, Day 4
We moor waterside at the foot of a gentle hill that slopes up to Terryglass village and time to explore this charming Hamlet. After lunch, we are all off to Oliver Walsh’s spectacular “Flower Hill Country House Equestrian Centre” for some of the best horse riding Ireland has to offer. This is a chance to experience a natural Cross Country Course with the infamous Galway Blazer Fox Hunt Stone Walls.

Thursday, Day 5
Early morning cruise to Mountshannon, whilst enjoying breakfast on board, followed by a visit to the magnificent Cliffs of Moher. This is top of the list of places to see in Ireland and a designated UNESCO Geo Park. The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kilometers over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare.

Friday, Day 6)
Cruise to Killaloe and visit to Foynes flying boat museum. Foynes Flying Boat Museum captures perfectly the romantic era of the first transatlantic passenger flights by flying boat. Pan-Am Airlines commissioned Charles Lindbergh who had made the first solo flight to Europe in 1927, hot on the heels of Alcock and Brown who had beaten him to it in 1919, to find a suitable base for their flying boat service from New York to Ireland. Foynes on the Shannon estuary was chosen as the nearest European landfall, which turned out to be of strategic importance as a back door into Europe during WW2. Another option is to visit Adare Manor to gain a real insight into the history and tradition of falconry, ‘getting up close and personal’ with birds of prey such as owls, falcons and eagles. Alternatively, a fishing Ghillie can be arranged for some lake or fly fishing. Captain’s Farewell Dinner onboard.

Saturday, Day 7
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Dublin.

This sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction

Golf cruises include four pre-booked and paid tee times and transfers to and from the golf clubs. Hire of clubs, caddy or buggy not included. Only those golfing pay the supplement. A minimum of 4 passengers on a golf charter are required to play golf.
 

Sunday, Day 1 Glasson
We meet you at the designated meeting place and transfer you by coach to Shannon Princess moored moor right next to the 17th tee at Glasson Golf and Country Club. Your Captain and his crew welcome you on board with Champagne, Black Velvets or Irish Coffees, then time perhaps for a stroll. Dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Glasson to Athlone
This morning, enjoy a round of golf at Glasson Golf and Country Club, a Christy O’Connor design quoted as “the best he has done so far”. The course presents you with many challenges and treats, as well as spectacular views from all 18 holes.  
(18 holes, 6400m, Par 72)
After lunch back on board, we cruise around the beautiful Inner Lakes of Lough Ree and moor in Athlone. In the afternoon we visit the Kilbeggan Whiskey, dating from 1757 and the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, for a tour and, of course, a tasting.  Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Athlone to Banagher
This morning we cruise through a wild life flora and fauna reserve, mooring on the way at the ancient ruins of Clonmacnoise, a famed 6th century university and early Christian settlement.  After a guided tour we enjoy lunch on board, whilst cruising on north to Athlone through Europe’s richest example of “Callow” landscape, countryside little changed in over 1,000 years. After lunch we transfer to the K Golf Club, which hosted the 2006 Ryder Cup.  The Arnold Palmer designed course is one of the premier parkland golf courses in Europe.
(18 holes, 6815m, Par 72)
Return to the barge for dinner on board, followed by a session of golf lore and music at a local pub.

Wednesday, Day 4 Shannonbridge to Terryglass
After breakfast we cruise down through Meelick lock, pausing as Portumna swing bridge is opened to allow the Shannon Princess passage onto idyllic Lough Derg. We moor at Terryglass Harbour where there is time to explore this charming hamlet. In the afternoon, we visit Leap Castle, reputed to be Ireland’s most haunted house. You will be greeted by Sean Ryan and his family who will invite you into their unusual home and Sean, a renowned musician, will tell you the fascinating history of the castle and the part it played in founding the American Constitution. Sean will gladly play a few tunes with possibly the added bonus of being joined by his talented young daughter who will demonstrate her amazing dancing skills. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Terryglass to Mountshannon
A sunrise cruise before we transfer you to Adare Manor Golf Resort, an exquisite 18-hole Championship course featuring 230 acres of lush Irish countryside with lakes and a river meandering through it. The Adare course was designed by legendary Robert Trent Jones Senior.  
(18 holes, 6815m, Par 71)
We return to Shannon Princess and set sail across beautiful Lough Derg, passing Forrest Park and ancient mountains to our mooring at Mountshannon, a lovely lakeside village perched above the Lough.  Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Mountshannon to Killaloe
This morning we continue our cruise south on Lough Derg past her many islands re-joining the River Shannon to our final mooring at Killaloe, once home to the court of the greatest High King of Ireland, Brian Boru. Before lunch, there is time for you to visit the town, then we transfer you to Lahinch Golf Club – ranked in the World’s top 100 and dating back to 1892, making it one of Ireland’s oldest clubs. The golf course is a 70 minute drive each way, but well worth it!
(18 holes, 6115m, Par 72)
Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Killaloe
After breakfast, disembark Shannon Princess and transfer to the designated drop off point.

On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change
The designated meeting and drop-off point is Dublin

Artisan cruises include visits to specialist artisans where a variety of hand-made products are produced.
 

Sunday, Day 1 Glasson
We meet you at the designated meeting place and transfer you by coach to the Shannon Princess moored at Quigley’s Marina. Your Captain and his crew welcome you on board the delightful Shannon Princess with Champagne, Black Velvets or Irish Coffees! Dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Glasson to Athlone
After an early morning Bread & Baking practical demonstration, there’s time for an early morning stroll through twisting country lanes, before we set out to explore a river wrapped in the legends of time. The Shannon Princess slips through countryside little changed through the centuries. Now a preserved area of ecological importance, relax & unwind as we float along the Shannon’s beautiful “Inner Lakes”, passing stately riverside homes & some of its reputed 365 wooded islands.
Lunch is served on board. We moor in the pretty bustling Town of Athlone. After lunch on board, we visit Kelly’s “Moonshine Organic Dairy” Gerry and Mary Kelly are passionate producers with a real connection to the food they grow, source, make and sell. Part of the philosophy is a ‘back to basics’ concept so that, uniquely, products are created with the greatest of care on favourable days in the moon’s cycle. Moonshine Dairy is an organic farm that seeks to re-establish the bond of recognition and trust in food relationships.
As artisan producers, the Kelly’s offer a range of cow’s milk cheeses, probiotic yoghurts and yoghurt drinks. The range of farmhouse cheeses includes the award-winning Grace, a full flavoured soft cheese; Una, a soft cheese with a topping of sundried tomatoes, olives and herbs that won a bronze medal at the World Cheese Awards; Brid, with organic nettles, chives, celery, parsley and garlic and an organic sunflower oil; Aine, organic peppers blended with their own delicious fresh cheese and Derbhella, with a little parsley, onion, garlic, peppers and curry, (all organic), combined with the fresh organic cheese.

Tuesday, Day 3 Athlone to Shannonbridge
The Shannon Princess descends through Athlone Lock and follows the river as it flows south through “The Callows”. These lush grazing meadows have remained unchanged in over 1000 years and are now rich Wildfowl & Fauna Reserves. We moor at Clonmacnoise ruins – the ancient burial grounds of High Kings of Tara & Connaught. Clonmacnoise is an atmospheric & spiritual 6th Century monastic settlement soaked in history & myth. After a guided tour & visit to the interpretive centre we lunch enroute to Shannonbridge. Alternatively for energetic souls wishing to linger & explore, a picnic lunch can also be arranged while enjoying an undulating walk/cycle along rural byways to rejoin the barge at her overnight moorings in Shannonbridge. Shannonbridge is a charming little walled riverside village, an excellent spot for riverside walking, swimming, and exploring. Visit to the quaint and picturesque village of “Ballinahowen” Our first visit here is to the “Celtic Roots Studio” where they design and craft sculptures and unique gifts in bogwood.
The wood, over 5000 years old is the remains of trees hidden in the bog and brought to the surface thousands of years later. Each piece is handcrafted from this unique piece of ancient material. We then ramble across the road to the studio’s of “Core Crafted Design” The original styling’s of the building merge easily with the contemporary design of the new outlet to create an apt showcase for the largest selection of craft designers, artists, and creative’s in the midlands region. Quality, design and originality are paramount at Core and as such, all designers partake in a stringent assessment process to ensure the project represents the pinnacle of craft and design from Offaly and Westmeath. The outlet is also spearheading the growth of craft and design in the area by facilitating makers in showcasing their designs while also arranging demonstrations and craft. We now visit near neighbours Meadowsweet Apiaries & Farm Shop. The bees are native Irish bee (Apis mellifera mellifera) and they are housed in national hives.
The colonies are kept in twelve permanent apiares over a twenty mile radius. Over the years Meadowsweet Apiaries has won numerous awards for its honey produce. Meadowsweet has extensive fruit gardens. Return to barge for gourmet dinner showcasing todays produce.

Wednesday, Day 4 Shannonbridge to Terryglass
We travel a very evocative stretch of the River Shannon. The Shannon Princess follows the rivers gentle curves, passing crumbling ivy covered ruins, medieval garrisons & sleepy market villages. Onwards we head, in the wake of time, floating by dappled woodlands & floodplain meadows. The ever-changing landscape slipping by, descending through Meelick lock and pausing as Portumna Swing Bridge is opened to allow the Shannon Princess onto idyllic Lough Derg.
We moor waterside at the foot of a gentle hill that slopes up to Terryglass village Mossfield Organic Cheeses”. Guided tour by the master cheese maker, Ralph Haslam, owner of Mossfield Organic Cheeses. It’s not easy to produce an award-winning cheese. But to produce one within a few short years of cheese making would seem to be an impossible task. He made the huge decision to switch to organic production and within a very short time, he became a very prominent organic farmer in the Co Offaly area. After just one year of making cheese, he succeeded in producing an organic cheese that is of such high quality that it took gold and silver medals at the World Cheese Awards. Now 10 years later Mossfield is found on the Cheese Boards of some of Europe’s finest Restaurants. Heading back to the barge we stop in the lovely town of “Birr” where we drop into a small but wonderfully stocked “Organic Food Store”.

Thursday, Day 5 Terryglass to Mountshannon
A full day excursion to Galway City – A lively University Town and cultural centre for Irish speaking regions in Western Ireland. En route to Galway we drop in to Visit the Portumna Castle’s Kitchen Garden. This is truly a gem full of beautiful herbs and berries and where the Shannon Princess’s Chef stocks up her galley. Galway is the Gourmet Centre of the Wild Atlantic Food Trail. Here we visit the world famous Clarinbridge Oyster Beds on the shores of Galway Bay. Protected by the bay from the force of Atlantic storms, the 700 acres of beds lie in an ideal mixture of fresh and sea water vital for perfect oyster development, taking from three to five years to grow for consumption. MC Geoughs Craft Butchers & Smokehouse – An award winning Charcuterie producing Smoked Connemara lamb, Smoked wild boar, and numerous Pates, Fresh & cured sausages & puddings.
Visit to Galway Smoked Salmon Salt House to see fish landed and prepared for smoking. Free to visit the many Gourmet & Artisan Food shops in Galway. Return to Shannon Princess for Entertaining with Ease Cookery Demonstration. Evening Gourmet Dinner and sail through the especially beautiful Lough Derg passing Forrest Park and ancient mountains as we set our course for Mountshannon – a lovely lakeside village perched above the Lough.

Friday, Day 6 Mountshannon to Killaloe
This morning we literately go with the flow, south through Lough Derg and her many Islands, Castles & Medieval strongholds. The River Shannon carves a dramatic route through the Hills & Valleys of Munster’s North Riding before sweeping into Killaloe, once home to the court of the last High King of Ireland, Brian Boro. We moor on the Tipperary side of this elegant little Ecclesiastical town, with plenty of time for you to visit both villages & local sites of interest.
After lunch on-board, we set off by bus to the pretty village of Tuamgraney where we visit “Wilde Irish Chocolate Makers” Artisan chocolate makers. If Wilde suggests a bit of decadence, then it’s exactly the right name for the chocolate that Patricia Farrell makes, not far from the shores of Lough Derg, in Co Clare. But other words that can be used to describe just how delicious these are might include scrumptious and luscious. And winning Great Taste Gold in 2007 is the definite ‘proof of the pudding’. Chocolate is probably the one food that’s practically irresistible. Even the exotic names of the Wilde products are a temptation – Hazelnut Duet, Mocha Mocha, Truffle Temptation. Wilde is the only Irish maker of Organic Fairtrade chocolate, certified by the Organic Trust. There’s also a range of conventional and sugar free hand-decorated products. All the chocolates are handmade by the ‘Wilde Team’ in a small artisan outlet in Tuamgraney. When Patricia and Con Farrell opened the workshop in 1997, they had the aim of producing great chocolate. Success followed with the awarding of five Great Taste awards in five years. They are most proud of last year’s Gold Medal as it was for their Fairtrade Organic Chocolates. Also, here in Tuamgraney we visit McKernan Handweavers. McKernans is a small family run business. You are invited to visit McKernan’s workshop and showroom.
Take a step back in time and experience Eugene working his magic on late nineteenth century looms, where he turns Anke’s contemporary designs into colourful arrays of distinctive scarves and shawls. Eugene and Anke McKernan have specialized in woven and knitted scarves and shawls from the finest and softest of natural yarns. Their work consciously differs from fast changing fashion trends and tries to emphasize their individual touch. Visit to Irish Seed Savers in the Village for a short work shop on Native Fruits. Visit to Riverside Artisan Bakery & Patisserie. Farewell Gala Dinner.

Saturday, Day 7 Killaloe
After breakfast transfer by coach to the designated drop off point.

On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change

Walking cruises include daily walking with a professional walking guide.
 

Sunday, Day 1 Killaloe
We meet you at the designated meeting place and transfer you by coach to the Shannon Princess moored in historic Killaloe. We are moored on the Tipperary side of these picturesque little Ecclesiastical towns. Killaloe was once home to the court of the last High King of Ireland – Brian Boru. “Cead Mile Failte,” Your Captain and his crew welcome you on board the elegant Shannon Princess with a Champagne Reception. Time enough to meet new friends. Relax on deck or explore this charming riverside town & local sites of interest. Watch the world float by, as you enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Walk the Graves of the Leinstermmen
We take a hike into the Arra Mountains from our mooring in Killaloe. At the summit of Tountinna is the “GRAVES OF THE LEINSTERMEN”, today one stone is standing, the rest are covered in undergrowth. The site may have originally been a stone circle or a Neolithic Tomb. Keep a look out for evidence of the area’s great slate quarrying tradition. Magnificent views can be had from these parts, and blanket bog and several varieties of heather add to the allure of the landscape. This is an excellent walk and can take between 3 to 5 hours to walk. We are walking on natural terrain with moderate gradients. We slip our moorings at Killaloe, and start our journey up river.
This afternoon we literately go with the flow, up through Lough Derg with its many Islands & Medieval strongholds. Here The Shannon Princess follows a dramatic route carved through the hills & valleys of Munster’s North Riding. The River sweeps past banks charmingly dotted with Wild Horses & Crumbling Castles. We moor at the lovely old estate village of Mountshannon, perched prettily above the Lough. Gourmet Dinner on-board and a moonlit ramble around Mountshannon.

Tuesday, Day 3 Walk the East Clare Hills
The East Clare Way walk starts from overnight mooring in Mountshannon. This is a 127km route of marked Highways and Byways. You will be guided through what is considered the most beautiful section. A gentle climb up through riverside villages & into the Slieve Bernagh hills until we overlook some of the most spectacular scenery in the whole of Munster with Lough Derg and its many islands at our feet creating a landscape rich in beauty, colour and variety. This is a 3 to 4 hour walk on natural terrain and trails with moderate gradients.
This afternoon the Shannon Princess meanders effortlessly north through Lough Derg. We moor waterside at the foot of a hill that slopes gently up to Terryglass village. At Terryglass take time to explore this rural Hamlet- walk, cycle, swim or make a wish in any of the villages’ ‘Holy (fairy) Wells’! Time to explore Portumna Castle Walled Kitchen Gardens with your Chef. Gourmet dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Walk The Slieve Bloom Way, Cadens Town & Kinnity
We travel by luxury coach to the nearby Slieve Bloom Mountains. Steeped in history and folklore, the Slieve Blooms dominate the landscape as it straddles the border of counties Offaly and Laois. Its highest peak, 529m Arderin, translates from Irish as the height of Ireland. Connections with the past are everywhere as the area is dusted with monuments dating back as far as 4,500 years. This is a three to 4 hour walk along riverside paths & bog tracks and through woodland trails. Refreshment at Leap Castle Hosted by Owner & Traditional Musician Sean Ryan. Return to “Shannon Princess II’ for Gourmet Dinner, and cruise an evocative stretch of the river Shannon. Onwards we head, in the wake of time, floating by dappled woodlands & ancient highways. The ever-changing landscape slipping by, pausing as Portumna Swing Bridge is opened to allow the Shannon Princess pass on by, upwards through Meelick Lock to moor over night at the village of Shannonbridge. Gourmet Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Walk the Pilgrim Path
After a short Cruise, we moor at Clonmacnoise ruins – an atmospheric & spiritual 6th Century monastic settlement soaked in history & myth. Clonmacnoise was the ancient burial grounds of the High Kings of Tara & Connaught and quickly became a popular place of pilgrimage. Here on the Shannon Riverbanks we start our walking trail on THE PILGRIM’S PATH. This ancient walking route crossed early historic Ireland from east to west and was known in Gaelic as An tSlí Mór, the Great Road. The modern Pilgrim Path covers an intact stretch of that ancient route which winds along the Esker Riada and provides the walker with an elevated view of the bog and river Shannon rich in wildlife and flowers .
We follow the trail for 3 to 4 hours, over gently undulating & natural terrain. The Shannon Princess continues its meander up the Shannon towards Athlone, cruising through lush grazing meadows & floodplains. These meadows are considered Ireland’s premier wildfowl & flora reserves, and excellent examples of “Callows” landscape. We moor in the heart of the bustling town of Athlone with time to visit some of the many charming craft, antiques shops or a visit to any of the town’s impromptu traditional music pub. Dinner on board.

Friday, Day 6 Walk The Tain Trail & Portlick Woods Taiin Co Culaine
This morning the Barge slips through countryside little changed through the centuries. Relax & unwind as we float along the Shannon’s beautiful “Lough Ree & its Inner Lakes”, passing stately riverside homes & some of its reputed 365 wooded islands. We moor at Quigleys Marina, Glasson is the legendary route taken across Ireland taken by Queen Maedbh of Connacht in her attempts at the theft of her husband’s riches and his prized Brown Bull of Cooley. The Tain Trail is steeped in mythology & history as it retraces the journey & battles between Maeve & her armies & the Warrior hero Cúchulainn. We join the Tain Trail along the Shores of Lough Ree where Maeve met a bloody end. We follow the trail for 3 to 4 hours. This is a charming lakeshore byway on natural surfaces with only slight gradients. Farewell “Slainte” Gourmet Dinner.

Saturday, Day 7 Glasson
After breakfast transfer by coach to the designated drop off point.

On alternate weeks the cruise will be in the reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change
Various pick up and drop off points are available for charter groups