Emerald Star

See Ireland from a new perspective...as the Captain of your own cruise. Let Emerald Star put you at the helm of a boat that fits your and your family's needs. You've perhaps dreamed of a week-long European canal/river cruise but feel you lack the nautical experience for it. Every year, thousands of people discover just how easy inland cruising is. Hands on help and instruction are always given before departure. You will cast off with appropriate instructions to the first mate only when you...and Emerald Star...feel confident that you will have a great holiday. Most of the time, a half-hour instructional run is all that is necessary. Welcome to the world of Waterways cruising in Ireland on the Shannon-Erne. What a remarkable waterway it is, all 500 km.

You may not have enough vacation time to do it all, but three well-equipped and well-placed marinas at Carrick-on-Shannon, Belturbet, and Portumna enable the Emerald Star to arrange any part of it for you.

For instance, choose the week-long Belturbet to Carrick-on-Shannon cruise, 150 km through 32 modernized locks. You will join the Shannon at the little village of Leitrim. From there, you can take a side trip into scenic Lough Allen and then further south, island-studded Lough Key is a jewel among Roscommon's lakes.

Or, spend your week on the Lough Erne cruise which will take you from Belturbet to Belleek, a distance of 130 km with no locks. You will explore the upper Lough Erne with its beautiful reed-covered islands and be able to tie up at Enniskillen. Lower Lough Erne is one of Europe's least crowded waterways. Tully Castle, Boa Island, and Castle Caldwell are just some of the attractions before you reach Belleek, home of world-famous pottery.

You may prefer to travel south from Carrick-on-Shannon to Portumna (150 km, 5 locks). Your prop will stir the tranquil waters of Lough Ree and then Lough Derg as you sail south past Lanesborough, Athlone, the ancient monastic site at Clonemacnoise and Shannon Bridge. Each of these is a one-week cruise but three-day charters are an option, and you don't have to retrace your course. Emerald Star will have your car waiting for you when you arrive at the destination of your choice. And a wide variety of beautiful cruisers is available that sleep from two to ten adults. And be sure to rent bikes to take along for easy access to portside restaurants and attractions.

Rest assured you won't be casting off into uncharted waters. Emerald Star furnishes detailed waterway guides and cruising maps for the entire Shannon-Erne. These show where locks are located, where fresh-water tanks can be filled, where the best docking facilities and anchorages are located, as well as portside places of interest. These aids are indispensable. They can be purchased in advance as an invaluable aid to trip planning.

Do something really different your next holiday. Discover Ireland from the water on the Shannon-Erne as the captain of your own vessel. Emerald Star will show you how.

Sample Per Week Prices:

The Consort, which will accommodate 2 adults, 2 children rents midseason for €1200. The Grand Classique, 10 adults, rents midseason approx. €4000. Full touring, rental, and price guide available at www.emeraldstar.ie.

How to get there:

From Dublin, N4 (2hr drive).

Address:

Emerald Star

The Marina

Carrick-on-Shannon

Co. Leitrim

T: 00353 719 623 710

www.emeraldstar.ie

Written by Joy Davis - Summer of Travel 2007