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Shannon Princess

Class: Deluxe
Location: Ireland
Guests: 10
Shannon Princess is perfect for:  Couples, Families, Groups of friends, Exceptional historic interest, Beautiful scenery, Irish Culture and Folklore.

The River Shannon and its loughs (lakes) represent Ireland at its finest and your cruise aboard Shannon Princess features a landscape of rolling green fields, ancient Celtic landmarks and an abundance of wildlife.

The legends and fables of Ireland are found everywhere and are well understood by the hospitable Irish people who will be happy to tell you more about the ancient culture. The history of Ireland has been varied and sometimes difficult, but the locals always find the time to chat and perhaps charm you a tale or two of folklore.

During your cruise, there is a programme of fascinating excursions that will you give you a true immersion into the heritage and traditions of this part of Ireland, such as a personal tour of a castle by its eccentric owner, a birds of prey display, visits to a whiskey distillery and hand-weaving workshop and, of course, the chance to sample a pint or two of the ‘black stuff’ – Guinness.

Shannon Princess, accommodating 10 guests in comfort, is the largest hotel barge to be cruising the River Shannon and its picturesque, intertwining lakes. Her thoughtfully-designed interior includes a comfortable saloon and dining area with panoramic windows. The five junior twin/double staterooms, also with picture windows, are stylishly furnished and each is air-conditioned, centrally heated, and accompanied by a modern en suite shower room.

The large rooftop sundeck is certainly the place to relax, perhaps on one of the comfortable loungers, to watch the countryside glide slowly by, or in the heated spa pool. There is also an inviting dining area with circular table to savour that gourmet meal on warmer days.

Shannon Princess’s Captain and his crew will go out of their way to ensure your every need is accommodated, while your Master Chef who was trained at Darina Allen’s world-famous Ballymaloe Cookery School, will create some wonderful signature dishes to make your enthralling voyage through the ‘Emerald Isle’ complete.

Revel in the Irish way of life on an enthralling voyage aboard the Shannon Princess, through the heart of an astounding country.

Features At-A-Glance

10 GUESTS

5 SUITES OF 125 SQ FEET – ALL WITH PICTURES WINDOWS, EN-SUITE BATHROOMS & QUEEN SIZE OR TWIN BEDS.

LUXURIOUS SALON AND DINING AREA WITH LARGE PICTURE WINDOWS AND LEATHERS COUCHES

5 CREW

107 FEET (33 METRES) LONG

WI-FI ON BOARD

AIR CONDITIONED MINIBUS FOR EXCURSIONS

Sunday, Day 1 Glasson

Guests are met in Dublin and transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Shannon Princess. Your Captain and his crew welcome you on board with champagne, Black Velvets or Irish coffees, then time for a stroll and perhaps a visit to St. Flannan’s Cathedral. Dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2 Glasson to Athlone

This morning we begin our cruise around the beautiful Inner Lakes of Lough Ree and then continue north as we explore some of the 365 islands on the lake. We then circle back to the River Shannon and onto our mooring in Athlone Town. After lunch we visit the Kilbeggan Whiskey Distillery, dating from 1757 and the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world. Dinner on board.

Tuesday, Day 3 Athlone to Shannonbridge

Today we negotiate Athlone Lock and head south through Europe’s richest example of a ‘callow’ landscape. We moor at Clonmacnoise ruins, a famed 6th century university and an early monastic settlement. Following a tour, we cruise on to our mooring at Shannonbridge. Then, after lunch we visit Leap Castle, reputed to be Ireland’s most haunted house. You will be given a personal tour by the eccentric owner Sean Ryan, whom with traditional Irish musicians, will relate to you the fascinating history of the castle and its part in founding the American Constitution. Dinner on board.

Wednesday, Day 4 Shannonbridge to Terryglass

This morning, we cruise a very pretty stretch of the River Shannon through Meelick lock, pausing as Portumna swing bridge is opened to allow us passage onto idyllic Lough Derg and then moor at Terryglass Harbour. This afternoon we visit Birr Castle, still resided in by the Earl of Rosse and family, to see the magnificent gardens, the fascinating Science Centre and admire the historic Great Telescope. Dinner on board.

Thursday, Day 5 Terryglass to Mountshannon

Today, our tour is firstly, to the walled gardens of Portumna Castle, then on to Galway, a lively University City and cultural centre for Irish-speaking regions in Western Ireland. Visit the Galway crystal, craft and linen shops and then lunch at a traditional pub famed for its Guinness and oysters. We return to Shannon Princess and set sail across beautiful Lough Derg, passing Forrest Park and ancient mountains as we enjoy our dinner and sunset cruise to Mountshannon – a lovely lakeside village perched above the Lough.

Friday, Day 6 Mountshannon to Killaloe

Today we set sail across south Lough Derg, re-joining the River Shannon to moor at Killaloe, once home to the court of the greatest High King of Ireland, Brian Boru. After exploring this elegant little town, we lunch on board, then set off to Adare Manor, a magnificent estate located on the banks of the River Maigue. Here, in the setting of the Walled Garden, we gain a real insight into the history and tradition of falconry and have the opportunity to ‘get up close and personal’ with birds of prey such as owls, falcons and eagles - a magical experience. We end the afternoon by visiting a traditional Irish hand-weaving workshop. ‘Salinte’ cocktail reception and Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.

Saturday, Day 7 Killaloe

After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Dublin.

This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.

2025 Prices

Value Season
Regular Season

Suite per person

Value Season: €5,350
High Season: €6,090

Single Supplement

Value Season: €1,900
High Season: €2,200

Charter Max. 6 pax.

Value Season: €43,800
High Season: €50,000

Charter Max. 8 pax.

Value Season: €46,400
High Season: €53,000

Charter Max. 10 pax.

Value Season: €49,000
High Season: €56,000

Note all our prices are in euros. Please ask us if you live in the USA and would like prices in US dollars. We convert to Australian dollars at current exchange rates on the day of payment of deposit/full payment.

Departure Dates 2025

Value Season

April 20,27

Regular Season

May 04, 11, 18, 25; June 01, 08, 15, 22, 29; July 06, 13, 20, 27; August 03, 10, 17, 24, 31; September 07, 14, 21, 28; October 05

Price is all-inclusive - inclusions are:

  • Local transfers between Dublin and the hotel barge (the approximate transfer duration is 2hrs / 2hrs 30mins depending on the cruise direction)
  • A luxury 6 night cruise, all meals on board catered for by the on board Master Chef
  • An open bar 24/7 with a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
  • All wines served throughout the cruise, excursions and admittance fees as per the itinerary
  • The services of 5 crew and use of barge facilities, which include wireless internet access, spa-pool and bicycles on request

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