The longest river in Ireland, the River Shannon and its lakes are a bustling, colourful navigation. Once a major commercial waterway - the backbone of Ireland - the Shannon still holds onto the legacy of busy harbours and peaceful bays, busy towns, heritage and historical sites. The navigation falls 146m from Lough Allen to the sea at Limerick over a distance of 215km. New sections of navigable waterway have opened up in recent years; up the River Suck to Ballinasloe and from Lough Key into Boyle.
As the longest river in Great Britain and Ireland, the Shannon is a treasure waiting to be discovered. There are quiet serene waters, thriving watersport centres and rural villages where ancient monuments can be traced back to Viking invaders. Long idle stretches of water weave between pretty towns like Banagher and Portumna, while the lakes shelter inlets and islands that will take your breath away. Visitors to the Shannon will find boat hire companies and activity centres based all along its length ready to provide you with everything you need for a successful and enjoyable holiday. Activities extend to waterskiing, jet-skiing and even banana-boating, as well as the more traditional cruising, sailing and angling.