Things To Do

Attractions in the area

Lough Derg is simply beautiful. The lake, located between the counties of Clare, Tipperary and Galway, has lots of activities as well as abundant heritage and culture to explore. The welcome to visitors is genuine and warm and you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to food.

Up the road is Terryglass which was voted Ireland’s Best Kept Village in 2016.
On the water activities include SUP (Stand Up Paddling), swimming, sailing, cruising, canoeing and fishing while on dry land we have some of the best walking routes in Ireland. From the linear routes of the Lough Derg Way & East Clare Way to the looped walks dotted around the Lakelands Lough Derg, you can enjoy amazing scenery and sample delicious local food en route.

Land Activities

From walking, cycling, golf to horse riding, there is plenty to keep you going.

Walking is one of the best ways to fully appreciate the beauty of the Lakelands Lough Derg. There are lots of different walks in the area including waymarked ways, loop walks, linear walks and scenic and historical walks with hundreds of kilometres of marked walks to bring you to scenic and remote countryside. For further information, check out http://www.discoverloughderg.ie/category/walking-hiking/

Cycling – spend a day exploring the Portumna Forest Park and another day exploring the scenery along the lake. Ask us about great routes for different abilities and challenges!

Golf – if golf is your thing, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the number of quality golf courses close by including: Nenagh Golf Club, Portumna Golf Club, and Birr Golf Course. For information on each of these, check out http://www.discoverloughderg.ie/category/golf/

Water Activities

With Lough Derg shoreline on our doorstep, you’ll have a range of water activities to tempt you in and onto the water ranging from cruising to canoeing on Lough Derg. Try renting a sailing boat or cruiser or leave it to the professionals and sit back and enjoy the ride. For details of all of these activities and how to book, please visit http://www.discoverloughderg.ie/category/on-the-water/

Fun for the family

We have loads to keep all the family members entertained. With all the water and land activities, attractions and parks to be discovered, you’ll never be bored. For the small ones, there are lots of playgrounds around the areas; Killaloe, Mountshannon, Scarriff, Ballina, Dromineer, Terryglass, Garrykennedy & Portumna.

Our top picks for families in the area are;

• Exploring the Lough Derg Blueway (by canoe, paddleboard, under sail, by bike or by foot).
• Taking a kayak or a canoe lesson.
• Renting a sailing boat.
• Going fishing.
• Exploring the local castles like Nenagh Castle and Portumna Castle.
• Cruising along the lake with Killaloe River cruises.

For more ideas, explore http://www.discoverloughderg.ie/category/family-days-out-top-ten/

Food & Drink

You can stroll down the Beautiful picturesque village of Ballinderry and visit De Roistes Bar and Smokehouse.There you can sample some of their wonderful barbecued food and their craft beers select.While it’s a rural area, the food produce is out of this world. We have an excellent selection of bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants serving gorgeous local food and craft beers all around us. Just ask for our recommendations and we’d be happy to tell you where’s the best coffee, the best pint and the best takeaway. You can pop up to the friendly village of Terryglass which has two great pubs and restaurants, and a shop for essential amenities. If you want to go further afield, visit the busy town of Portumna (less than six miles away).

Suggested itinerary for those staying a week with us

If you’re lucky enough to be able to spend a week in this beautiful corner of Ireland, here’s a suggested itinerary (but talk to us about your interests and we can come up with lots of different ideas);

Day 1 – Stroll up to Terryglass and call into one of the gastropubs for lunch and then drive to Portumna. Stop on to visit Lorrha (St Ruadhan’s Church, the Dominican priory site and the Augustinian Abbey). In Portumna, visit Portumna Castle and Gardens, Portumna Harbour, Portumna Forest Park and the Irish Workhouse Centre.

Day 2 – Visit Killaloe. Explore the beautiful twin towns and get onto the lake by taking a relaxing lake cruise on the Spirit of Killaloe near the bridge or try Stand Up Paddling at the canal.

Day 3 – Drive to Birr to see Birr castle and its beautiful gardens (including its stunning treehouse), continue to Clonmacnoise or go walking in the Slieve Bloom Mountains.

Day 4 – Have a relaxing day in the area – cycle or walk to a beautiful picnic spot and work up a thirst for a night in the local pub (both pubs in the village have traditional music nights).

Day 5 – Head for the Cliffs of Moher and Doolin in West Clare. Go surfing or walk along the beach in Kilkee or Lahinch.

Day 6 – Follow the Lough Derg drive to Mountshannon and get on a boat to visit Holy Island.

Day 7 –  Relax and follow the meandering lanes by bicycle to find new spots to go swimming.

Suggested itinerary for those staying 3 nights with us

Day 1 – Rent bicycles from Dicks Bike Hire in Ballinderry and cycle to Kilgarvan Quay.When there you can go Kayaking with Becky and Lough Derg Water Sports . Afterwards you can explore other areas like Cominchas Wood for a walk or just enjoy the beautiful forest.There is also a lovely 5km Ballinderry Loop Walk where you can see the “Mouse House Bridge”.This beautiful bridge was constructed in the 1770’s and deemed one of the oldest toll bridges in Europe.Relax that evening at De Roistes bar in Village with some well earned refreshments .

Day 2 – Spend a day on dry land and visit Portumna. Portumna Forest Park has 4 trails to choose from which include the Rinmaher Walking Trail, the Woodland Walking Trail, the Forest Friendly Walking Trail, and the Bonaveen Walking Trail. The 4 looped trails in the park range from a multi-access trail suitable for all visitors of approx 1km in length, to a long multi-use trail of over 10kms for walkers and cyclists. Pack a picnic and spend the day in this majestic forest park which covers 450 hectares.

Day 3 – Drive down the lake. Visit Killaloe. Explore the beautiful village and take a relaxing lake cruise on the Spirit of Killaloe near the bridge or try Stand Up Paddling at the canal. Head to Nenagh and visit Nenagh Castle and grab lunch at one of the many beautiful cafes in the town. Spend your last night in Terryglass village by dropping in for a bite to eat and a traditional music session.