SHANNON PRINCESS II - All inclusive Irish luxury barge cruise vacation holidays aboard the Shannon Princess cruising the Lower Shannon River in Ireland- Paradise Connections

SHANNON PRINCESS II

- Standard Itinerary -

Irish luxury barge vacation river cruises
The Lower Shannon river, Ireland

Guests shall be met at 3.00pm at Dublin city centre hotel and transferred by coach to the Shannon Princess at Quigley’s Marina. Your Captain and his crew welcome you onboard the delightful Shannon Princess with Champagne, Black Velvets or Irish Coffees!

This morning we begin our cruise around the beautiful “Inner Lakes” of Lough Ree and then continue north to Lough Ree as we explore some of the 365 islands on the lake. We then circle back to the river and on to our mooring in Athlone Town. After lunch we depart by bus to Belvedere House and Gardens. Here we enjoy a guided tour of the house giving an insight into the “upstairs downstairs” life in the 18th century.

The Shannon Princess descends through Athlone Lock and heads south through Europe’s richest example of “Callow” landscape. The countryside has changed little in over 1000 years. This is one of Ireland’s premier wildfowl reserves. We moor at the ruins of Clonmacnoise, a famed 6th century university and early Christian settlement. After a visit to the interpretative centre, we enjoy lunch onboard whilst cruising to Shannon Bridge, arriving mid-afternoon at this typical Irish riverside town. Shortly after arrival we depart by bus to Leap Castle, reputed to be Ireland’s most haunted house. You will be greeted by Sean Ryan and his family who will invite you in to their unusual home and Sean, a renowned musician, will tell you the fascinating history of the castle and the part it played in founding the American Constitution. Sean will gladly play a few tunes with possibly the added bonus of being joined by his talented young daughter who will demonstrate her amazing dancing skills.

We travel a very pretty stretch of the Shannon with an ever-changing landscape slipping by. Travelling down through Meelick lock, we pause as Portumna swing bridge is opened to allow the Shannon Princess passage onto idyllic Lough Derg. We moor at Terryglass Harbour. Time to explore this charming hamlet before an afternoon excursion to Birr Castle with its glorious landscaped gardens dating from 17th century, the family seat of the Earls of Ross. Lunch in The Derg Inn in the village.

A full day excursion to Galway City – a lively university city and cultural centre for Irish speaking regions in Western Ireland. Visit Galway Crystal and a profusion of craft and linen shops. Lunch at a traditional Guinness & oyster pub. Return to Shannon Princess and set sail through the especially beautiful Lough Derg, passing Forrest Park and ancient mountains as we set our course for Mountshannon – a lovely lakeside village perched above the Lough.

This morning we sail through south Lough Derg and her many islands rejoining the River Shannon and entering Killaloe, once home to the court of the greatest High King of Ireland, Brian Boru. We moor on the Tipperary side of this elegant little town. After lunch we set off on our excursion to a unique project set in the grounds of Graggaunowen Castle, designed to bring Bronze Age & 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.

After a leisurely breakfast, we depart the Shannon Princess and travel to the Dublin airport or the Aberdeen Lodge Hotel.

NOTE: On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction. Itineraries are subject to change.