dossier

Shannon Princess II

Day 1: KILLALOE
Guests are met at the hotel at 3 pm and transferred by private coach to Shannon Princess II. On arrival, enjoy a welcome Irish Coffee. Time for an evening stroll around this historical and picturesque town, founded by St Lua in the 6th Century. Dinner aboard.

Day 2: KILLALOE TO MOUNTSHANNON
Cruising through waters resembling fjords we pass by Holy Island, Deer Rock and Derry Castle before arriving in Lough Derg, the largest of the Shannon lakes. Then westwards towards the beautiful and meandering Scarrif River. After lunch we visit the Craggaunowen Project -a Celtic Bronze Age settlement reconstruction. Dinner aboard.

Day 3: MOUNTSHANNON TO TERRYGLASS
During a leisurely cruise north, through a wide variety of lake and shoreline scenery, we pass the island of Illamore and ease towards the Eastern Shore arriving in Terryglass, a tiny picturesque village a few hundred yards from the harbor. It is home to the Old Church Craft Shop, which carries some of the finest examples of Irish Pottery and Crafts. Lunch ashore in quaint Derg Inn. After lunch we visit Portumna Castle and Forest Park. Dinner aboard.

Day 4: TERRYGLASS TO GALWAY TO MEELICK
We enjoy a full day's excursion to Galway City, famous for several literary personalities including W. B. Yeats, Patrick O'Connor and Nora Barnacle. City of the 14 tribes, Galway offers excellent shopping, several museums and another glimpse at Irish life through the ages. Tour of Galway Crystal Factory before lunch in one of Galway's finest luncheon bars. Return to Shannon Princess and Dinner aboard, whilst cruising through Portumna swing bridge. We enter Meelick Lock, which will carry us to our overnight destination.

Day 5: MEELICK to SHANNON BRIDGE
Today we continue north through a very pretty stretch of water to Banagher. Visit Birr Castle and Gardens and the Oldest Telescope in the World! - All part of Ireland's Historical Science Centre. After visiting the Castle Demance, we lunch in Ireland's premier dining pub, The Thatch of Crinkle. Afternoon cruise upriver to the town of Shannonbridge, where we moor for the night with an opportunity to visit Killens Music and Singing Pub. Dinner aboard

Day 6: SHANNON BRIDGE TO ATHLONE
Today we move towards our final destination, the riverside town of Athlone, stopping en-route at Clonmacnoise Ruins, a famed 6th century University and early Christian settlement. After a visit to the interpretative centre we continue north through Europe's richest example of "callows" landscape. This is one of Ireland's premier wildflower reserves. Captain's Dinner aboard.

Day 7: ATHLONE TO DUBLIN
After breakfast return to Dublin airport, or Aberdeen Lodge Hotel, at approximately 11:30 to 12:30pm

NOTE: . On alternate weeks, cruise will be in reverse direction. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. Special interest cruises such as Golf and Equestrian charters can be accommodated with advance notice. Golf courses include Lahinch, Galway Bay and Glasson.