Cruise the Shannon-Erne Waterway in 7 days

Pick your cruiser up in Carrick-on-Shannon, a base for cruiser hire companies including Emerald Star and Carrickcraft (which operates Locaboat Holidays, Linssen and Waveline). You can adapt this trip depending on how much time you have and whether you need to return your cruiser to Carrick-on-Shannon. That’s the beauty of cruising in Ireland – you can do it YOUR way!

If you’re driving, you’ll find parking at your marina. But if you want to reduce the carbon footprint of your holiday, you have some options: use the airport transfer service offered by your cruiser company or get yourself to Carrick-on-Shannon using public transport. You’ll also be happy to hear that many cruiser companies in Ireland are moving towards eco-friendly HVO fuel, which can help make your holiday even more sustainable.

Don’t worry if you’ve never been on a cruiser before. The controls are simple, and your tutor will take you through everything you need to know before your departure, from navigating locks and docking to refuelling and pump-out stations. Hire companies may offer additional services such as arranging fishing licences, bike hire and even groceries, so you can get on with the important business of enjoying your holiday.

Before you set off, take the time to explore the buzzing riverside town of Carrick-on-Shannon. Grab a coffee from one of the town’s little cafés and soak up the atmosphere as you stroll around the streets. Don’t miss tiny Costello’s Chapel, rumoured to be the second smallest chapel in the world, and Trinity Rare Books, which specialises in books about the River Shannon.

If you have the time, we’d highly recommend a detour before you reach the Shannon-Erne Waterway. Head north from Carrick-on-Shannon and you’ll come to Lough Key, one of Ireland’s most beautiful lakes. Lough Key Forest Park is an outdoor playground with something for everyone, whether you want the thrills of a zipline or a relaxing ramble along lakeside trails. Then return to Carrick-on-Shannon – the ideal place to pick up some provisions for your onward journey to Leitrim Village.

Charming Leitrim Village is the starting point of the Shannon-Erne Blueway, a network of paddling, walking and cycling trails so what better way to begin your day than a leisurely exploration of the lush surrounding countryside.

If you want to treat yourself, make time for a trip to nearby Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway. This luxurious retreat nestled among ancient oak woodlands offers stylish accommodation as well as spa treatments in its Wellbeing Sanctuary – think outdoor seaweed baths, hot tubs and plunge pools. Then it's back to the village where you can enjoy lunch at the Barge Restaurant and Steakhouse.

Acres Lake is a scenic spot just a 15-minute cycle from Leitrim Village that has become known for its attractive floating boardwalk. A little further north, the Arigna Mining Experience is a fascinating visitor attraction that delves into County Leitrim's mining heritage. Guides are former miners and offer great insights into life underground.

Remember, there are eight locks to navigate between Leitrim Village and Keshcarrigan, where you will be mooring for the night. So when you're planning your day, factor in the time you'll need on the water. Locks on the Shannon-Erne Waterway are automatic and operated by a swipe card which you can buy from your hire company. Opening hours during the hire season are 9am-8pm.

For a tiny village, Keshcarrigan has a lot to recommend it. Try the Blueway paddling trail from the marina to Castlefore Lock or stop for some angling in Lough Scur, which offers a great supply of roach, hybrids and skimmers, especially around The Rocks.

In a meadow overlooking Lough Scur you can visit the curious stone monument that may be a portal tomb or a druids alter, depending on who you ask. Look out also for Lough Scur's castles – the 13th century Castle O’Connor and 16th century Castle Sean, and for the ominously named "Prison Island" – a legacy of a notorious 17th century landlord who imprisoned transgressors in tiny cells on this remote jail. Just the ruins remain today but it's easy to let your imagination run wild as you gaze on the lonely island. 

Slieve an Iarainn (the Iron Mountain) is a 35-minute cycle from Keshcarrigan. Said to be so beautiful that it attracted the mythical godlike race of the Tuatha dé Danann, it boasts great walking trails that range from short ambles to a full 20-km hike through roads, forest and mountain paths. The visitor centre in nearby Drumshanbo will tell you how iron was mined here for generations and will share some of the legends that surround the mountain. 

Don't miss a visit to The Shed Distillery, home of the award-winning Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin. This distillery, founded by PJ and Denise Rigby, is a place of wild experimentation, where gin, vodka and whiskey are produced using traditional methods and a fusion of local Irish grains and flora with exotic botanicals. Allow around 1.5 hours for the distillery tour and tasting. 

On your way back to Keshcarrigan, you can detour to climb the Sheemore and Sheebeg Hills. Rich in myth and legend, these are reputed to be fairy strongholds and it's said that the great Irish hero, Fionn Mac Cumhnaill is buried in Sheebeg. Whatever the tales, the views from the top of Sheebeg Hill are magnificent.

If this all sounds a little too energetic, head south for afternoon tea at Lough Rynn Castle Hotel and while away some time in the castle's John McGahern Library, a cosy spot where some of the beloved Leitrim author's best-known works are displayed. Gerties’ Bar and Restaurant in Keshcarrigan offers rather simpler fare. Then it's on to Ballinamore for the night.

This lively market town lies at the midway point of the Shannon-Erne Waterway and is known for its restaurants and pubs, as well as activities such as golf, horseriding and walking.

Stop into the Solas Art Gallery and enjoy exhibitions of both local and international artists. Stretch your legs on the Ballinamore Looped Walk, a gentle 4.5km trail that follows the waterway before looping back to the town. Enjoy a round of golf at the Ballinamore Golf Club. Or saddle up at the Drumcoura Equestrian Centre where you can learn to ride like a cowboy on a Western riding lesson.

You'll need a break after all that so relax over lunch at the Poor Scholar pub or drop into Smyth's Siopa Ól, a cosy, old-world pub and restaurant where the pints are good, and the welcome is warm.  

At this museum just outside Ballinamore, the Kennedy family has amassed a private collection of thousands of artefacts, from pony traps and farm machinery to oil lamps and gramophones, that let you glimpse how life was lived in rural Ireland in the past. Look out for the fully reconstructed street scene from the 1930s that's like stepping back in time. 

After your busy day exploring, it's back to the cruiser as you journey towards the end of the Shannon-Erne Waterway and the town of Ballyconnell.

Anglers may be loath to leave the well-stocked waters of Garadice Lough but cruise on and you'll come to the laidback town of Ballyconnell, nestled at the foot of Slieve Rushen. You're right in the heart of the Cuilcagh Global Geopark here, with its wildly varying landscapes that range from gently rolling drumlins to forests, lakes and rugged uplands.

Some highlights to look out for include the Insta-famous Clough Oughter Castle perched in splendid isolation on its own island; Drumlane Abbey and Round Tower, still standing after 1,500 years; and the spectacular Cornagee Viewpoint that offers panoramic views over the landscape. If you prefer to stay a little closer to the waterway, try the Ballyconnell Looped Walk, a 6km trail that takes you along the banks of the waterway and through Annagh Wood before you come back to Ballyconnell.

If you have the time, a detour north to Bawnboy to visit the teddy bear gift shop at Bear Essentials is a nice way to reconnect to your inner child. Then it's back to Ballyconnell for lunch in the Anglers Rest.

Golfers might already be familiar with Ballyconnell as the hometown of Leona Maguire, one of the world's top golfers. Enjoy a round of golf at the impressive PGA National Ireland Slieve Russell golf course – one of only 8 PGA National designated resorts in the world making it a must for golf enthusiasts.

Not a golfer? Relax in the Ciúin Spa and Wellness Centre in the hotel where your biggest concern will be choosing between a full body massage and a salt scrub.

You might notice a curious structure on the grounds of the Slieve Russell. This is the Aughrim Wedge Tomb, discovered when a local business was quarrying on Slieve Rushen mountain, then excavated and reconstructed in the hotel grounds in 1992.

If you need to return your cruiser to Carrick-on-Shannon, it's almost time to head back along the Shannon-Erne Waterway. But first... Belturbet, a popular base for anglers thanks to its location in the heart of County Cavan's lake-dotted landscape.

Check out the Anglo-Norman motte and bailey on Turbet Island – the walk to get there along the canal and over the railway bridge is a treat in itself. Another highlight is the Belturbet Railway Station, now home to a railway museum featuring memorabilia and restored railway buildings, including the station master's house.

Enjoy a hearty meal in the Seven Horseshoes or pick up some supplies for your onward journey. If you're continuing on towards Lough Erne, let's go! This historic estate of Crom is your next stop.

You could easily lose yourself in the beauties of the National Trust estate at Crom. At every turn, there's something to capture the attention, from the ruins of the Old Castle to the picturesque Crighton Tower on its own island and the ancient yew trees for which the estate is famous. Explore the grounds, enjoy a coffee in the charming coffee shop and then it's back aboard to see what else Upper Lough Erne has to offer.

Cruise north and you may notice the dense woodlands of Inis Rath, now known as Krishna Island. Once part of the Crom Estate, the island is now home to a small community of Hare Krishnas. Visitors are welcome but you must book ahead and use the island's own ferry service.  

A wonderful place to take a break from the water is Share Discovery Village. You can moor here for the night for a small charge, which will also give you access to the village's facilities. Think bush craft, archery, mountain biking and even an escape room! All on a stunning 60-acre lakeside estate. Enjoy!

Return your cruiser in the small village of Bellanaleck, just a short distance from Enniskillen, the island town that's a great base from which to keep exploring. Visit the two museums in Enniskillen Castle and enjoy lunch in Blakes of the Hollow, a gorgeous Victorian pub that offers a cosy respite from the modern world.

Then leave the town behind and head for the wonderful Castle Coole, once the home of the Earls of Belmore. A guided tour will take you through the lavish reception rooms and to the magnificent State Bedroom, which was designed for a visit from King George IV. But it will also give you an insight into what life was like "below stairs" for the army of servants who kept this grand house running.

Head west and you'll find some of Northern Ireland's most popular visitor attractions, including elegant Florence Court. This 18th century mansion set in lush parkland was home to the Cole family for over 250 years. Take the guided house tour, explore the walking trails, visit the famous Yew tree, said to be the mother of every Irish Yew tree around the world, and don't miss the second-hand book shop tucked away in the courtyard.

Just down the road is the entrance to the Marble Arch Caves. This is one of Europe's finest cave systems and it's a thrill to step into the small, flatbottomed boat and be taken on a tour of this mysterious underworld. In stark contrast, the nearby Cuilcagh Boardwalk takes you to the very top of Cuilcagh Mountain via a meandering route through farmland, over blanket bog, and finally up a steep set of wooden steps. The views from the top are just as spectacular as you'd expect. 

Seven days have never gone so quickly. You've come to the end of your cruise but if you have the time and you simply can't bear to leave the water behind, you'll be delighted to hear that there's plenty more to discover on Lower Lough Erne. And of course, the River Shannon is still waiting to be discovered... 

Get more ideas about how to cruise the River Shannon and the Shannon-Erne Waterway and discover their hidden gems.