Luxury Barge Tour on Ireland's Shannon river

Glasson.

Guests are met at the designated meeting point in Dublin and transferred to the barge moored at Glasson for a welcome champagne, black velvets or Irish coffee. Time for perhaps a gentle stroll before your first dinner on board.

Glasson to Athlone.

The morning begins with a cruise around the beautiful 'Inner Lakes' of Lough Ree and then north to explore some of the 365 islands on the lake. We circle back to the River Shannon and on to our mooring at Athlone Town. After lunch we visit Kilbeggan Whiskey distillery, the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world. On the return journey there is time for a visit to Balinahown, an artisan craft village. Dinner on board.

Athlone to Shannonbrige.

Today we negotiate Athlone lock and head south through Europe's richest example of 'Callow' landscape. We moor at Clonmacnoise ruins, a famed 6th century university and an early monastic settlement. Following a tour, we cruise on to our mooring at Shannonbridge. After lunch, we visit Leap Castle, reputed to be Ireland's most haunted house. You will be given a personal tour by the eccentric owner Sean Ryan, who, with traditional Irish musicians, will relate to you the fascinating history of the castle and its part in founding the American Constitution. After dinner on board, join the captain for a pint in Killeen's pub for some Irish music and an evening with the locals.

Shannonbridge to Terryglass.

This morning, we cruise a very pretty stretch of the River Shannon through Meelick lock, pausing as Portumna swing bridge is opened to allow us passage onto idyllic Lough Dergand, then moor at Terryglass Harbour. This afternoon we visit Birr Castle, where the Earl of Rosse and family are still in residence, to see the magnificent gardens, the fascinating Science Centre and admire the historic Great Telescope. Dinner on board.

Terryglass to Mountshannon.

Today, our tour is firstly to the walled gardens of Portumna Castle, then on to Galway City, a lively University City and cultural centre for Irish-speaking regions in Western Ireland. Visit the Galway crystal, craft and linen shops and enjoy lunch at a traditional Guinness and oyster pub. We return to the barge and set sail across beautiful Lough Derg, passing Forrest Park and ancient mountains as we enjoy our dinner and sunset cruise to Mountshannon - a lovely lakeside village perched above the Lough.

Mountshannon to Killaloe.

Today we set sail across south Lough Derg rejoining the River Shannon to moor at Killaloe, once home to the court of the greatest High King of Ireland, Brian Boru. After exploring this elegant little town we lunch on board, then set off to tour a unique project located in the grounds of Craggaunowen Castle, designed to bring Bronze Age and Celtic culture to life, before finally visiting a traditional Irish hand-weaving workshop. 'Salinte' cocktail reception and Captain's farewell dinner on board.

Killaloe.

After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the designated drop off point in Dublin.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change. On alternate weeks the cruise is in the reverse direction.