7 day locally hosted
10 passenger hotel barge

The ten-passenger Shannon Princess II is the largest hotel barge cruising the Lower Shannon. She is the essence of Irish hospitality and offers well-balanced, comfortable accommodations. Her experienced captain and crew go out of their way to ensure your every need is served. Your chef was trained at the Ballymaloe School and distinguishes herself at every meal with signature dishes like parcels of wild salmon, roast of spring lamb, variations of shellfish stew with fresh herbs, and of course, a grand selection of desserts.

Sunday Dublin D
Meet your host at 3:00 PM at a Dublin city center hotel and transfer by coach to the Shannon Princess II at her charming castleside mooring in the heart of Athlone. Athlone is a flourishing riverside and garrison town, dating from the 13th century. Your captain and his crew welcome you onboard this delightful barge with champagne, Black Velvets or Irish Coffees.

Monday Banagher BLD
Cruise down through Athlone Lock and head south through countryside little changed in over 1000 years. This is one of Ireland’s premier wildfowl reserves. Moor at Clonmacnoise ruins, a famed 6th century university and early Christian settlement. After a visit to the interpretive center, lunch is served on board enroute to Banagher arriving mid-afternoon. The coach takes you to the narrow gauge bog railway for a fascinating insight into the unique boglands of Ireland. Dinner on board.

Tuesday Terryglass BLD
Today you cruise a very pretty stretch of the Shannon with an ever-changing landscape slipping by. Traveling down through Meelick lock, the boat pauses as the Portumna swing bridge opens to allow passage onto idyllic Lough Derg. The boat moors at Terryglass Harbour, where you disembark to explore this charming hamlet. An afternoon excursion takes you to Birr Castle with its glorious landscaped gardens, dating from 17th century and family seat of the Earls of Ross. Lunch is in The Derg Inn in the village.

Wednesday Galway City BLD
A full day excursion to Galway City, a lively university city and cultural center for Irish- speaking regions in Western Ireland. Visit Galway crystal and a plethora of craft and linen shops. Lunch is at a traditional Guinness and oysters pub. Return to Shannon Princess II for dinner.

Thursday Graggaunowen Castle BLD
You sail south through the lovely Lough Derg, passing forest park and ancient mountains as the cruise takes you to Mountshannon, a lovely lakeside village perched above the Lough. The afternoon exploration is to a unique project set in the grounds of Graggaunowen Castle, designed to bring Bronze Age and 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. Dinner on board.

Friday Killaloe BLD
This morning you cruise through south Lough Derg, rejoining the River Shannon and entering Killaloe, once home to the court of the greatest High King of Ireland, Brian Boru. Moor on the Tipperary side of this elegant little town. Pay a visit that afternoon to the famous Hunt Museum housed in Limerick City. Extra optional activities in the afternoon include a visit to Tinaranna House Spa, where you can pamper yourself with sauna, massage, aromatherapy and other spa services. Interested in fishing, the captain can hire a private fishing boat and guide? Tonight's farewell dinner ends your cruise in style.

Saturday Killaloe/Dublin B
You will be transferred from the vessel in Killaloe to Dublin airport.

Note: Itinerary operates in reverse on alternate weeks.