My Ireland
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Ireland cruises
Self-drive boating holidays in Ireland are relaxing, varied and saturated in beautiful scenery. Start your cruising journey here
The sunlight sparkles on the water as you glide past lush countryside and quiet little towns. The only sounds you hear are birdsong and the water lapping at the sides of your cruiser. This is the kind of idyllic afternoon you can expect as you go cruising on one of Ireland’s rivers, canals or lakes. Peace, tranquillity and an escape from the demands of modern life.
By going on a boat tour, you get to see the real Ireland; those hidden places that you would never know existed if you only journeyed by road. This wild, unspoiled landscape has hardly changed in thousands of years, and you can see evidence of the country’s rich history everywhere. Ancient standing stones and mysterious stone statues, early Christian monasteries and round towers, impressive medieval castles and elegant mansions with their formal gardens.
I find myself with the time to look deeper and I soon become a connoisseur of the various shades of green in the passing reed beds.
Owen Shears, The Guardian journalist, on travelling the River Shannon, the longest river in Ireland
Cruising around the island of Ireland
L-R: Barge on the Grand Canal, County Kildare; misty morning in Ballina, County Tipperary; fishing on Lough Erne, County Fermanagh; a dog-friendly boating holiday, County Limerick
Ireland cruises
With around 4,000 inland lakes, connected by a network of rivers and canals, Ireland offers endless possibilities to the cruising enthusiast. Just look at a map of the island and you can see how the country is split by its network of rivers and lakes. These inland waterways used to be busy transport routes but these days, their occupants are mostly leisure cruisers of all sizes, taking advantage of the lack of commercial traffic on Irish waters.
One of the wonderful things about river cruises is that you can stop and explore where and when you like. Gourmet meals, island picnics, activity parks, castles, gardens, bike trips, canoeing, angling: all and more are within easy reach of the water. And should a night on dry land be of interest, you can choose anything from a cosy B&B to a luxury castle hotel.
Enniskillen Castle, County Fermanagh
Fancy a boating holiday in Ireland?
Hop aboard for the best river and canal boat trips around Ireland
Cruising: need to know
It couldn't be easier to hire or rent a boat. You don’t need a license to operate a cruiser or a barge on the island of Ireland. And while experience is always useful, you don't even need to have driven a boat before.
Full training will be provided when you hire a vessel. When you’re ready to take the helm on your boat hire, you’ll be given navigational charts and a captain’s handbook. Couldn't be simpler!
Cruising on the Fermanagh Lakelands
5 unmissable waterways
Boatloads of adventures
Don't miss these things to see and do
Lough Key Forest and Activity Park
Head to Lough Key Forest and Activity Park in Boyle, County Roscommon and enjoy its spectacular views, abundant wildlife, historic buildings and evocative islands. Choose from gentle leisurely activities or more energetic pursuits.
Roscommon
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The Anner Hotel
The Anner Hotel located mid-way between Cork and Dublin and only 1.5 hours from all major cities, is ideally situated in the bustling town of Thurles. The hotel offers superb 4-star hotel accommodation and award-winning leisure facilities in the elegant setting of a country house hotel.
Tipperary
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Finn Lough - Suites
Situated one mile from the Donegal/Fermanagh Border, Finn Lough offers the ideal setting from which to explore both counties. For those who are keen to stay put and relax there is plenty on offer within the 75 acre island resort.
Enniskillen
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Carrick Craft
Cruise Ireland - The magic of Ireland's Waterways. Ireland's leading Cruiser Hire Company offer the best in boating holidays on the Erne, Shannon, Shannon-Erne Waterways.
Bellanaleck
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Marble Arch Caves
Marble Arch Caves- Magical, Unique and Memorable. The Marble Arch Caves is a major tourist attraction, set in the picturesque foothills of Cuilcagh Mountain, just a short journey from the Island town of Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
Enniskillen
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The Royal Canal Way
Restoration of the canal, initiated by the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland and the Royal Ca...
Dublin
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