H2olidays

Itinerary

Glasson to Killaloe

Sunday - Glasson
Guests are met at the **designated meeting point and transferred and transferred to the Shannon Princess moored in Glasson . Your Captain and his crew welcome you on board the delightful Shannon Princess with Champagne, Black Velvets or Irish Coffees! Dinner on board.

Monday - Glasson to Athlone
This morning, we begin our cruise around the beautiful “Inner Lakes” of Lough Ree and then continue north as we explore some of the 365 islands on the lake. We then circle back to the River Shannon and onto our mooring in Athlone Town. After lunch we depart by coach to the Kilbeggan Whiskey Distillery, the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, dating from 1757. On the return journey there is time for a visit to Ballinahown , an artisan craft village. Dinner on board.

Tuesday - Athlone to Shannonbridge
After breakfast, Shannon Princess descends through Athlone Lock and heads south through Europe’s richest example of “Callow” landscape, countryside little changed in over 1,000 years. This is one of Ireland’s premier Wildfowl Reserves. We moor at Clonmacnoise ruins, a famed 6th century university and early Christian settlement. We lunch on board en route to Shannonbridge arriving mid-afternoon at this typical Irish riverside town. After lunch 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 in to 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. After dinner on board, join the captain for a pint in Killeen's pub for some Irish music whilst we pass time with the locals.

Wednesday - Shannonbridge to Terryglass
This morning, we cruise a very pretty stretch of the River Shannon with an ever-changing landscape drifting by. Travelling 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 . This afternoon we visit Birr Castle, still resided in by Lord Rosse and his family, to see the magnificent gardens, the fascinating Science Centre and admire the historic Great Telescope. Dinner on board.

Thursday - Terryglass to Mountshannon
A full day excursion to Galway City – a lively University City and cultural centre for Irish speaking regions in Western Ireland. Visit the Galway crystal, craft and linen shops and then lunch at a traditional Guinness & Oyster pub. Return to Shannon Princess and set sail across 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 . Dinner on board.

Friday - Mountshannon to Killaloe
This morning we set sail through south Lough Derg and her many islands re-joining the River Shannon and entering Killaloe , once home to the court of the greatest High King of Ireland, Brian Boru . We moor on the Tipperary side of this elegant little town, with plenty of time for you to explore. After lunch on board, we set off by private minibus on our excursion to a unique project set in the grounds of Craganowen Castle, designed to bring Bronze Age & Celtic culture to life. Also on display is a reconstructed hide boat used by Irish Monks to sail to North America in the 5th . century. Later in the afternoon, we visit a traditional Irish hand weavers workshop and studio, where guests will experience a step back in time, while also learning how these thriving small cottage industries are dealing with technology and the future. Captains Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday - 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.

**The designated meeting and drop off point is Dublin. Other options are available for charter groups.