Classic Irish River Cruise aboard Shannon Princess

Your Shannon Princess journey begins when your barge host meets you at 3pm at our designated hotel. You are transferred by our private coach to the Shannon Princess, waiting for you in beautiful Killaloe, County Tipperary. In keeping with the ethos of the family-owned and managed Shannon Princess, you receive one of the warmest welcomes in European barging and enjoy a champagne reception to toast the special days ahead. There’s time to relax on deck and meet up with fellow guests as you watch the world float gently by and ease into your first gourmet dinner on board. While in Killaloe, you also have plenty of time to explore its charming riverside setting - once home to the court of Brian Boru, the 11th-century High King of Ireland.

You begin the day with a scenic drive to the grand and glamorous Adare Manor – the former seat of the Earl of Dunraven and dating back to the 17th century. Here on the banks of the River Maigue you are treated to an impressive display of some of the world’s most majestic birds of prey – including falcons, hawks, owls, and eagles. You enjoy the privilege of getting up close and personal to these magnificent creatures and experience the magic of flying some of these awe-inspiring birds freely to the glove. All while taking in the estate's magnificent walled garden, parklands and surrounding woods. You return to Shannon Princess and cruise through the beautiful countryside – as old as time and unchanged through the years. There are so many treasures to tempt you as we go – from ancient relics, first-class fishing to abundant bird life, and unforgettable scenery. We cruise through the fjord-like reaches of the River Shannon and enter Lough Derg passing Holy Island - once a monastic settlement and complete with Irish round tower and ruined churches. Continuing westwards we head towards the charming estate village of Mountshannon, perched high above the Lough and renowned for its stunning scenery and gorgeous walks. Once moored, we step back in time and treat you to a visit to a traditional hand weaver’s workshop and studio. Since early Ireland, the skills of spinning and weaving have been important trades – and you see for yourself how today’s thriving artisan industry has adapted to technology and the future. You close the day with a gourmet dinner on board, and perhaps a romantic moonlit ramble along the riverbank.

As the day begins, we cruise leisurely north through the countryside rich with lake and shoreline scenery. We ease towards the eastern shore of the Shannon and moor at the charming hamlet of Terryglass – a lively little village that has proudly twice-won the highly coveted national prize of ‘Ireland’s Tidiest Town’. After lunch in the village, you take an unforgettable visit to Leap Castle - once home to one of America’s founding fathers, John Carroll, and reputed to be Ireland's most haunted house. Here you’re hosted by the renowned musician Sean Ryan and his family - who showcase their history-steeped home and authentic Irish culture.

This morning we leave the Shannon Princess bound for an excursion to the Walled Kitchen Gardens of Portumna Castle, which dates back to the early 17th Century. Continuing our journey, we arrive in Galway - a lively university town and the heartbeat of Irish speaking regions in the west of Ireland. Here you indulge in a delicious lunch at an authentic Guinness & Oyster Bar – and enjoy time to browse and explore the colourful shops and streets. Returning to the Shannon Princess you’re served a delicious gourmet dinner, as we cruise on through countryside dotted with crumbling ivy-covered ruins, medieval garrisons and sleepy market villages. As the evening sets, we moor at Banagher, enjoying sundowners on deck or the chance to explore.

The Shannon Princess meanders up the Shannon towards the riverside town of Athlone - stopping en route to visit Clonmacnoise, a famed 6th century university and early Christian settlement. Continuing, we cruise through ‘The Callows’ – an area of lush grazing meadows and one of Europe’s richest landscapes with premier wild fowl and fauna reserves. You see and admire how little has changed here, for almost 1,000 years. As evening sets in we moor in the lively, bustling town of Athlone, which sits at the very heart of Ireland. Here you explore at your leisure – and enjoy plenty of time for shopping, antiquing or a visit to any of the town’s impromptu traditional music pubs. Why not visit Ireland’s oldest bar – Sean’s? But be sure to return to the Shannon Princess for gourmet dinner!

Relax and unwind as we float around the beautiful ‘inner lakes’ of Lough Ree - passing stately riverside homes and some of the area’s 365 wooded islands. We moor at the pretty Quigley’s Marina, giving you the opportunity to explore the picturesque Glasson village - known as ‘the village of the roses’. We enjoy lunch in the beautiful lakeside Wineport Lodge. The highlight of the afternoon is a visit to a local whiskey distillery – always a highlight. Dating back to 1757, the Kilbeggan Distillery is the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world. Returning to the Shannon Princess, you end the day with Slainte drinks and a special farewell dinner. Rather than bidding you good-bye, and in true Irish spirit, the crew says, ‘see you soon’.

As your week draws to a close, you transfer to the assigned hotel in Dublin, arriving at approximately 12 noon.

Itineraries are subject to change.