Shannon Region —
Sightseeing Tours
Photos: The Shannon Region offers a variety of sightseeing tours including: (top) Ennis Walking Tours with guide Jane O'Brien; (lower left) The Spirit of Killaloe boat cruises from Killaloe on Lough Derg; and the Clonmacnoise & West Offaly Bog Railway at Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly.
As a region defined by the mighty Shannon River, it is not
surprising that sightseeing tours are readily available by boat as well as on foot or by
bus.
Here is a selection of sightseeing tours available:
County Limerick Tours
County Clare Tours
County Tipperary Tours
County Offaly Tours
County Limerick Tours
Day Tours from Limerick — In the summer months, Bus Eireann offers a
selection of day trips from Limerick City to County Clare (Bunratty, Lahinch, Cliffs of
Moher, Doolin, Kilkee), Kerry (Ballybunion), and Limerick (Adare). June-Aug., schedules
and durations vary. Contact: Bus Eireann, Bus Station, Parnell St., Limerick, tel.
061-313333. Web site: www.buseireann.ie.
County Clare Tours
Co. Clare Bus Tours - Take a guided tour of the Co. Clare area including the Cliffs of Moher, Black Head scenic drive, The Burren, Poulnabrone Dolmen, Aillwee Cave, and Bunratty Village. ½ day tours departs Saturday-Thursday, at 12:15 p.m., and full-day tours depart Monday and Saturday at 9:30 a.m. from the tourist office (or passengers can be picked up at hotels and other accommodations). Day tours are also available from Limerick to Blarney & Cork; Galway; and Adare and Killarney. Book in advance. More Info: Barratt Tours, Cappamore, Co. Limerick, tel. 087-237-5986. Web site: www.4tours.biz
Ennis Walking Tours - Walk through the winding medieval streets of Ennis, accompanied by a local guide who presents highlights of the town's history. The tour ends with a visit to a local pub to learn more about Clare's unique contribution to the traditional Irish music scene. 1.5 hrs. May to Oct. Tours depart daily (except Tuesday) from the Ennis Tourist Office, Arthur's Row, at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the start of the tour. Contact: Jane O'Brien, tel. 087-648-3714. Web site: www.enniswalkingtours.com.
Cliffs of Moher Cruises – For a different perspective of the Cliffs of Moher, you can take a cruise along the front of the cliffs at sea level, from either Doolin or Liscannor. Operates daily, April-October. For more information, contact Cliffs of Moher Cruises, Doolin Pier, Co. Clare (tel. 065-707-5949). Some sailings also go to the Aran Islands. Web site: www.mohercruises.com
Doolin Boat Trips to the Aran Islands - Seasonal boat services from Doolin, Co. Clare to the Aran Islands, Co. Galway, are operated (April or May to September or October) by Doolin Ferries, Doolin Pier, Co. Clare (tel. 065-707-4455); Web site: www.doolinferries.com; Doolin Ferry (tel. 065-707-5555; Web site: www.doolinferry.com; and to Inis Oirr by Moher Cruises (tel. 065-707-5949; Web site: www.cliffs-of-moher-cruises.com
Dolphin-Watching
Cruises — Available from both Kilrush Creek Marina and Carrigaholt,
these boat trips take visitors for a cruise of the Shannon Estuary, home
to Ireland's only known resident group of bottlenose dolphins. The trips
include a commentary and opportunities to observe over 100 dolphins in
their natural habitat, as well as marine life and seabirds. 2 hrs. Apr.-Oct.,
schedules vary and are subject to weather and sea conditions. Reservations
suggested. Contact: Dolphin Watching on the Shannon, Kilrush Creek Marina, Co. Clare, tel. 065-905-1327, web
site: www.discoverdolphins.ie; and Dolphinwatch,
The Pier, Carrigaholt, Co. Clare, tel. 066-905-8156, web site: www.dolphinwatch.ie.
Shannon River Cruises — Cruise on the Shannon River's
largest lake - Lough Derg, from Killaloe. The commentary includes a range
of historic sites plus close-up views of local wildlife, seabirds and
plant life. 1 hr. May to mid-Sept., schedules vary. All tours depart from
Killaloe Marina or Canal. Reservations suggested. Contact: The Spirit
of Killaloe, Killaloe Marina, Killaloe, Co. Clare, tel. 086-814-0559; Web site: www.killaloe.ie/whelans.
Walking Tours of the Burren — Explore the nooks and crannies, archeology and botany, flora and fauna of the Burren region on a guided walking tour. Half-day or more. Advance reservations suggested. Contact: John Connolly, Burren Wild Guided Walking Tours, Oughtmama, Bell Harbour, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare, tel. 087-877-9565, Web site: www.burrenwalks.com. Or Shane Connolly, Burren Hill Walks Ltd., Corkscrew Hill, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare, tel. 065-707-7168, Web Site: http://homepage.eircom.net/~burrenhillwalks
County Tipperary Tours
Shannon River Cruises — Board the Ku-ee-tu waterbus and cruise the Shannon River's largest lake — Lough Derg, from the Tipperary side of the lake. The commentary includes a range of historic sites plus views of local wildlife, seabirds and plants. 1 hr. May to mid-Sept., daily, schedules vary. Reservations suggested. All tours depart from the Dromineer Marina. Contact: Shannon Sailing Ltd., Dromineer, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, tel. 067-24295. Web site: www.shannonsailing.com
County Offaly Tours
Bog Railway Tours — Take a 5.5-mile ride on a
narrow-gauge railway to hear the story of the Blackwater Bog, a raised bog beside the
Shannon River. The commentary supplies full information about the bog as a vital pat of
Irish life and provides close-up views of turf-cutting, 6,000-year-old bog oak, and flora
and fauna of the bog. 1 hr. Apr.-Oct. daily; schedule varies. Reservations recommended.
Contact: Clonmacnoise & West Offaly Railway, Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly, tel.
090-9657-4450. Web site: www.bnm.ie/group/peat/clonmacnoise.htm
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