Local Area Information - Things to do
The house is located in the scenic Shannon area and its central location makes it an ideal base for a number of daytrips to some of the most idyllic locations locally or within a short driving distance. The lake Lough Derg - described as Ireland's Pleasure Lake - is 10 minutes by foot and the local Kilgarvan Quay harbour area is a scenic, peaceful and idyllic small quay which is used for fishing, boating or just a stroll around by locals and tourists alike in the summer time. There are steps into the water and you can go for a swim there, too.
Portumna (15 minute drive away - also the nearest bait shop) is a prime coarse angling centre renowned for its quality angling. This area offers good fishing waters which have a good track record. There are several prime angling hotspots, a number which are official match stretches located on the river Shannon itself and the Northern Shores of Lough Derg. For anglers there is an additional fridge/freezer in the garage which can be used as bait fridge and there is plenty of space in the garage for wet gear and tackle storage.
Other activities nearby include horseriding (www.flowerhill.net or www.birrequestrian.ie), go-carting (www.pallaskarting.com). For bird enthousiasts you can watch the magnificent White Tailed Eagle soar over Lough Derg. The eagles have been re-introduced recently and can be watched safely from the shores of Lough Derg.
There is kayaking/canoeing and other watersports on the lake www.loughdergwatersports.com and for walkers Portumna Forest Park offers a variety of walking trails of varying lengths to suit everybody. You can also explore the Forest Park on bike, bikes of all sizes and novelty bikes can be rented out in Portumna (www.dicksbikehire.ie) or even nearer to the holiday house in Ballinderry or Terryglass. And there are some nice coffeeshops in Portumna or pubs in Terryglass and Ballinderry for a wells-deserved cuppa or refreshment after all the walking or cycling !
There is a comprehensive website www.discoverloughderg.ie which lists the main tourist attractions, sporting activities and a lot of other information on what to do around the lake Lough Derg.
Terryglass Village, which is only a 10 minutes drive away is a well-known village on the banks of Lough Derg with two award-winning pubs Paddy's Bar and The Derg Inn, both offering good food throughout the day, Irish music sessions on most weekends and generally a warm welcome to locals and visitors alike. In the summertime the village is buzzing with visitors who arrive into the well-developed harbour on their boats. The two pubs and the local shop are only a 10-minute walk away from Terryglass pier.
Local Attractions: (Driving times by car)
Kilgarvan Quay harbour – 2 minutes
Terryglass Village (pubs, restaurants, harbour) – 10 minutes
Portumna Forest Park – 15 minutes
Dromineer – 25 minutes
Killaloe – 50 minutes
Nenagh – 25 minutes
Birr Castle and Demesne – 40 minutes
Please click on the link below for a picture book of visitor attractions which can all be visited within a daytrip from Shannonview
Picture Book Visitor Attractions - Click here !
Day Trips (Driving time by car)
Bunratty Castle and Folk Park – 1 hour
Limerick – 50 minutes
Galway - 1 hour & Connemara – 2.5 hours
Rock of Cashel - 45 minutes
Cliffs of Moher – 2 hours