SEVEN DAYS / SIX NIGHTS
The 10-passenger Shannon Princess II is the largest luxury hotel barge cruising the Lower Shannon River. Her thoughtfully designed interior includes five cabins with twin or double beds with picture windows, a large, comfortable salon, dining area and full-length sun deck. Her experienced owners, who serve as Captain and chef, go out of their way to accommodate your every need. Your chef was trained at the Ballymaloe School and distinguishes herself at every meal with signature dishes such as parcels of wild salmon, roast of spring lamb, variations of shellfish stew with fresh herbs and of course a grand selection of desserts.
Next to being aboard the wonderful Shannon Princess II itself, one of the biggest treats is to go armchair traveling via Dan Heller's photography. On this page, we include a collection of photographs Dan took aboard the Shannon Princess II, which he graciously has shared to give you an insight into the unique nature of this exceptional hotel-barge, cruising the Shannon River in Ireland. And we invite you to see his entire collection of wonderful photographs that capture the essence of places around the world. (See details at the end of this page.)
My husband and I, with four other friends, have just completed a trip on the Shannon Princess. We had a marvelous time, loved the boat; the crew was fantastic, the meals were delicious, and the service was outstanding. We were joined by 2 other congenial couples.
--P.W., MD, USA
Sunday - Quigley's Marina, Glasson
Guests shall be met at 3.00pm at the Dublin city centre hotel and transferred by coach to the Shannon Princess at Quigley's Marina. Your Captain and his crew welcome you on board the delightful Shannon Princess with Champagne, Black Velvets or Irish Coffees! Dinner on board.
Monday - Quigley's Marina to Athlone
This morning we begin our cruise around the beautiful "Inner Lakes" of Lough Ree and then continue north to Lough Ree as we explore some of the 365 islands on the lake. We then circle back to the River and onto our mooring in Athlone Town. After lunch we depart by bus to the "Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre." The centre interprets an Iron Age bog road which was built in the year 148 BC across the Boglands close to the River Shannon. The oak road is the largest of its kind to have been uncovered in Europe and was excavated over the years by Professor Barry Raferty of University College Dublin. Dinner on board.
Tuesday - Athlone to Shannonbridge
The Shannon Princess descends through Athlone Lock and heads south through Europe's richest example of "Callow" landscape. Countryside little changed in over 1000 years. This is one of Ireland's premier Wildfowl Reserves. We moor at Clonmacnoise ruins, a famed 6th Century University and early Christian settlement. After a visit to the interpretive centre we lunch onboard enroute to Shannon Bridge arriving mid-afternoon to this typical Irish riverside town. After Lunch we depart by bus to "Birr Castle," Ireland's Historical Science Centre and home of the Oldest Telescope in the World, with its glorious landscaped gardens dating from the 17th Century and family seat of the Earls of Ross. Dinner on board.
Wednesday - Shannonbridge to Terryglass
We travel a very pretty stretch of the Shannon with an ever-changing landscape slipping by. Traveling down through Meelick lock, pausing as Portumna swing bridge is opened to allow the Shannon Princess passage onto idyllic Lough Derg. We moor at Terryglass Harbour. Lunch at the Derg Inn in the Village. Time to explore this charming Hamlet before an afternoon excursion to "Leap Castle," reputed to be Ireland's most haunted house. You will be greeted by Sean Ryan and his family who will invite you in to their unusual home and Sean, a renowned musician, will tell you the fascinating history of the castle and the part it played in founding the American Constitution. Sean will gladly play a few tunes with possibly the added bonus of being joined by his talented young daughter who will demonstrate her amazing dancing skills. Dinner on board.
Thursday - Terryglass to Galway to Mountshannon
A full day excursion to Galway City - a lively University City and cultural centre for Irish speaking regions in Western Ireland. Visit Galway crystal and a profusion of craft and linen shops. Lunch at a Traditional Guinness and Oyster pub. Return to Shannon Princess and set sail through the especially beautiful Lough Derg passing Forrest Park and ancient mountains as we set our course for Mountshannon - a lovely lakeside village perched above the Lough. Dinner on board.
Friday - Mountshannon to Killaloe
This morning we set sail through south Lough Derg and her many Islands rejoining the River Shannon and entering Killaloe, once home to the court of the greatest High King of Ireland, Brian Boru. We moor on the Tipperary side of this elegant little town, with plenty of time for you to visit the town. After lunch on board, we set off by bus on our excursion to a unique project set in the grounds of Graggaunowen Castle, designed to bring Bronze Age and Celtic culture to life. Also on display is a reconstructed hide boat used by Irish Monks to sail to North America in the 5th Century. Dinner on board.
Saturday - Killaloe to Dublin
Transfer by coach to the Aberdeen Lodge Hotel.
Itinerary is subject to change and runs in reverse direction on alternate weeks.
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*Note: Cruise directions and sample itineraries may be in reverse and are subject to change and may depend on bookings and local navigation conditions. Alternate excursions of equal appeal are substituted when needed. For charter cruises special itineraries can be arranged.
| SHANNON PRINCESS II 2008 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | VALUE Apr 20 thru May 24 |
REGULAR May 25 thru Oct 4 |
| Suite (per person, double occupancy) |
$3,700 |
$4,200 |
| Suite Single Supplement |
$1,200 |
$1,200 |
| Charter for up to 10 |
$35,000 |
$39,000 |
| Golf Cruise Charter Supplement for up to 10 |
$7,000 |
$7,000 |
| SHANNON PRINCESS II 2009 SEASON PRICES in US DOLLARS | ||
|---|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATION | VALUE Apr 19 thru May 16 |
REGULAR May 17 thru Oct 31 |
| Suite (per person, double occupancy) |
$4,100 |
$4,700 |
| Suite Single Supplement |
$1,400 |
$1,400 |
| Charter for up to 10 |
$39,000 |
$43,000 |
| Golf Cruise Charter Supplement for up to 10 |
$46,000 |
$50,000 |
What's Included
- 7 days and 6 nights on the barge, all cabins with private bath
- transfers from Dublin to the barge and return
- all meals beginning with dinner on Sunday through breakfast on Saturday
- all wines with lunches and dinners
- open bar
- all escorted side-excursions (hot air ballooning, golf, etc. at additional cost)
- use of bicycles
What's Not Included
- suggested 5-7% gratuity for the crew, to be paid in equivalent Euros to the captain
- overseas air transportation to Dublin and return
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Special Places Travel, LLC "Barges in France (and the rest of Europe) ... for the experience of a lifetime!" ™
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