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Great activity

If you’re looking for an interesting visitor destination that offers a variety of activity options to suit different interests, from the highly energetic to the more sedate, then Lough Derg North is the place for you.

This is an area that stretches from the northern shores of the spectacular lake, bordered by counties Galway and North Tipperary, and follows the mighty River Shannon on its upstream path towards Lough Ree. A number of delightful harbour towns and nearby centres lie along the way.

Unspoilt waterways on placid lake and majestic river signal an abundance of enjoyment and leisure opportunities, with easy access from marinas and delightful harbours on the Galway, North Tipperary and South-West Offaly shores.

Relaxed cruising or angling and more strenuous pursuits such as water skiing and wakeboarding are all readily available in this beautifully scenic area.

But there’s no shortage of things to do for landlubbers either. You can enjoy great golf, horse riding, gentle walks and rewarding cycles in what is a tranquil and picturesque landscape setting.

A more detailed outline of the activity options on the water or on dry land can be got by clicking on the Lots to Do link and then on the On the Water or In the nearby Countryside options, depending on your fancy.

The following, however, are just some of the possibilities worth considering while based in the Lough Derg North area to whet your interest:

Cruising: There are two fine, well-equipped marinas in the area, at Portumna, Co. Galway and Banagher, Co. Offaly, where three cruiser companies provide extensive facilities for hiring out and captaining your own boat on the lake and river.

Angling: This area is an angler’s dream. Great stretches of productive waters on the lake and river, and their tributaries, offer great opportunities to cast a line.

Centres such as Portumna and Rossmore Pier at the mouth of the Woodford River in Co. Galway, Terryglass, Kilgarvan and Carrigahorig Bay in North Tipperary and Banagher and Shannonbridge in Offaly are among the fishing ‘hotspots’.

Watersports: Areas such as Terryglass, Portumna and Banagher are becoming noted internationally as fine venues for pursuits such as wakeboarding, water skiing and canoeing. Feel the breeze in your hair as you speed through the uncongested waters in these parts of the lake and river.

Specialist canoeing, camping and other water-based activity pursuits are catered for by companies such as Shannon Adventure Canoeing & Camping Holidays in Banagher and Birr Outdoor Education Centre – see Canoeing/Kayaking for more details.

Golf: With a number of well-appointed 18-hole and 9-hole golf courses and a Driving Range in the immediate vicinity, there are many opportunities to tee off in style in this part of Lough Derg.

18-hole golf courses at Portumna, Birr and Roscrea, a 9-hole course at Oldthort near Portumna and a Driving Range in Birr all welcome visitors and have many attractive features. Check out Golf for more details.

Walking: The varied landscape, combining great lake and river views with mountain and countryside terrain, provides good territory for pleasant walks and leisurely exploration around here.

If you are into seeking out a more organised walking route, check out the Offaly Way which stretches for 29km (18ml) and takes you through very interesting mountain, riverside and bogland. 

Cycling: For cycling enthusiasts, there is a choice of organised cycle routes to choose from. The 132km (82ml) circular Lough Derg Cycleway takes in many parts of Lough Derg North, including Portumna and Terryglass.

This region is also featured in the ‘Slates and Stars and Silvermines Cycleway’ with Birr and Roscrea among the main stopping points.

As the name suggests, you will get a close insight into the historical and ecclesiastical wonders of this part of the world when you take the ‘Castles and Churches of Clare and Galway’ Cycle, which takes in Portumna and other East Galway locations. For more details on all these cycleways, check out Cycling and Info Downloads

Equestrian: Galway and Tipperary are noted for their great equestrian tradition and it’s no surprise to find a number of well-appointed centres in the area that offer a choice of horse riding and equestrian facilities and holiday packages. Check out Equestrian for more information.

Eco-tourism: From majestic red deer at Portumna Forest Park in Co. Galway to a wonderful sanctuary for birds, including the corncrake, other wildlife and flora in the famous Shannon Callows wet grasslands area near Banagher, Co. Offaly… this is great territory for getting close to nature.

Add in the beautiful Birr Castle Gardens and Demesne, plus the Slieve Bloom Mountains and Glens not too far away which are home to an impressive variety of wildlife, and you have plenty to occupy your attention and interest. Find out more by checking on the link Eco-tourism

Leisurely drives: You can get a great sense of the wonderful history and beauty of this part of Ireland by taking a leisurely drive through the villages and countryside. There are a number of suggested drives to choose from.

Portumna and Terryglass are among the areas bordering the lake featured in ‘A Drive around Lough Derg’ while ‘A Drive in the heart of the Shannon Valley’ certainly brings you to the centre of this great waterway region and many points within North Tipperary, East Galway and South Offaly.

Starting and finishing in Birr, ‘A Drive through County Offaly’ will enable you to explore the many scenic parts and interesting sights of this county.

Check out more details of these drives in Leisurely Drives and Info Downloads