Itinerary
Day 1 - Dublin
Meet your host at 3PM 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.
Day 2 - Banagher
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.
Day 3 - Terryglass
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.
Day 4 - Galway City
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.
Day 5 - Craggaunowen Castle
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 Craggaunowen 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.
Day 6 - Killaloe
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.
Day 7 - Killaloe/Dublin
You will be transferred from the vessel in Killaloe to Dublin airport.
Travel Dates & Rates, Ask Agent
- Note: From pricing is per person based on double occupancy and does not include airfare. The itinerary is in the reverse direction every other cruise week. Itineraries are subject to change due to canal/river conditions and are at the sole discretion of the captain.
Prices subject to change without notice until time of deposit. All dollar values not denoted as US or CA are in US Dollars. |
