A boat hire holiday on the Shannon in Ireland offers numerous opportunities to visit historical and archealogical sites. The longest river in the British Isles, the Shannon has played an important part in history throughout Irish history. Many monastaries were built on islands in the river to protect from pillagers but seagoing races like the Vikings made them more difficult to defend. The Shannon River was also an important trade route right up to the 20th century. You can visit many of these islands by boat including Clonmacnoise, Holy Island and Devenish Island.
Nestled in the picturesque waters of Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, lies Boa Island, a small but historically significant landmass.
White island is renowned for its ancient monastic site, dating back to the early Christian period.
Beyond its historical treasures, Devenish Island is a haven for wildlife and natural beauty.
Enniskillen Castle was constructed around 1428 by Hugh ‘The Hospitable’ Maguire, the chieftain of the powerful Maguire clan.
Trace the footprints of the generations who shaped this place. From early settlements and warring chieftains to foreign invaders and local heroes.
St Ciarán founded his monastery on the banks of the River Shannon in the 6th Century. The monastery flourished and became a great seat of learning, a University of its time with students from all over Europe.
Built by the fourth earl of Clanricarde, Portumna Castle was the de Burgo family power base for centuries.
Nestled in the serene waters of Lough Derg in County Clare, Ireland, Holy Island, or Inis Cealtra as it's known in Irish, is a site of profound historical and spiritual significance.