Lanesborough on the East Bank of the River Shannon

Lanesborough is situated on the east bank of the River Shannon, at the northern end of Lough Ree. Its river and lakeside setting provides the backdrop for sightseeing cruises departing from the marina. In the town, Lough Ree Distillery offers an introduction to Irish whiskey-making; its Gin School adds a second focus with hands-on workshops. South of Lanesborough, the ruins of Rathcline Castle make a striking sight against a rural backdrop. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can weigh up these different interests: trips on the water, spirits production or historic architecture.

Sightseeing Cruises on Lough Ree

Lough Ree Access For All offers sightseeing cruises from Lanesborough Marina to Quaker Island and Barley Harbour. You can use the destination of each trip to help plan your visit. Lough Ree Access For All has roll-on/roll-off access that does not require assistance. Check current departure times and access information before your visit, as operational details may change.

Whiskey and Gin in Lanesborough

A visit to Lough Ree Distillery offers a personal journey into the heart of Irish whiskey-making. The Gin School runs hands-on workshops on making gin. The experiences differ in both their subject matter and format: the distillery visit focuses on whiskey production, while the workshops offer practical involvement with gin. If either of these experiences matches your travel interests, it may influence your decision to stay in Lanesborough.

Rathcline Castle: Architecture with Restricted Access

Rathcline Castle lies south of Lanesborough. The ruins are privately owned and not open to the public, so do not plan to visit them as an accessible attraction. They nevertheless make a striking sight against a rural backdrop. The complex includes a tower house, an enclosed bawn, or castle courtyard, and a fortified 17th-century manor house that was later remodelled. The courtyard and manor house add further structures to the fortified complex alongside the tower house.

Further Perspectives in County Longford

At the county level, the Royal Canal Greenway is a distinct walking and cycling route. It is 130 km long and runs from Maynooth in County Kildare to Clondra in County Longford. Along the route are 90 bridges, 33 locks, 17 harbours and four aqueducts. This county-wide route offers a different perspective from the sightseeing cruises on Lough Ree: here, the focus is on walking and cycling along the canal, while there, it is on travelling to a destination on the lake.

The National Famine Way runs through County Longford as the Royal Canal Greenway. This 165 km signposted walking and cycling route follows the last known journey on Irish soil of 1,490 people who were forced to leave Strokestown in County Roscommon in 1847. The route is thus connected to a specific, documented historical story. Along with the Greenway, this perspective on County Longford offers a different way to plan a trip from the activities based directly in Lanesborough.

Discover more destinations: Moyne, Longford, Cloondara, Edgeworthstown, Killashee, Mosstown, Granard, Ballymahon.

For the broader travel overview: County Longford.