When holidaymakers plan a trip to Ireland, it is likely that they don’t immediately think of it as a ‘cruise’ destination; but they would be wrong!
The Shannon Princess is a purpose built boutique, luxury barge and our 6-days / 7 nights cruise travels through a section of the longest river in Britain and Ireland, namely the River Shannon. The river gets its name from a Celtic goddess called Sionna [pronounced Shionna], and at a majestic 224 miles long, it is steeped in history and folklore going back Millenia.
The cruises
Get to know Ireland as we stop off in some truly wonderful towns and villages each day. We combine visits to historical sites such as Bronze Age settlements, castles and monastic sites with excursions into the lively towns of Galway and Athlone where our guests can mingle with the locals, dine on oysters, go exploring and even do a bit of shopping if they wish. If golf is more to your liking, we combine a cruise with lots of time on world class fairways; the perfect combination.
While we journey from one destination to the next, the River Shannon cruise provides an opportunity to see some of Ireland’s beautiful landscapes and changing scenery. The beauty of travelling by daylight, means our guests can sit back and relax on our spacious deck and watch the world go by.
We travel through a few locks on our journey too where our passengers can take on the role of crew and help with the ropes, if they wish…alternatively the locks can provide the perfect opportunity to take some holiday snaps.
Holding the ropes at Athlone Lock and a great photo opportunity
The barge
Our boutique barge is specifically designed with elegance and luxury which we hope goes beyond our passengers’ expectations. Every cabin has a river view and our en-suite bathrooms are very spacious.
[We are busy renovating our cabins for the 2016 season, so watch this space for new images and updates!]
Our main lounge area combines the dining room with the living room and has ample comfy couches and armchairs. This is the heart of our boutique barge and is perfect for reading, enjoying the panoramic views with a glass of vino or catching up with fellow guests before dinner.
The food
One of the main highlights of our cruise is the gourmet food that we serve each day. All of our dishes are home made in the galley kitchen and where possible, the food originates from local establishments we pass en-route. Local artisan shops and organic butchers are all part of our ethos to choose only the best ingredients for our dishes.
Wild garlic and various herbs and berries grow in abundance along the River Shannon and are often picked and added to our recipes. The organic nature of their growth enhances the flavours of our dishes.
The galley kitchen of the Shannon Princess has a great view of the River Shannon
River Shannon cruise options
We have created a few options for our River Shannon cruises, to suit a variety of tastes and interests.
Those looking for an active vacation will enjoy our Walking Cruise which brings our guests to a different location each day and combines exploring with walking excursions.
For guests who enjoy a round on the fairways our Golf Cruise is a perfect opportunity to play 18 holes on some of the world’s best courses, including the K-Club, while enjoying a luxury cruise experience.
Our Classic Cruise is ideal for vacationers who want to explore Ireland, its historical sites and get to know the locals!
In 2017, we will commence our Family itinerary cruise, perfect for all members of the family [details to follow soon]
We visit castles and monastic sites steeped in history
Our guests can immerse themselves into the Irish culture, none more so than traditional music and the craic!
The Shannon Princess journeys through some beautiful towns and villages [in this photo: Athlone town]
What makes us special
The Shannon Princess boasts 5 luxurious cabins, which accommodates up to 10 passengers, allowing our guests to become acquainted with ease. Friendships and lasting memories make this a truly intimate experience and we make every effort to ensure our guests have a vacation of a lifetime.
If you would like more information, please contact us on our booking form, alternatively you can email us on: [email protected] or call us on +353 87 251 4809.
We look forward to welcoming you on board the Shannon Princess.
