Portumna

Portumna is situated at the top end of Lough Derg,  Shannon's largest lake. Again, the choices are terrific. Going north on the river section you must visit Clonmacnoise , the ruins of a monastic city founded in 545AD, and onwards to Athlone . The river Suck is now fully navigable. Shannon Harbour was once the busy terminus for the Grand Canal and one day cruising to Dublin will no doubt become possible!

Going south, Lough Derg possesses some of the loveliest moorings on both sides. The lakeshore is wonderfully scenic with some terrific walks in the woods. Killaloe at the southern tip of the lake is a very pretty village with some excellent pubs and restaurants.

It is possible for the experienced boater to continue cruising south to the town of Limerick - a particularly pretty and interesting stretch of the river.

Portumna is the ideal departure base to take a first holiday on the Irish waterways with so much to see and do.