Portumna short break on north Lough Derg

From Connacht Harbour you go through Portumna Bridge, whose swing span opens at set times: in summer the last openings are 18:30 from Monday to Saturday and 17:00 on Sundays. Wait on the floating jetty above the bridge. If the briefing runs late, you miss the bridge or the wind is strong, spend the night in Connacht Harbour, which is public, and leave in the morning. Below the bridge the river opens into the lake, and Terryglass harbour is only a few kilometres down the eastern shore. Tie up along the sheltered inner walls. The village, ten minutes' walk away, won the national Tidy Towns title twice, and Paddy's Bar and The Derg Inn both serve food and host music.

A lazy morning: the harbour has a playground and a picnic and barbecue area, and the four towers of Old Court, the Marshal family's castle of 1219–1232, stand beside it (outside view only). Then comes the run south to Dromineer, about 22 km of open lake. Check the lake forecast and warnings before you leave, keep to the marked channel, and if the wind is strong, stay a second night in Terryglass and come straight back to Portumna on day 3. Dromineer's public marina has floating jetties, shore power and a pump-out, and The Whiskey Still is a few steps from the berths. Walk to the ruined tower house on the shore before dinner.

Before setting off, look in at the beach next to the harbour, an official bathing water, or at the yacht club, which has held regattas since 1836. The way back is about three hours on the open lake, so the weather rule applies again. Plan the last part around a bridge opening, because the base is above the span. If you arrive early, Castle Harbour on the lake is public and puts you next to Portumna Castle, an early 17th-century house of the de Burgo earls with formal and walled gardens, and the forest park. Then take the next opening through to Connacht Harbour for your last night at the base.