Scarriff: Lough Derg, Cycling Routes and Market Town History

Scarriff lies at the heart of the Lough Derg Blueway. Water activities, cycling trips and historic places offer different ways to shape your stay. In the town, you’ll find water-based activities and various cycling routes; paths and historic sites in the surrounding area add to the options. You can also discover Scarriff’s historic significance as a market town at the Market House.

Water and Activities in Scarriff

Boats can travel along the shore of Lough Derg from Scarriff Harbour. Scariff Harbour is a stopping point for boats travelling up and down the River Shannon; Scarriff also serves as a stopping point for recreational boats today. If you’re interested in water activities, the Derg Isle Adventure Centre in Scarriff offers kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, boat hire, water zorbing and fishing. The centre also offers an obstacle course, a climbing wall, archery and zip-lining. This gives you a choice of different kinds of activities: you can consider both water-based and land-based options for your travel group, without making just one activity the focus of your stay.

Cycling Routes and Trails

There are various cycling routes from Scarriff, and a bike ride can start and finish in the town. This gives you several options if you’d like cycling to be part of your trip. A 9-kilometre trail runs from Scarriff via Scariff Bay to Mountshannon, with views of Lough Derg and Inis Cealtra (Holy Island). The Ballycroum Forest Loop Walk is also nearby: the 7-kilometre route passes through woodland and open terrain and features diverse wildlife as well as ancient graves. The two trail descriptions highlight different features: views of Lough Derg and Inis Cealtra on one route, and woodland, open terrain, wildlife and ancient graves on the other.

History and Local Discoveries

The Market House reflects Scarriff’s historic significance as a market town. The building also houses the Fáilte Ireland-recognised Scariff Community Tourist Office. If you’re interested in ancient remains, Cappabane Wedge Tomb lies 2 kilometres north of Scarriff and is believed to be around 4,000 years old. Castlebawn Castle offers a different historic landmark: it is a 16th-century tower house on a small island near the shoreline in Scariff Bay. In the surrounding area, an ancient tomb with an approximate age and a tower house from a clearly identified historical period offer different points of interest.

Another place to discover nearby is the Irish Seed Savers shop. It sells heirloom seeds, historic Irish apple trees and organic apple juice. This adds products distinct from the water and outdoor activities to the choice of trails and historic places.

The cycling routes and Adventure Centre are associated with Scarriff; Cappabane Wedge Tomb and Castlebawn Castle are nearby.

Also discover Labasheeda, Liscannor, Ennis, Bodyke, Canower, Killinaboy, Doolin and Broadford.

For the broader travel overview: County Clare.