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What is Discover the Shannon?
Discover the Shannon is a booking and planning site for boating holidays on Ireland's River Shannon and connected waterways. It presents a fleet of cruisers and barges alongside named cruise packages and regional guides, so you can match a boat and a route to the kind of trip you want.
What you can do on the site
- Choose a base region. The destination guides split the waterway into the Upper Shannon, Mid-Shannon, Lough Derg, the Shannon–Erne Waterway and Lough Erne. Each entry names typical starting towns — Carrick-on-Shannon in the north, Banagher and Portumna for the middle stretches and Lough Derg, Ballinamore for the canal route.
- Pick a boat. Listings include named classes such as Shannon Star, Horizon 4, Longford Class, Linssen 350AC, Silver Shadow, Wave Duke and Wave Princess, plus cruisers and barges for the canal.
- Pick a package. Ready-made itineraries include the Lough Derg Trail, Weekend Family Cruise, Lough Erne Cruise, Barging Along the Canal, Family Adventure Cruise, and the northern and southern "Taste of the Shannon" routes.
- Look for discounts. Special offers such as early-booking discounts, extra nights on longer hires and midweek deals are grouped in one section.
Who it suits
The site is aimed at people who want a self-drive inland waterway holiday rather than a crewed cruise. The Shannon–Erne Waterway, with its 16 locks, and the barge options point to two different audiences: experienced boaters who enjoy working locks, and slower-paced groups happy to move short distances. Families and weekenders are clearly served by the short-trail packages.
How to choose
| If you want | Start with |
|---|---|
| A short break with villages and scenery | Lough Derg trail from Banagher or Portumna |
| Locks, canal pace and a challenge | Shannon–Erne Waterway by cruiser or barge |
| A northern loop with lakes and islands | Upper Shannon from Carrick-on-Shannon |
| To cross into Northern Ireland | Lough Erne itineraries |
A practical next step is to decide your starting town first, then filter the boat list and special offers around it — travel time between bases is the factor most likely to shape whether a week feels relaxed or rushed. For official tourism and waterway information, see Discover Ireland and Waterways Ireland.
How do I choose the right starting point for a Shannon cruise?
Match the starting point to the kind of water and pace you want, not to the shortest drive. The site groups the Shannon into distinct regions, and each one begins from a different base: Carrick on Shannon for the Upper Shannon, Banagher for the Mid-Shannon, Banagher or Portumna for Lough Derg, and Ballinamore for the Shannon–Erne Waterway. Pick the region first, then the town.
Match your trip to a base
| If you want | Consider starting at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lakes, islands and winding countryside, with plenty of activity | Carrick on Shannon | The Upper Shannon is described as one of the most popular areas to visit |
| Flexibility to go north or south, plus historic sites | Banagher | Mid-Shannon base with routes to the Upper Shannon or Lough Derg, near Clonmacnoise, Athlone and Shannonbridge |
| Dramatic scenery and village-hopping | Banagher or Portumna | Lough Derg has nine villages from Terryglass to Killaloe, and the Lough Derg trail suits a weekend |
| Locks, canal cruising and a slow pace | Ballinamore | The Shannon–Erne Waterway has 16 locks and runs through the Cavan lakes toward the Erne or Leitrim Village |
| A longer run into Northern Ireland | The Shannon–Erne Waterway | It connects onward to Lough Erne in County Fermanagh |
Practical decision criteria
- Time available: A weekend points to a compact area such as the Lough Derg trail. A week or more opens up cross-region routes, for example Banagher north to the Upper Shannon or south to Lough Derg.
- Crew experience: The 16-lock Shannon–Erne Waterway is described as one for the boating enthusiast, so it suits crews comfortable with lock work. Beginners may prefer a single-lake or single-river stretch.
- Boat type: The waterway can be done by cruiser or barge; a barge naturally suits the "slow and steady" character of that route.
- Return vs. one-way: If you must return the boat to its base, choose a region small enough to explore out and back within your days. If one-way is possible, a through-route such as the Shannon–Erne Waterway makes more sense.
- Interests: History and monastic sites favour the Mid-Shannon; villages and scenery favour Lough Derg; a mix of lakes and countryside favours the Upper Shannon.
A useful next step
Sketch a rough loop on a map for your chosen base and count the hours, not the kilometres, between stops. Then check the cruise packages and special offers listed on Discover the Shannon to see whether a themed itinerary or a discounted period already matches the region you picked. If two bases look equally good, choose the one whose region you would be happy to explore even if you never left it.
What are the differences between the Upper Shannon, Mid-Shannon, and Lough Derg routes?
The three areas are best understood as different cruising zones on the same river system. The Upper Shannon is the liveliest and most varied; the Mid-Shannon is the most flexible crossroads; Lough Derg is the most scenic and village-focused.
Upper Shannon
- Character: Lakes, islands and winding countryside around Carrick-on-Shannon.
- Best for: First-time boaters and groups who want plenty of activity and choice.
- Trade-off: It is described as one of the most popular areas, so expect more traffic and busier moorings in high season.
Mid-Shannon
- Character: A central stretch based around Banagher, with historic sites such as Clonmacnoise and the towns of Athlone and Shannonbridge, plus Lough Ree.
- Best for: Cruisers who want options in both directions — north to the Upper Shannon or south to Lough Derg.
- Trade-off: It is a through-route rather than a single destination, so you need to plan which way to go rather than simply drifting.
Lough Derg
- Character: Dramatic scenery with nine villages from Terryglass to Killaloe, starting from Banagher or Portumna.
- Best for: A relaxed weekend break built around the Lough Derg trail, village stops and short hops.
- Trade-off: It is more about the lake and its shoreline than about covering distance, so it suits a slower pace.
Quick comparison
| Area | Starting point | Feel | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Shannon | Carrick-on-Shannon | Busy, varied, lake-and-island scenery | First trips, families, social cruising |
| Mid-Shannon | Banagher | Central, historic, flexible | Longer routes, sightseeing, choosing a direction |
| Lough Derg | Banagher or Portumna | Scenic, village-led, compact | Weekends, relaxed pace, short cruises |
How to choose
If you want the widest choice of stops and don't mind company, start in the Upper Shannon. If you want to combine history with the freedom to head either north or south, base yourself on the Mid-Shannon. If you have only a weekend and want scenery plus pretty villages without long cruising days, choose Lough Derg.
A useful next step is to look at the site's cruise packages and special offers, since these often bundle a route with a set duration and can make the choice concrete. For a longer trip, note that the Shannon–Erne Waterway and Lough Erne extend beyond these three areas; the waterway has 16 locks and suits boating enthusiasts, while Lough Erne in County Fermanagh is Northern Ireland's most popular waterway. You can compare options through Discover the Shannon.
Can I take a boating holiday on the Shannon Erne Waterway or Lough Erne?
Yes. The site organises boating holidays across both, and treats them as two distinct experiences: the Shannon Erne Waterway for lock-working enthusiasts, and Lough Erne for a gentler, history-and-villages cruise.
Shannon Erne Waterway
The site describes this stretch as suitable for cruiser or barge, with 16 locks, and calls it "one for the boating enthusiast." Start points it names include Ballinamore, heading through the Cavan lakes into the Erne, or south to Leitrim Village. Pace is described as slow and steady.
Lough Erne
In County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, the site calls it the region's most popular waterway, with villages and attractions from Belleek in the north to Belturbet in the south. It also lists a "Lough Erne Cruise" among its packages, so it can be booked as a set itinerary rather than a DIY route.
How to choose
| If you want | Consider |
|---|---|
| Active lock work and a sense of achievement | Shannon Erne Waterway |
| Easy cruising, villages and historic stops | Lough Erne |
| A structured route rather than planning your own | A named cruise package |
| To combine both | A one-way route via the waterway |
A practical next step: pick your start point first, because it constrains everything else. Ballinamore suits the waterway; the Erne side is reached through it. If you are new to locks, note that 16 of them on the waterway is a real workload across a short break — either allow more days or treat the waterway as a one-way passage rather than a there-and-back trip. For a first boating holiday, Lough Erne or the Lough Derg trail mentioned on the same site is the lower-effort option.
For route maps and hire bases, see Discover the Shannon and, for Northern Ireland's inland waterways, Waterways Ireland.
What cruise packages and special offers are available for a Shannon boat hire?
The site lists cruise packages and special offers as separate sections, with the package names themselves doing most of the describing. For a boating holiday on the Shannon, that split matters: packages are route-and-duration ideas, while offers are price or length incentives you apply to a booking.
Cruise packages named on the site
- Lough Derg Trail Weekend — a short break built around Lough Derg, which the site describes as sitting among Ireland's most dramatic scenery, with nine villages between Terryglass and Killaloe.
- Family Weekend and Family Adventure Cruise — weekend and family-oriented options.
- Lough Erne Cruise — aimed at Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, described as Northern Ireland's most popular waterway, with villages from Belleek in the north to Belturbet in the south.
- Barging Along the Canal — a barge-style option, matching the site's note that the Shannon–Erne Waterway can be experienced by cruiser or barge.
- Taste of the Shannon Cruise North and Taste of the Shannon Cruise South — shorter sampler routes in each direction.
- Ancient Ireland Cruise — a themed itinerary.
Special offers named on the site
- Gift Voucher
- Carrik Craft — 10 nights for 7
- 10% Early Booking Discount
- Silverline — extra night for short breaks
- 15% off Emerald Cruisers
- Midweek Special Offer
- Silverline — 10 nights for 7
- 10% off Aug–Oct
How to choose between them
The packages are geographically anchored, so pick the region first, then the package. The site's destinations section frames the choice clearly:
| Region | Starting point named | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Shannon | Carrick-on-Shannon | Lakes, islands and winding countryside; described as one of the most popular areas |
| Mid-Shannon | Banagher | Flexible north/south travel; Clonmacnoise, Athlone, Shannonbridge, Lough Ree |
| Lough Derg | Banagher or Portumna | A weekend break; dramatic scenery and nine villages |
| Shannon–Erne Waterway | Ballinamore | Boating enthusiasts; 16 locks, Cavan lakes, Leitrim Village |
| Lough Erne | County Fermanagh | History-focused cruising, Belleek to Belturbet |
A practical next step: decide whether you want a short break or a longer cruise, then match it to a region. A family wanting a relaxed weekend would do better with the Lough Derg Trail Weekend or a Family Weekend than with the Shannon–Erne Waterway, which the site presents as slower and lock-heavy and therefore more suited to experienced boaters. If your dates are fixed in August to October, the 10% off Aug–Oct offer and the Silverline 10-nights-for-7 offer are the ones that directly reduce cost or add nights; early bookers should look at the 10% Early Booking Discount. Check the individual offer pages for the boats and dates each one applies to, since the site lists boats separately under Shannon Star, Horizon 4, Longford Class, Horizon, Linssen 350AC, Silver Shadow, Wave Duke and Wave Princess.
How do I book a Shannon cruise or contact Discover the Shannon?
Booking a Shannon cruise through Discover the Shannon starts with choosing a route and a boat, then contacting the operator directly to confirm availability. The site is organised so you can pick a destination first and a cruise package second, which is the order most people find easiest when planning a boating holiday in Ireland.
Pick your route before you enquire
The destinations listed on the site are the practical starting point, because each one suits a different length of trip and level of boating experience:
- Upper Shannon – centred on Carrick on Shannon, with lakes, islands and winding countryside. Described as one of the most popular areas, so it suits first-timers and shorter breaks.
- Mid-Shannon – starting from Banagher, with Clonmacnoise, Athlone, Shannonbridge and Lough Ree. Good if you want flexibility to travel north or south.
- Lough Derg – reachable from Banagher or Portumna, with nine villages from Terryglass to Killaloe and a dedicated Lough Derg trail for a weekend break.
- Shannon Erne Waterway – 16 locks, best for boating enthusiasts, by cruiser or barge, from Ballinamore through the Cavan lakes.
- Lough Erne – in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, with villages from Belleek to Belturbet.
Match a cruise package to your group
The packages give you a ready-made itinerary rather than a blank map. Examples on the site include the Lough Derg Trail Weekend, Family Weekend Cruise, Lough Erne Cruise, Barging Along the Canal, Family Adventure Cruise, and the Taste of the Shannon North and South cruises. If you are travelling with children, the family options remove much of the planning; if you want a slower pace, the canal and barge options are the better fit.
How to make contact
Use the Contact Us link in the site's header, or the About Us and FAQ's pages, to reach the operator with your dates, group size and preferred route. The Press link is for media enquiries rather than bookings.
When you get in touch, have these details ready:
- Your preferred destination and package.
- Travel dates and number of nights.
- Number of adults and children.
- Whether you want a cruiser or a barge.
- Any special offers you have seen, such as early booking discounts or extra-night deals, so they can confirm current terms.
A practical next step
Check the Special Offers page before you enquire and mention the specific offer by name. Offers come and go, and the ones listed on the site — early booking discounts, extra nights on short breaks, and similar deals — are the quickest way to reduce the cost of a peak-season week. If your dates are flexible, ask which departure bases have the best availability, since Carrick on Shannon and Banagher are the busiest starting points.
For general context on Irish inland waterways, Discover Ireland covers regions and attractions, but all booking details for these cruises should come directly from the operator via the contact page.
Dublin, Leinster, Ireland
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