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23 Mar 11 - 12:32 PM (#3119858) Subject: BS: Advice sought--longboating in Ireland From: Amos The Missus and I are contemplating taking a week to longboat (canalboat) through parts of IReland. We are considering the Shannon, but we might prefer starting closer to Dublin, assuming we would land there from US. Or something else--we are neophytes at this. Anyone have recommendations of dealers who let boats, or routes, sights and sites, and places where they won't shoot you for singing on deck as you drift by? :D Who should we talk to to make a great vacation out of this? A |
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23 Mar 11 - 12:47 PM (#3119866) Subject: RE: BS: Advice sought--longboating in Ireland From: MartinRyan The Shannon is the main focus of inland boating holidays in Ireland, particularly since it is now possible to connect through to the Erne waterway in the North. Lots of hire companies in the business. Narrowboats/barges not really suitable due to the open water of the main lakes, essentially. Both the Royal Canal (...All along the banks of...) and Grand canal are, officially, open to navigation from Dublin to the Shannon but have little tourist trade except in one or two areas (Health warning: AS FAR AS I KNOW!). There is some traffic on the Barrow (South East of the Republic). The best source of info on inland cruising in Ireland is the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, a voluntary body of enthusiasts. I'll post some links if I can find them Regards p.s. I lived in Athlone - near the mid point of the Shannon's course - for many years and sailed dinghies/small yachts there. |
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23 Mar 11 - 01:40 PM (#3119895) Subject: RE: BS: Advice sought--longboating in Ireland From: MartinRyan Inland Waterways Association of Ireland Regards |
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23 Mar 11 - 01:44 PM (#3119899) Subject: RE: BS: Advice sought--longboating in Ireland From: MartinRyan p.s. Be prepared to be shocked by hire prices - unless things have changed dramatically in recent years! |
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24 Mar 11 - 07:20 AM (#3120282) Subject: RE: BS: Advice sought--longboating in Ireland From: MartinRyan Refresh |
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24 Mar 11 - 12:42 PM (#3120502) Subject: RE: BS: Advice sought--longboating in Ireland From: Backwoodsman Amos, do you have Scandinavian ancestors? :-) A Longboat is what the Vikings used when they went out a-rapin' and a-pillagin'. What you're planning to spend your holiday on is a Narrowboat, a whole different thing! :-) |
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25 Mar 11 - 12:25 PM (#3121370) Subject: RE: BS: Advice sought--longboating in Ireland From: Geoff the Duck I suggest we wait until after we have heard the Travel Journal for the trip before we start correcting Amos's naming of the boat. ;-) Quack! Geoff the Duck. (We know about wet things...) |
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25 Mar 11 - 05:14 PM (#3121540) Subject: RE: BS: Advice sought--longboating in Ireland From: PoppaGator Amos, as you may or may not realize, the international airport at Shannon (near Limerick) is just about as large and busy and accessible to flights from the states as is Dublin. Also, you could fly into one of the two airports, travel across Ireland, and begin your trip home at the other. That's how we managed our one and only transatlantic trip a few years back. |
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25 Mar 11 - 08:19 PM (#3121660) Subject: RE: BS: Advice sought--longboating in Ireland From: MartinRyan I think the main hire companies do routine pickups from both airports, if necessary. Regards |
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26 Mar 11 - 09:20 AM (#3121931) Subject: RE: BS: Advice sought--longboating in Ireland From: Allan C. Perhaps you could begin in Dublin and take a tour bus one way to the Shannon area and then do a boat tour. Two years ago Carmen and I stayed at a room in O'Donohues Pub while in Dublin. It is just a half block off St. Stephens Green. The room, although somewhat small, was adequate and well priced. We chose O'Donohues because of its nightly music and proximity to the Green (which is also adjacent to the pedestrian walkway that leads through the shopping district. Tour buses can be boarded at the Green. There is also a nice pub on the next corner away from the Green from O'Donohues where live music can be found. (Upstairs is a rather nice restaurant also.) Many famous sites are within easy walking distance. The only down side I found was that the famous Temple Bar was a very long walk away. If you PM me I would be pleased to share some other info and perhaps offer some photos. |
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26 Mar 11 - 02:58 PM (#3122140) Subject: RE: BS: Advice sought--longboating in Ireland From: GUEST,Paul Burke There's no reason to use a narrowboat in Ireland, as the canals are all broad. Unless there's a huge difference in cost, get a cruiser or a penichette. Narrow boats are not native to Ireland and they can get very cramped, especially on the off chance it rains. |
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26 Mar 11 - 03:04 PM (#3122143) Subject: RE: BS: Advice sought--longboating in Ireland From: MartinRyan Rain? In Ireland? Never....! Regards p.s. What's a penichette, please? |
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26 Mar 11 - 03:45 PM (#3122172) Subject: RE: BS: Advice sought--longboating in Ireland From: GUEST,Paul Burke Une p'tite peniche bien entendu. canal boat French- style. |
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26 Mar 11 - 07:50 PM (#3122318) Subject: RE: BS: Advice sought--longboating in Ireland From: MartinRyan Thank you. Narrowboats are occasionally seen in Ireland (particularly on the Barrow) but the main barges seen are conversions from old cargo barges. There were a couple of rather luxurious jobs operating as hotel-barges in my days - not sure if they still exist. Most are privately owned. Regards |