Shannon Shores Tour

IRELAND'S BLUE BOOKCOUNTRY HOUSES, HISTORIC HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS

If you are one of those people who really enjoy the gentle calming effect of water but prefer to keep their feet on terra firma, this trip is for you. The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at 386km long. It rises in the Cuileagh Mountains, flows generally south and empties into the Atlantic Ocean through the Shannon Estuary. Like the Salmon, you are going to be swimming upstream!

Day 1

We’re going to kick off this trip in the Shannon Estuary - getting a feel of the old Ireland, with a visit to the wonderful Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. You will find real entertainment here with folk portraying how poor and difficult life really was in Ireland, but be on your best behaviour as the schoolmaster will be keeping an eye on you!!! Visit the picturesque village of Adare before reaching the Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge a converted 19th century convent. The celebrated and comfortable Echo Lodge is set on ten acres of mature trees, herbaceous borders, orchard and kitchen garden.

Day 2

After a special Mustard Seed breakfast to get you on your way, we suggest a visit to the Foynes Flying Boat Museum. Foynes was the terminus of a transatlantic seaplane service; this is recalled with great detail at the Museum. Head on into Limerick where you may like to visit St John’s Castle on the edge of the Shannon and have a bite to eat before heading northwards around the western edge of Lough Derg which takes in some of the most beautiful wooded areas in east Clare until you reach the top of the Lough at Portumna, a well known marina centre for both the Lough and the Shannon. Be sure and stretch your legs with a stroll in the Forest Park there which is a wildlife sanctuary of 1,000 acres, before you head on the last leg of today’s journey which will take you further north where the river flows into Lough Ree and situated literally on the eastern shores in Glasson is the wonderful Wineport Lodge. A beautiful modern wooden building with extremely comfortable bedrooms and well renowned Restaurant. If you fancy taking to the water here, you can hire their beautiful cruiser which sets off down the inland waterways at your pleasure from their own jetty!

Day 3

If the rhythmic lapping of the water outside your bedroom window hasn’t made you oversleep you will be all set to swim further upstream after ‘the full irish’! Driving up through the midlands and the flattest part of Ireland, though you may not constantly see the water, you will be pleasantly surprised every so often with glimpses of the Shannon and its lakes varying greatly in shape and size, you can veer off slightly westwards and have your late morning coffee or your brunch at the lovely restaurant at the magnificent Strokestown Park House and Famine Museum, (best have the food first, you will feel too guilty to eat after a visit to the museum!!) . Be sure and take a look the longest herbaceous border in Britain and Ireland as listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Head northeastwards towards Eniskillen, your destination for today, and on the way, be sure and stop of at one of Ireland’s most beautiful nature conservation sites, Crom Estate. Take a stroll along one of their many wooded or shoreline walks and do a spot of birdwatching. See the some of the rare plants happily growing there. Having experienced a great deal of History and Nature today it is very fitting that you will spend tonight at Belle Isle Castle, a genuine Country house situated on one of the 10 islands belonged to the estate, connected to the mainland by a bridge on Upper Lough Erne. With just 8 bedrooms you will dine and feel like Lord/Lady of the Manor for the evening, and so you should! Sleep well.

Ireland's Blue Book of Country Houses & Restaurants
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