Make a comment
Larger Text
Print
E-mailCruising the magical waterways of Ireland
Gallery / Cruising the inland waterways of Ireland / Click here
Ireland's inland waterways, with that magical chemistry of water, nature and fresh air, are a beautiful way to see the country.
Unlike sailing on the sea, the scenery is constantly changing and there is so much to see that you might just spend all your vacation on board!
As you meander peacefully around river bends, along canals with their beautifully engineered bridges and locks and through beautiful lakes dotted with islands, the cares of the modern world can very easily just slip away.
You’re far too busy keeping an eye out for otters, the magical blue flash of a Kingfisher or that village pub you were in last year, the one owned by the beautiful older woman who is on first-name terms with half the writers, artists, musicians and judges in Ireland.
That of course is the attraction of inland waterways - you can sail for hundreds of miles but are never far from shore-side comforts.
More good news for the would-be boater is that you don’t need much in the way of experience nor do you need to own a boat. There are plenty of boat hire companies who will get you on the water in whatever level of luxury you desire, or can afford. They’ll also teach how to go boating safely and confidently.
The River Shannon
The River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland, is the backbone of Ireland’s inland waterway system and is navigable for over 120 miles.
Cruising these waters is one of those life-changing experiences that brings people back time and again. The Shannon has it all really – quiet backwaters, ancient monuments, fantastic fishing and scenery that will knock your socks off. It flows through lakes and around islands, passes busy towns and quiet villages all of which have their own particular charms and places of interest.
There is a special thrill in mooring up (that’s sailor’s talk for parking) at a waterside pub or restaurant, to enjoy good food and the company of like-minded people in some of the best pubs and restaurants in the country. The Shannon has many such establishments along its shores and these could in themselves be the making of a fine nautical/ gastronomic adventure.
The Shannon-Erne Waterway
The restoration of the 40 miles of river, lakes and canal that make up the Shannon-Erne Waterway was completed in 1994 and was for many reasons an historic event. It was one of the first ever cross- border projects and proved that people from both sides of the border could, working together, achieve great things.
