Weekend Break: Boating bliss on the River Shannon

Susan O’Shea went in search of the happy time she spent on the Shannon as a 13-year-old and found her halcyon memories were not misplaced. As a 13-year-old, I managed to tag along when a neighbouring family went cruising on the Shannon and to this day I have great memories of the trip, back-flipping off the back of the boat, getting burned to a crisp sunbathing on deck (this was the 80s, it was baby oil all the way), and that wind-in-the-hair sense of freedom that comes from a leisurely cruise on Ireland’s largest waterway.

To celebrate hitting the big 40, the hubby and four of his friends did likewise a number of years ago, soaking up the sights (ie the local pubs) along the way, and they had an equally great time. So, eager to do something a bit different for a recent weekend break with our clan (aged 8 and 11) we booked a 6-berth cruiser for three nights.