Tee off all along the River Shannon with a boating holiday

Thursday, 13 October 2011 9:21 AM

If golf is your activity of choice when you head off on a getaway, consider booking boating holidays in Ireland along the River Shannon. Travelling onboard a vessel allows you to thoroughly explore an area, affording you the chance to practise your swing on various surrounding greens.

Rising in County Cavan and stretching for 386 km to Lough Allen in County Leitrim, the River Shannon is the longest of Ireland's waterways. Take a break along the route and you'll be able to admire picturesque scenery, visit quaint villages and hone your golfing skills on a variety of courses.

Make Carrick-on-Shannon your starting point for a boating holiday, as from here you'll be well placed to make your way to spots like Roosky and Athlone. Spend some time getting familiar with your vessel and afterwards why not explore the area?

Enjoy a hearty meal in one of the local pubs, where you might be invited to join in with some singsong, and call in at the stunning golf course here, which boasts 18 holes spread over the banks of Drumharlow Lake and Boyle River.

Carrick Golf Club once had only nine holes - these are set in mature parkland and now constitute the first five and the last four holes of the 18. Some shots are renowned for their difficulty, such as the 13th hole, which is a par three and measures 200 metres. Others require a carry-over of the River Boyle, so you can be sure of some exciting action here.

Once you've exhausted all the area has to offer, cruise on to Roosky, where you can climb ashore and stretch your legs at Lough Rynn House and Gardens. This is a beautiful spot, comprising lakeside walks, historical buildings, nature trails and ornamental gardens, while there are also a few links courses nearby.

If you fancy another game on the green, you could head to courses at Strandhill or Rosses Point, both of which are less than an hour away.

However, if you'd like to have a go at another activity during River Shannon boating holidays, why not make your way to Lakeland Fishery? Spanning 20 acres in the heart of Ireland's lakes region, the location is a well-known centre for angling fans. Relax in the peaceful setting and cast a line - among the species you could pick up are carp, tench and bream.

Back on your boat, head on to Lanesborough, where you'll find pretty Lough Ree. Close by is Glasson Golf Club, so you're likely to want to moor up for a while here. The course has been in action since 1993, hosting the European Challenge Tour in 2007 and 2008, so as you can imagine the standard of the green is high.

Enjoy panoramic views of the lake as you play, and expect a challenge - there is water on five holes and the 14th shot is particularly daunting.

Another course can be found in the area if you feel you haven't yet had your fill of golf - Hodson Bay in Athlone. Founded in 1894, the course here offers 18 testing holes and wonderful views over Lough Ree.

Athlone is the capital of the Midlands and as such offers some great shopping opportunities, as well as the chance to visit the castle here. Walk along the battlements and head to the visitor centre to find out more about its history, before making your way to the Derryglad Folk Museum, where you can discover Ireland's farm and folk life since the 18th century.

Head next to Clonmacnoise - an ancient monastic site situated on the east side of the Shannon. The spot dates back almost 1500 years and is well worth a visit if you have even a passing interest in history.

Afterwards, you might like to journey on to Shannonbridge, which is renowned as a great location for fishing. Among the species you might net here are trout, perch, pike, rudd, eel and salmon. Just outside the pretty village is Shannonbridge Pottery - a leader in Ireland for all sorts of earthenware and porcelain items. The factory shop is open most days and boasts a good range of products if you're considering investing in a new tea set or other goods.

The River Shannon is an ideal destination for golfing holidays that also give you the chance to explore Ireland's rich culture and history. Book your break today to experience all this firsthand.