THE country's waterways offer a unique method of discovery - and there’s no better way to meander through Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. It’s hard to classify Ireland’s longest river as a hidden gem. But, I was ignorant to the Shannon’s abundance of attractions, activities, and adventures.
So we traded the road for a weekend cruising the aquatic highway to uncover the best of Leitrim and Roscommon . Our three-day trip began at Carrickcraft in Carrick-on-Shannon, where we collected the Kilkenny Class cruiser. The water chariot sleeps four comfortably in two separate rooms, so it’s ideal for two couples or a family.
It can also accommodate two extra guests if needed. The boat is surprisingly spacious, and I could move around it without bumping into anything. It has two toilets and showers, along with everything you would need in the kitchen.
It was like a camper on steroids. We were given a thorough safety and operations demonstration before heading out for a test drive to come to grips with the handling. I feared a reenactment of the grounded Evergreen in the Suez Canal , but thankfully I made it around without incident.
However, as I pulled away from the dock my heavy handiness got the better of me, which resulted in a few doughnuts - and an anecdote that I will never live down. Once back under control, we headed from Carrick-on-Shannon to Leitrim Village Marina. The journey along the Shannon was unbelievably peaceful with the picturesque scenery reflected in the mi.
