Banagher to Lough Derg and back

After the handover, a gentle hour downstream to Meelick, so that tomorrow starts right at the lock. You pass Shannonside Marina, a private marina for berth holders, on the Offaly bank. Meelick Quay, on the Galway bank just above Victoria Lock, is peaceful but has no facilities or restaurants nearby, so bring dinner with you. Walk across the 1840s weir on the walkway, part of the Hymany Way, to look at the lock, and visit St Francis' Church, which began as a Franciscan friary approved by the Pope in 1414 and still holds services. On the Offaly side stands an unusual cam-shaped Martello tower of about 1811.

Be at Victoria Lock when it opens at 09:30 (keeper +353 90 975 1359) and follow the marks past the big weir into the lock cut. A few kilometres above Portumna, keep to the channel past Ballymacegan Island, a protected underwater heritage area. Portumna Bridge swings open only at set times: from April to September at 10:00, 11:00, 12:30, 14:30, 16:00, 17:30 and 18:30 from Monday to Saturday, with six openings on Sundays. Wait at the floating jetty above the bridge. Below it the lake opens, and Terryglass is a short run down the Tipperary shore; check the lake forecast before you leave Meelick. Moor along the inner harbour walls; Paddy's Bar and The Derg Inn serve food.

Terryglass has no pump-out, so plan to use the one at Dromineer. Today's crossing is roughly 22 km of open lake: read the forecast and warnings, keep to the marked channel, and if the wind is strong, especially from the south, stay put for the day. Dromineer, where the Nenagh River enters the lake, has a public marina with floating jetties, shore power and a pump-out, and a new service building opened in 2026. The Whiskey Still, the village pub and restaurant, is a few steps from your berth, and the medieval tower house stands on the shore. Lough Derg Yacht Club, founded in 1835, has its harbour here too.

Head south down the open lake, checking the forecast first, and stop for lunch at Garrykennedy, where the floating jetties outside the old stone harbour take visiting cruisers and the thatched Larkins serves food and traditional music. The lake then narrows towards Killaloe & Ballina, where public jetties lie above the old bridge on both banks. Do not go under the bridge, which leaves only about 3.85 m at normal summer level. Visit St Flannan's Cathedral, from about 1200 and open daily, and walk the old bridge, open only to walkers and cyclists since 2025.

A short crossing back up the lake to the Clare shore; check the forecast first, as this is open water. Mountshannon harbour fills up on summer evenings, so arrive by early afternoon. It has berths on the wall and on floating jetties, shore power, a pump-out, toilets and showers. From the pier, a local historian runs daily boat trips to Inis Cealtra from April to September when the weather allows, with no need to book. The island has a round tower about 24 m tall, six ruined churches and a holy well. Back ashore, the Blue Flag bathing area beside the harbour has lifeguards in summer.

The longest lake day, about 28 km north to the head of the lake. Read the forecast before you leave: if a strong wind is coming, especially from the south, the waves build quickly, and it is better to wait a day and make day 7 a long one. Tie up at Castle Harbour, the public lake harbour beside the demesne of Portumna Castle, upgraded in 2017. The early 17th-century castle of the de Burgo earls has formal and walled gardens, the forest park covers almost 450 hectares, and the Irish Workhouse Centre runs guided tours from March to October. Shops and pubs are about a kilometre away.

Check the forecast for the short lake stretch from Castle Harbour, and aim for one of the morning bridge openings, at 10:00 or 11:00 on most days, because the run home is close to four hours with the lock. Above the bridge, follow the channel past Ballymacegan Island and up to Victoria Lock, timing your arrival outside the 13:00–14:00 break. Meelick Quay is a handy place to wait if you are early. From the lock it is about an hour up the river to Banagher. Silverline and Carrickcraft both run their bases from the marina there; return the boat at the time your company gives you, and keep the evening for a last session at JJ Hough's.