Local Information :: Family Holidays River Shannon
Banagher
Banagher is a scenic and charming Shannon-side village with an impressive history. As one of the few crossing points on the Shannon between the provinces of Leinster and Connaught, the village of Banagher held an important military strategic position. Any army that wanted to cross the river had few choices: Banagher, Athlone, Shannonbridge or Portumna. As a result numerous castles, forts and Martello towers dot the surrounding landscape.
In addition many of the early travellers to this region were pilgrims. As a result numerous ecclesiastical monuments remain. North-west of Banagher, on the Connaught side of the river, was the monastic establishment of Clonfert, with the more famous Clonmacnoise a short distance further north. Not far to the south-west on the same side was another monastic foundation, at Meelick.
A number of notable literary figures have stayed at Banagher, including Anthony Trollope who used Banagher for inspiration for his first novel “The Macdermots of Ballycloran” and Charlotte Brontë who married a curate raised in Banagher.
Corrigans “The Corner House” Public House
Located in the centre of the town, Corrigan’s is a traditional Irish family-run pub. Around the corner Corrigan’s Off Licence & Wine Merchants stocks leading brands of wines and spirits.
Flynns Bar & Lounge
A family-run pub, Flynn’s was first established in 1914. Now serving food and drink Flynn’s also has live music at weekends.
Clonmacnoise
An early Christian site founded by St. Ciarán in the mid-6th century includes the ruins of a cathedral, seven churches (10th-13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and the largest collection of Early Christian graveslabs in Western Europe.
Clonfert
Founded by St. Brendan the Navigator in 577AD Clonfert soon became a famous school of sanctity and learning.
Meelick
Meelick has the oldest Irish Roman Catholic church with continuous use since 1414 AD. Originally founded as a Franciscan abbey, the church and sacristy are still in use today.
Birr Castle
Home to Lord and Lady Rosse and their family, Birr Castle is also home to Ireland’s Historic Science Centre, The Great Telescope and demesne.
Cloghan Castle
Cloghan Castle is located between Gort and Loughrea, just outside the village of Kilchreest in Co. Galway.
Slieve Bloom Mountains
The Slieve Bloom mountains is made up of forests, blanket bogs that are unique to Ireland, interspersed with hidden valleys of great character, and interest to the nature lovers.
Birr Golf Club
18 hole golf course, Par 70. Carved out of natural woodland and eskers Birr Golf Club provides a strong challenge for even the most accomplished golfers.
Esker Hills Golf Club
A Christy O’Connor Jnr. designed course, Esker Hills Golf Club is regarded as one of Ireland’s leading inland golf courses.
The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board
Offers extensive game, coarse, pike and sea angling guides, describing the hundreds of fisheries located in the region.
The River Queen
A fully licensed fifty-four seat cruiser which sails the river Shannon on a one and a half hour cruise, the “River Queen” sails daily from Shannonbridge.
Other Attractions include:
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18 Hole Golf Course<5Km
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Angling<1Km
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Indoor Swimming Pool<15Km
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Outdoor Swimming Pool<3Km
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Nearest Pub<3Km
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Nearest Restaurant<3Km
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Nearest Shop<3Km
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Public Playground<1Km
