Page 191 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

THE L OWER SHANNON  189

Exploring the Shannon Source of the
NORTHWEST Shannon
Carrick-on-Shannon is the main IRELAND
Shannon-Erne Waterway
centre for boating on the upper Lough Allen
reaches of the river, while
Portumna and the atmospheric Leitrim
ports of Mountshannon and Lough Key Carrick-on-Shannon
Killaloe are the principal bases
for exploring Lough Derg. Kilglass
Lough
THE WEST OF Royal Canal
IRELAND
Lough
Ree
THE
Fishing on Lough Derg, the largest of the Cruiser on the Shannon Athlone MIDLANDS
lakes on the Shannon
Key
6 River Shannon Grand Canal
Tourist information Banagher
Road map B4, C4, C3. £ to Limerick Cruiser hire
or Athlone. @ to Carrick-on-Shannon, Water-bus tour Portumna
Athlone or Limerick. n Arthur’s
Quay, Limerick (061 317522). Lough Derg
∑ discoverireland.ie Mountshannon Dromineer
The Shannon is the longest river THE LOWER
in Ireland, rising in County Killaloe Ballina SHANNON
Cavan and meandering down
to the Atlantic. Flowing through Shannon Estuary Limerick 0 kms
the heart of the island, it has 20
traditionally marked the border 0 miles 10
between the provinces of
Leinster and Connaught. In
medieval times, castles guarded reaching Lough Derg, the Derg, which is the lake most
the major fords from Limerick biggest of the lakes on geared to boat ing. Water-buses
to Portumna, and numerous the Shannon. The scenery connect most ports south of
monasteries were built along is more dramatic here, with Athlone. If you hire a cruiser,
the riverbanks, including the the lough’s southern end edged enquire about the weather
celebrated Clonmacnoise (see by wooded mountains. From conditions before setting out,
pp254–5). Work began on the Killaloe (see p194), the particularly on Loughs Ree
Shannon navigation system in river gains speed on its and Derg, which are very
the 1750s, but it fell into disuse rush towards Limerick exposed. The calm stretch
with the advent of the railways. (see p195) and the sea. The from Portumna (see p219)
It has since been revived, with mudflats of the Shannon to Athlone is easier for
the Shannon–Erne Waterway estuary attract a great inexperienced sailors.
the latest stretch to be variety of birdlife. The port Walkers can enjoy the
restored (see p239). of Carrick-on-Shannon (see Lough Derg Way, a sign-
There are subtle p239) is the cruising centre posted route around the lake.
changes of landscape of Ireland, but there are bases The woods by Lough Key
along the length Grey heron on all along the river – (see p223) also provide good
of the river. South of the Shannon especially around Lough walking territory.
Lough Allen, the
countryside is covered with the
drumlins or low hills typical of
the northern Midlands. Towards
Lough Ree, islands stud the
river in an area of ecological
importance which is home to
otters, geese, grey herons and
whooper swans. Continuing
south beyond Athlone (see
p253), the river flows through
flood plains and bog before Athlone and the southern reaches of Lough Ree
For key to symbols see back flap

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