Upper Shannon
Enjoy the most famous Locations of the Upper Shannon
The River Shannon rises in the Cuilcagh Mountains in Co. Cavan, forming a silvery ribbon through the centre of Ireland, past picturesque towns and villages, ancient castles and monastic sites, world class golf courses and extensive forest parks.
The Upper Shannon is the busiest of the entire navigation system and you will find many activities for young and old alike, world class restaurants and lots of pubs, where you will find the music and craic that the Irish are famous for.
Exploring the Upper Shannon
Come and explore the Irish waterways and discover its secrets in a brand new way. These locations are remarkable regions for boating holidays in Ireland, now could be the time!
Our Carrick-on-Shannon marina station bustles with cruisers and cosmopolitan crews busily preparing to cast off for their waterway adventures.
BOOK YOUR BOATING HOLIDAY NOW!
Boating Holidays on the Upper Shannon
Discover the best places to go on the Shannon! Sail away on your licence-free cruiser and discover the magnificent Shannon River and all its wonders!
Discover the Shannon River
Discover the Shannon River
A few miles from its source, the River Shannon flows into Lough Allen, the most northerly of the three large loughs on the navigation system. The beautiful setting of Lough Allen has Sliabh an Iarainn, the Iron Mountain, to the East and the Arigna Mountains to the west. It has become a popular location for watersports and is home to Lough Allen Adventure Centre. The river is then bypassed by the Lough Allen canal and the town of Drumshanbo, the starting point for many fascinating walks in the surrounding area.
The Shannon is then joined by the narrow, tree-lined Boyle River to the north west. A detour up the Boyle River will take you to the picturesque Lough Key, with its many islands to explore and Lough Key Forest Park which has a host of activities from the splendid nature trails to the more adventurous zip lines!
Continuing southwards, you soon reach the town of Carrick-on-Shannon, where Carrickcraft opened their first marina in the early 1970’s. The town has expanded over the years but it is still considered the centre of cruising in Ireland.
Further south is the Jamestown Canal and then on to the tributary of the Carnadoe Lakes, which is a haven of peace and tranquility. This is Ireland’s stunning scenery at its best and is the perfect location for a spot of fishing or for simply watching the abundant and diverse wildlife.
The Upper Shannon then flows gently by a cluster of small towns and villages, all well worth a visit. In the small, typically Irish town of Clondra, sits the historic Richmond Harbour, where the Shannon meets the Royal Canal, built in the late 1700’s to transport goods and passengers to Dublin.
At Lanesborough, the River Shannon enters Lough Ree, the second of the major loughs on the system. Lough Ree is a vast, inland sea that boasts inspiring scenery, diverse wildlife and lots of islands and bays to explore.
2025 Early Booking Discount
10% Early Booking Discount
Discount on all 2025 Bookings
10% Discount
Valid until 31st January 2025
Midweek Special
and get 4 nights for the price of 3
Available All Season
Extra Night Free
Available on selected boats
10 nights for the price of 7
Available in April, May, Sept and Oct
10 for 7
Clare, Kilkenny, Wave Princess, Carlow
2025 Early Booking Discount
10% Early Booking Discount
Discount on all 2025 Bookings
10% Discount
Valid until 31st January 2025
Midweek Special
and get 4 nights for the price of 3
Available All Season
Extra Night Free
Available on selected boats
10 nights for the price of 7
Available in April, May, Sept and Oct
10 for 7
Clare, Kilkenny, Wave Princess, Carlow
When you hire a boat from Carrickcraft, you will benefit from the advice of experts who are passionate about boating and who will do their utmost to ensure you have a great holiday.
NO LICENCEREQUIRED
ACROSS
3 MARINAS
YEARS
EXPERIENCE
