Forget the queues and stress of airports this Summer….and travel in elegant style with a cruise on the River Shannon with Silver Line Cruisers. We recently celebrated 50 years in the business and are delighted to be one of the premium Shannon cruising companies providing boat rental in Ireland.
Centrally located in Banagher, County Offaly, we are a local, family run business with huge attention to detail and friendly hospitality. We offer a luxurious, new fleet of boats for every size catered for – from 2 up to 12 berths. All of the boats have their own galley Kitchen fully fitted out, WC and showers, inside seating and outside sun deck area. Our fleet are carefully chosen for their ease in maneuverability, cosy interior living spaces in contemporary hues. It’s safe to say that many decide not to leave their boat and prefer to relax in luxury onboard, as they float past the green lush countryside, towns and villages, historic landmarks, hiking trails and other attractions on the shores of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
Suggested 7 night itinerary below:
Day 1: Pick up your boat- Banagher – Clonmacnoise
We will meet you at Banagher Marina and after your Silver Line Cruisers expert instruction, head off to past Shannonbridge and past the historic and ancient wonder of Clonmacnoise. The site is one of the best preserved monastic settlements in Europe and features nine churches and two stunning round towers dramatically set along the winding river. Moor up and take a closer look as you step back in time at the excellent interactive visitor centre before wandering amid the awe-inspiring ruins.
Back on board and continue onto Athlone. Moor up and take a stroll to the Athlone Castle and Visitor Centre (info@athlonecastle.ie), situated around the town’s historic 13th century fortress, originally built as a Shannon defense point. Here, you can chart the town’s fascinating history from the neo-lithic to modern era, all thanks to its labyrinth of awesome artefacts and interactive exhibitions.
Athlone is stacked with excellent family-friendly restaurants guaranteed to satisfy all tastes, moods and budgets. Thinking pizza? Il Colloseo is an authentic Italian restaurant that’s popular with locals while the Left Bank Bistro offers excellent contemporary Irish cuisine and have a great kids menu too (think tasty hake goujons).
For a quicker bite, Loaves and Fishes café or Left Bank Bistro is a great casual spot to feast on fajitas and sandwiches.
Alfresco dining on board & overnight
Enjoy sunsets from your boat as you are moored up and on-board dining from your galley kitchen. Sleep well under the stars.
Day 2: Discovering legends of the Shannon – Athlone /Hodson Bay
Breakfast on board and make a leisurely motor to the shores of Lough Ree (otherwise known as the Lake of Kings). The Hodson Bay Hotel (hodsonbayhotel.com), located just alongside Baysports, is Ireland’s largest lakeside resort, making it a perfect base to eat and relax during your break.
So drop anchor and relax on your boat and check out the fun aqua sports on offer from SUPs to kayaks to challenging yourself on Ireland’s inflatable waterpark.
For dinner, make for the the hotel’s Waterfront Carvery Bar and unwind with a great family meal. Fresh local ingredients take pride here, as does the bar’s own kids menu, with options from freshly-baked lasagna to gooey chocolate brownies.
Sleep wonderfully well back on board your cosy boat, moored up at Hodson Bay.
Day 3: Relax on Board / On-shore Visit to Derryglad Folk Museum /Dromod
Following breakfast alfresco onboard your boat, take a gentle dip in the water. Then, pop ashore and ask the hotel to book you a taxi to take you to the Derryglad Folk Museum (only 12 mins by taxi/9.6KM) (derrygladfolkmuseum.com). A particularly fun attraction for multi-generational families, here you’ll learn all about life in Ireland fadó fadó thanks to authentic exhibits from a yesteryear grocery store to, literally, an old-school. Fun, photo opps guaranteed!
Power on to the postcard village of Dromod. The village features a charming signposted nature walkway where you can stretch your legs before enjoying lunch in one of the village’s impressive restaurants. Try the Brandywell for their delicious dishes or Harkins Café, a popular local option for tasty bites like salads or quiches. Or dine in style at Cox’s Steakhouse.
Day 4: Dromod / Carrick On Shannon
Power onto Carrick-On-Shannon and explore the highlights of this lively Leitrim town. Start by heading to the quirky Olive Tree Café (https://www.theolivetreecafe.ie/) on Market Yard where you can pick up a coffee or ginger beer before wandering the town’s attractions. Don’t miss the Costello Chapel, said to be Europe’s smallest church at just over 3m wide!
Visiting on a Thursday? At The Market Yard Centre Farmers’ Market (https://www.themarketyardcentre.com/), you can stock up on up fresh eggs, farmhouse cheeses, homemade boxty and even fresh fish — if you’re not planning on catching your own, that is…..
Alongside the marina, pay a visit to The Dock, a visual arts centre showcasing edgy exhibits which wouldn’t look out of place in a London or Berlin gallery. There’s also a café and a gorgeous little gift shop with crafts made in Leitrim and its hinterland.
Day 5: Depart Carrick-On-Shannon to Tarmonbarry
Leave Carrick-On-Shannon. After navigating the scenic waterways, continue cruising until you reach your base for the night, Tarmonbarry in Co. Roscommon. Once berthed, the village’s Purple Onion restaurant, which also features an art gallery, makes a fine place to dine. Menu options like gin-laced watermelon with feta or forest mushroom & blue cheese risotto have made this restaurant a worthy award-winner.
Day 6: Tarmonbarry to Glasson (either Lakehouse or Wineport Lodge)
AM
Come morning, enjoy some birding along Tarmonbarry’s Harbour Road or take the scenic 5km round trek across the river to the neighbouring village of Clondra, the starting point of the historic Royal Canal. Once back on your cruiser, continue south between the banks of Longford and Roscommon until you reach the majestic shores of Lough Ree, the ‘Lake of Kings’ and Ireland’s fifth largest lake.
PM
Moor up and sleep peacefully in your cruiser.
Day 7: Wineport Lodge / Shannonbridge /Banager
Once you’ve navigated your way to the southern shores of Lough Ree, treat yourself to a blissful afternoon of pampering at the renowned Wineport Lodge. For lunch, visit either the on-site Bay Café or the Waterfront Bar located in the Hodson Bay Hotel, just next door. At Wineport Lodge, you can enjoy a luxury treatment at the hotel’s lakeside spa — perhaps a hot stone massage or a Voya seaweed bath with bubbly to really soothe the soul? Afterwards, enjoy lunch on the terrace of their famous restaurant.
Power onto Shannonbridge and enjoy the walk across the river to the Shannonbridge Fortifications which were built by the British in the 18th century to guard the region against Napoleonic attack. They also feature a gift shop and charming riverside café. Treat yourself to a pint in the famouse Fallon’s Pub with delicious food from the Organic Kitchen and Lukers.
Travel onto Banagher Marina (only one hour from Shannonbridge) and explore its sights. Enjoy dinner in Flynn’s Restaurant or Crank Rd Café and enjoy music in the famous traditional pub of JJ Hough’s.
Cosy down in your cruiser for your final night.
Day 8 –Banager Marina and drop off your boat
Enjoy a breakfast alfresco on board and return your boat by 10.00am.
Instagram moments…
From historic Sean’s Bar in Athlone, to the charmingly rustic Luker’s in Shannonbridge, the gorgeous pub facades of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands well deserve some tiles on your feed!
For more information, visit www.silverlinecruisers.com or contact us via email info@silverlinecruisers.com.
