Guided Walking Barge Cruise Itinerary
Shannon Princess's guided walking cruise embraces the luxury and comfort of barging, along with the satisfaction and exhilaration of quality walking tours. For avid walkers, this is the perfect chartered river cruise. The lush countryside along the River Shannon provides a truly wonderful trail for an Irish walking tour cruise.
The Shannon Princess cruises a uniquely-beautiful route that has changed little through the centuries. You will moor at pretty lakeside villages and towns along the waterway and, from the luxury of your floating home, explore trails and ancient walkways that are steeped in Irish history and mythology.
Guided walks cover between 14-20 km per day and include the Pilgrims Path, the Slieve Bloom Way, the Arra Mountains, the neolithic Graves of The Leinstermen, and the Tain Trail on Lough Ree. Walks are led by a professional Walking Guide with backgrounds in archaeology, history and natural science, along with local knowledge.
Sunday, Day 1 : Killaloe
We meet you at the designated meeting place and transfer you by coach to the Shannon Princess moored in historic Killaloe. We are moored on the Tipperary side of these picturesque little Ecclesiastical towns. Killaloe was once home to the court of the last High King of Ireland - Brian Boru. "Céad Mile Fáilte" - Your Captain and his crew welcome you on board the elegant Shannon Princess with a Champagne Reception. Time enough to meet new friends. Relax on deck or explore this charming riverside town & local sites of interest. Watch the world float by, as you enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board.
Monday, Day 2 : Walk the Graves of the Leinstermen
We take a hike into the Arra Mountains from our mooring in Killaloe. At the summit of Tountinna is the "Graves of the Leinstermen", today one stone is standing, the rest are covered in undergrowth. The site may have originally been a stone circle or a Neolithic Tomb. Keep a look out for evidence of the area’s great slate quarrying tradition. Magnificent views can be had from these parts, and blanket bog and several varieties of heather add to the allure of the landscape. This is an excellent walk and can take between 3 to 5 hours to walk. We are walking on natural terrain with moderate gradients. We slip our moorings at Killaloe, and start our journey up river.
This afternoon we literately go with the flow, up through Lough Derg with its many Islands and Medieval strongholds. Here The Shannon Princess follows a dramatic route carved through the hills and valleys of Munster's North Riding. The River sweeps past banks charmingly dotted with Wild Horses and Crumbling Castles. We moor at the lovely old estate village of Mountshannon, perched prettily above the Lough. Gourmet Dinner on-board and a moonlit ramble around Mountshannon.
Tuesday, Day 3 : Walk the East Clare Hills
The East Clare Way walk starts from overnight mooring in Mountshannon. This is a 127km route of marked Highways and Byways. You will be guided through what is considered the most beautiful section. A gentle climb up through riverside villages and into the Slieve Bernagh hills until we overlook some of the most spectacular scenery in the whole of Munster with Lough Derg and its many islands at our feet creating a landscape rich in beauty, colour and variety. This is a 3 to 4 hour walk on natural terrain and trails with moderate gradients.
This afternoon the Shannon Princess meanders effortlessly north through Lough Derg. We moor waterside at the foot of a hill that slopes gently up to Terryglass village. At Terryglass take time to explore this rural Hamlet -- walk, cycle, swim or make a wish in any of the villages Holy (fairy) Wells! Time to explore Portumna Castle Walled Kitchen Gardens with your Chef. Gourmet dinner on board.
Wednesday, Day 4 : Walk The Slieve Bloom Way, Cadens Town & Kinnity
We travel by luxury coach to the nearby Slieve Bloom Mountains. Steeped in history and folklore, the Slieve Blooms dominate the landscape as it straddles the border of counties Offaly and Laois. Its highest peak, 529m Arderin, translates from Irish as the height of Ireland. Connections with the past are everywhere as the area is dusted with monuments dating back as far as 4,500 years. This is a three to 4 hour walk along riverside paths and bog tracks and through woodland trails. Refreshment at Leap Castle, oosted by Owner and traditional musician, Sean Ryan.
Return to Shannon Princess for a gourmet dinner, and cruise an evocative stretch of the river Shannon. Onwards we head, in the wake of time, floating by dappled woodlands and ancient highways. The ever-changing landscape slipping by, pausing as Portumna Swing Bridge is opened to allow the Shannon Princess pass on by, upwards through Meelick Lock to moor over night at the village of Shannonbridge. Gourmet Dinner on board.
Thursday, Day 5 : Walk the Pilgrim Path
After a short Cruise, we moor at Clonmacnoise ruins – an atmospheric and spiritual 6th Century monastic settlement soaked in history and myth. Clonmacnoise was the ancient burial grounds of the High Kings of Tara & Connaught and quickly became a popular place of pilgrimage. Here on the Shannon Riverbanks we start our walking trail on "The Pilgrim's Path". This ancient walking route crossed early historic Ireland from east to west and was known in Gaelic as An tSlí Mór, the Great Road. The modern Pilgrim Path covers an intact stretch of that ancient route which winds along the Esker Riada and provides the walker with an elevated view of the bog and river Shannon rich in wildlife and flowers.
We follow the trail for 3 to 4 hours, over gently undulating and natural terrain. The Shannon Princess continues its meander up the Shannon towards Athlone, cruising through lush grazing meadows and floodplains. These meadows are considered Ireland's premier wildfowl and flora reserves, and excellent examples of "Callows" landscape. We moor in the heart of the bustling town of Athlone with time to visit some of the many charming craft, antiques shops or a visit to any of the town's impromptu traditional music pub. Dinner on board.
Friday, Day 6 : Walk The Tain Trail & Portlick Woods Taiin Co Culaine
This morning Shannon Princess slips through countryside little changed through the centuries. Relax and unwind as we float along the Shannon's beautiful Lough Ree and its Inner Lakes, passing stately riverside homes and some of its reputed 365 wooded islands. We moor at Quigleys Marina. Glasson is the legendary route taken across Ireland taken by Queen Maedbh of Connacht in her attempts at the theft of her husband's riches and his prized Brown Bull of Cooley. The Tain Trail is steeped in mythology & history as it retraces the journey and battles between Maeve and her armies and the Warrior hero Cúchulainn. We join the Tain Trail along the shores of Lough Ree where Maeve met a bloody end. We follow the trail for 3 to 4 hours. This is a charming lakeshore byway on natural surfaces with only slight gradients. Farewell "Slainte" Gourmet Dinner.
Saturday, Day 7 : Glasson
After breakfast you will be transferred by luxury coach to your designated drop off point.
NOTE:
- Our luxury bus and driver is in attendance on all walks, allowing walkers the freedom to extend walks or return to the barge at their wish.
- On alternate weeks the barge cruise is in the reverse direction.
- Itineraries are subject to change.
- Walking themed barge cruises are charter only.
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