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Dergie’s Top Tips

• Interested in wakeboarding or waterskiing in the Portumna area? Check out the facilities offered by the Watermark Ski Club, which runs three boats to suit different skill levels from its base just north of Portumna bridge on the River Shannon.

• Wakeboarders, water skiiers and other adventurers on Lough Derg and the River Shannon – have a wonderful time on the great waterways BUT don’t forget to have due consideration for other users, e.g. anglers, sailors and locals.

• Planning your big wedding day at the moment? Do something special and check out how you can get a blessing on Lough Derg’s Monastic Holy Island

• Reach for the stars! Check out the amazing Great Telescope at Birr Castle. Marvel at how the world’s largest telescope for 70 years looks and moves as it did when built in the 1840s.

• Make your own money! Try your hand at minting your own coins at 13th century King John’s Castle on the River Shannon in Limerick. The Castle Moneyer shows how coins were minted in the days of King John.

• Get a spectacular view of the lake by stopping off at ‘The Lookout’ viewing point about 10km (6ml) out from Ballina on the Portroe road in Co. Tipperary.

• Watch your step! Follow in Brian Boru’s footsteps and pass under the same archway that the great High King crossed over 1,000 years ago at St. Cronan’s Church, Tuamgraney.

• See some of Ireland’s best… check out two delightful villages, Mountshannon in Co. Clare and Terryglass across the lake in Tipperary, who have won National Tidy Towns Awards.

• Check out ‘The Graves of the Leinstermen’ between Portroe and Ballina in Tipperary where a Leinster King and army are reputed to be buried, having been ambushed on their way to a wedding by Brian Boru’s wife!

• You need a State licence for salmon and sea trout fishing in the region while permits are required to fish salmon and sea trout waters controlled by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and others.

• Don’t miss a trad Irish music session in places like Peppers in Feakle… after all. East Clare is the birthplace of such noted exponents as world-renowned fiddler, Martin Hayes.

• If you’re in Scarriff when the Clare Drama Festival is taking place, make sure to catch a performance – the birthplace of Edna O’Brien, no wonder the area has a great theatrical tradition.