5 Days – Rent a Cruiser
One of the best ways to spend five days on the water in the Lakelands Lough Derg is by renting a cruiser. Cruisers are available through Emerald Star /Le Boat in Portumna. Set off from Portumna in your cruiser and stop off in the lively villages along the way. Harbour facilities are excellent all around the lake and the village pub is always close by to serve food and listen to a traditional Irish Music session. Circumnavigate the lake at your own pace over five days by staying over in harbours such as Terryglass, Dromineer, Garrykennedy, Killaloe, Mountshannon, Dromaan & Scarriff before returning to Portumna.
1 day – Rent a Boat
Rent a Tirion Keel or Sheelin Lake Boat from one of the providers around the lakeside such as Shannon Sailing in Dromineer and take to the water yourself. For families with children the Tirion is an ideal day-cruiser.The cockpit offers plenty of space and the good freeboard provides a secure feel. The cozy cabin is great for kids to play or sit in. The Sheelin Lake boats are renowned for their stability and safety. Used on the many lakes within Ireland they offer plenty of space for 4 adults. Setting off from Dromineer visit Larkin’s Bar & Restaurant in Garrykennedy for lunch and travel across the water to Mountshannon and the blue flag beach for the afternoon before returning to Dromineer.
1 day – Have a day of adventure at University of Limerick Activity Centre (ULAC)
If there’s a group of you visiting the Lakelands Lough Derg then there’s no better way to have an active and energetic day out on the lake than a day spent at ULAC. Catering mainly for groups ULAC offers sailing, canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and wind surfing experiences. Located a couple of minutes from Killaloe Ballina you can choose to stay over in a variety of accommodation in the heritage towns from hotel to B&B’s.
½ Day – Try Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP)
Stand Up Paddling is the latest craze to hit Ireland and the Lakelands Lough Derg is the perfect place to try it. SUP originated in Hawaii and it’s a variation of surfing. It uses large, very buoyant boards and long light-weight paddles. You stand on the board and use the paddle to propel yourself. Because the boards are so buoyant and stable it makes the sport incredibly easy to learn. Try it in the canal at Killaloe with service providers Soulkite.
½ Day – Visit Holy Island
Holy Island, in Lough Derg in County Clare, is one of the most famous monastic sites in Ireland. Its many attractions include a well preserved Round Tower, the ruins of six churches and a bargaining stone where marriage vows are still renewed. Pilgrims from all over the world come to visit the Monastic site on Holy Island also referred to Inis Cealtra. People from Clare are still laid to rest in the cemetery on Holy Island just off the shoreline on Lough Derg. You can visit the Island by getting on one of the boats that depart from Mountshannon.
