River Shannon & Lakelands

Naturally the best way to explore this watery region, the most popular canoe trail is 80 km and stretches all the way from Shannon bridge in County Offaly to the twin towns of Killaloe and Ballina on the Clare-Tipperary border. Lovers of wildlife won't want to miss this opportunity to get so close to nature. If time is on your side, stop off for a hearty pub lunch along the way.

All-weather cyclists will enjoy the Shannon Corridor's seven cycle routes, some of which reach as far as to the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. The route between Milltown Malbay and Doolin in west Clare is considered among the best cycling routes in the world.

Cruise up the River as our ancestors did - by boat. Renting a boat allows you to relax as you sail by beautiful landscapes. Another advantage is the ability to stop wherever takes your fancy.

Landlubbers will have plenty to choose from in the form of the Shannon Waterway Walks. 1: The Medieval Limerick Walking Trail weaves its way through the medieval quarter of the city, passing Anglo-Norman influenced buildings all the way. 2. The Lough Derg Way, where old whiskey stills and idyllic views of Youghal Bay are just some of the highlights. 3. Glenafelly Eco Walk is a perfect opportunity to lose yourself in the country's natural beauty.

Any road trip in Ireland will invariably pass through the Shannon region. If you find yourself in Limerick, start at the river’s end and arrive in rugged north Kerry by following the southern coastline of the estuary. It is thanks to the river’s water that this region is so green, so enjoy the scenery by taking your sweet time on a scenic tour from Kittycloghar to Mohill in County Leitrim. The Shannon Erne Tour starts in Carrick-on-Shannon, Ballinamore, Carrigallen, Dromod, Jamestown and returns to Carrick-On-Shannon in the end, with a length of approx 92km. Carrick-on-Shannon, the cruising capital, is home to the smallest chapel in Europe, while Ballinamore is an angler’s paradise with 40 lakes in a 10 km radius. The Lough Rynn estate in Mohill features 100 acres of rare woodland and exotic walled ornamental gardens, whereas Dromod houses the Cavan and Leitrim Railway. Jamestown, in the and, and named after King James 1, was a walled and fortified city that still holds one of the gates until today.