Restaurants and Food
Town | Restaurant | Contact | Comments |
Belturbet | Erne Bistro, The Lawn, Belturbet | 049 9522443 | “Absolutely excellent.” |
Belturbet | The Seven Horse Shoes Hotel www.sevenhorseshoes.com |
049 952 2166 | |
Ballinamallard | Encore Steak House 66 Main St., Ballinamallard |
028 6638 8606 | Book Fri, Sat, Sun. Mighty steaks, keen prices, big quantities, nothing nouvelle about this place! ££ |
Irvinestown | The Hunting Lodge, Derrynanny Irvinestown | 028 6862 1863 | Superb for Sunday lunch but book three to four weeks in advance. ££ |
Killadeas | Manor House Hotel www.manor-house-hotel.com |
028 6862 2211 | Brilliant at night. ££££ |
Bellanaleck | The Moorings | 028 6634 8328 | “Excellent food at very reasonable prices” IL, 02/04 |
Bellanaleck | The Sheelin | 028 6634 8232 | |
Carrybridge | Carrybridge Hotel 171 Innishmore Rd Lisbellaw Fermanagh |
028 66387148 | “Can use dining room or eat in bar. Average meal £10.” IL, 02/04 |
Enniskillen | Oscars, 29 Belmore Street, | 028 6632 7037 | Smallish theme restaurant in Belmore Street. Great garlicky menu. £££ |
Enniskillen | Blakes of the Hollow – 6 Church Street | 028 6632 2143 | |
Enniskillen | Francos, Queen Elizabeth Road | 028 6632 4183 | Italian. Need to book at weekends. ££££ |
Enniskillen | The Linen Hall, 13 Townhall Street | 028 66324055 | Part of the Wetherspoons chain, which mimics English pubs, although owned by an Ulsterman, is good for a meal and a beer. £ |
Enniskillen | The Crows Nest (aka Jim’s Inn) 12 High St. |
028 6632 5252 | In the High Street, Enniskillen. Atmospheric, cooking traditional, solid. ££ |
Lusty Beg Island, Boa Island | Lusty Beg Island Restaurant | 028 6863 2032 |
Town | Restaurant | Contact | Comments |
Garadice Lake (nr Ballinamore) |
Swan Island Animal Farm & Restaurant with its own moorings on L Garadice website |
049 4333065 | “The food was excellent and reasonably priced. It’s a small family run restaurant. It is also excellent for children as the owners have created a small petting type zoo around the restaurant (donkeys, goats, rabbits, various birds etc).” |
Keshcarrigan | Anthias on the Carrick side of the village | 071 9642555 | ”The owners are Ricky & Maureen, both chefs. Menu is modern Irish/European with an Asian touch. Sunday lunch, Mondays closed, evenings Tuesday to Saturday from 18.30. Consistently good and well worth a visit either by water or by land.” |
Keshcarrigan | Canal View Restaurant | 071 9642404 | “Good home cooking at reasonable prices.” |
Ballyconnel | The Angler’s Rest www.anglersrest.ie |
071 9642404 | “superb steaks and excellent for Sunday lunch.” 04/2009 |
Town | Restaurant | Contact | Comments |
Drumshanbo | McGready’s Convent Avenue, Drumshanbo |
071 964 1125 | “Excellent meal, excellent value” RH 08/04 |
Drumshanbo | Allendale restaurant | 071 9641125 | |
Leitrim Village | The Leitrim marina Hotel, www.leitrimmarinahotel.com |
071 9623644 | |
Leitrim Village | The Barge, | 071 9620807 | “Solid and reliable – good food in nice surroundings”, M.S. (08/03) |
Knockvicar | Donnellans pub & restaurant at Cleen near Knockvicar, | 071 9667016 | (They will deliver to a boat) |
Carrick-on-Shannon | Victoria Hall, Quay Road, Carrick-on-Shannon, www.victoriahall.ie FINE EURASIAN CUISINE Restaurant, Wine Bar and Gallery. |
071 96 20320, 087 2575513 |
“Superb Thai-style food – best Thai green curry I’ve had in years – busy kitchen visible to the diners with beautiful aromas hitting you every few minutes – ’twas a pleasure to watch the cooks enjoying their work. Not cheap, but worth it – we’ll be back.” MS 02/04 €€€ . |
Carrick-on-Shannon | Puccinis, | 071 9620333 | “Excellent Italian fare” |
Carrick-on-Shannon | Shamrat Indian Restaurant upstairs over Beirnes Butchers Shop | 071 9650934 | “Excellent Indian – great hazaree chicken – takeout also”, MS |
Carrick-on-Shannon | Ken’s Oriental Restaurant beside Glancy’s Waterfront Bar on the Roscommon side |
071 9621500 | |
Carrick-on-Shannon | The Oarsman Bar & Restaurant, Bridge Street |
071 9621733 | “Very high standard of food, great selection, menu changes every 3-4 months, prices reflect standard of food and service. It is essential to book a table prior to arrival.” MH, 02/04 |
Carrick-on-Shannon | Wheats in the Market Yard | 071 9650525 | |
Carrick-on-Shannon | Bush Hotel | 071 9620014 | |
Carrick-on-Shannon | Landmark Hotel | 071 9622222 | |
Carrick-on-Shannon | Cryans Bar & Restaurant | 071 9620409 | “Our party consisting of 4 adults and 5 children had pints, 1/2 pints, soup and sandwiches all for less than €40.00 and excellent service into the bargain. Very children friendly. … CRYANS get my full marks for Sunday”, KJH 07/2003 |
Carrick-on-Shannon | Damian Coffeys Pastry Case | 071 9620929 | |
Carrick-on-Shannon | Chungs Chinese Restaurant | 071 9621888 | |
Castlebaldwin (near Boyle) |
Cromlech Lodge, Castlebaldwin, Near Boyle, County Sligo – https://www.cromleach.com/ |
071 65155 | “Excellent classy food”, €€€€ |
Jamestown | The Cottage Restaurant, Jamestown |
071 962 5933 | “Overlooking the weir” |
Dromod | Harkins Bistro, Dromod Harbour, Dromod www.harkinsbistro.com |
071 9658718 | |
Rooskey | The Shannon Key West Hotel www.shannonkeywest.com |
071 963 8800 | Beside the bridge in Rooskey. |
Town | Restaurant | Contact | Comments |
Tarmonbarry | Keenan’s | 043 26052/26098 | “This is one to visit when moored above or below the lock. A pub and restaurant with a buzzing atmosphere. Good food “ |
Tarmonbarry | The Purple Onion www.purpleonion.ie |
043 59919 | “Superb food.” |
Lecarrow | The Yew Tree | 090 6661255 | Traditional food with a modern twist, the emphasis being on good quality, locally sourced food. |
Glasson | The Wineport | 0902 85466 | “Delightful lakeside restaurant with its own jetty. A great welcome and excellent food. A real treat.”, €€€€ |
Glasson | Glasson Village Restaurant | 0902 85001 | |
Glasson | Grogan’s Pub | 090 6485158 | “Good meals” |
Hodson Bay | Hodson Bay Hotel | 0902 92444 | |
Athlione | Le Chateau, St. Peters Port, Athlone | 0902 94517 | |
Athlone | Hatters, Custume Place, Athlone | 0902 73077 | “They sent me a menu which seems interesting. Plenty of pasta, some seafood, various grills. Wouldn’t mind trying some of those desserts either.” €€€ |
Athlone | The Olive Grove, Custume Place, Athlone. | 0902 76946 | |
Athlone | Kin Khao Thai Abbey Lane, Athlone |
09064 98805 | Top Class Thai Cuisine |
Athlone | Top Deck Bistro Church Street, Athlone (upstairs next door to the Genoa Café) |
09064 73263 | Nautical themed restaurant. Very wide menu. Great seafood, steaks, pasta & fajita’s |
Athlone | The Left Bank Bistro, Fry Place, Athlone |
0902 94446 | “Excellent and tasty – even the children’s meal was beautifully presented – and it’s just 50yds from the boat if you moor between the lock and the bridge.” M.S. (08/03), €€ |
Athlone | Pavarotti’s, Fry Place, Athlone |
“Superb Pizzas, great atmosphere, M.S. (08/03) | |
Shannonbridge | The Old Fort www.theoldfortrestaurant.com |
090 9674973 | “I would recommend it to fellow boaters (and non-boaters). A few of us had a good meal here at the weekend. It’s right on the west side of the bridge in a fantastic old Napoleonic era fort.” |
Shannonbridge | Killeen’s Village Tavern | 090 9674112 | |
Banagher | The Vine House | 0509 51463 | |
Banagher | Heidi’s Coffee Shop, Crank House, Banagher, Co Offaly. |
0509 52155 | “… under EUR15 for the steak with mountains of chips, mushrooms, onions, sauce. Even son’s appetite for steak and chips was defeated. Excellent value”, BG (06/03). |
Banagher | Royal Shannon Hotel, West End, Banagher www.royalshannonhotel.ie |
0509 51101/51306 | Only a few yards from the harbour. |
Ballinasloe | Kariba’s Restaurant & Coffee House, 7 Society Street, Ballinasloe, Co.Galway. Prop. John Ward |
0905 44830 | “Great food, pleasant staff, well worth the few minutes walk from the Harbour” C.B. |
Town | Restaurant | Contact | Comments |
Ballyshrule | Clonmoylan Holiday Homes and Restaurant | 087 7974079 | |
Portumna, Co. Galway |
An Bialann, Portumna | 0509 41929 | |
Portumna | Dalton’s | 090 9741929 | “Wide ranging offer from all day breakfast to full evening menu; good value!” |
w | W | 067 22147 | “Solid and reliable – good food and nice atmosphere” MS (08/03) |
Terryglass, Co. Tipperary |
The Derg Inn | 067 22037 | “Excellent food (we ate there three times in a week as it was so good!). Need to book at weekends.” DH (08/03) €€ |
Mountshannon, Co. Clare | Noel’s | 061 927 482 | Very friendly, good atmosphere, great food. Need to book at weekends €€€ |
Mountshannon, Co. Clare | An Cupán Caifé | 061 927275 | |
Dromineer | Whiskey Still, Dromineer, Nr. Nenagh. | 067 24129 | “A bustling, welcoming pub with a small restaurant and good food.”€€ |
Dromineer | The Crows Nest, Dromineer Bay Hotel, Dromineer, Nr. Nenagh | 067 24114 | This is the pub attached to the hotel. Generally good food. Nice atmosphere, friendly staff. €€ |
Garrykennedy | Larkins | 067 23232 | Always reliable and very well run. |
Scariff | MacRuaidhri’s Restaurant www.macruaidhris.com |
061 921999 | |
Killaloe/Ballina | The Cherry Tree, Killaloe/Ballina (it’s on the Ballina side) | 061 375688 | “Expensive, wonderful very classy food, home made chocolates, great service. I loved it.” €€€€ |
Killaloe | Gooser’s Bar & Eating House | 061 376791 | “Good bar food” |
Kilgarvan, Ballinderry | Brocka-on-the-water, Kilgarvan Quay Ballinderry Co Tipperary see website, |
067 22038 | “We have had a few excellent meals there over the years. A bit expensive but happy to pay the price.” |
Town | Restaurant | Contact | Comments |
Moyvalley | Furey’s Pub | 0405 51185 | “Some of the finest food in Ireland can be had in this unique pub. It rolls back the years steeped in history and is well worth a visit.”(DW 10/03) |
Note: Locations on the Barrow-Line of the Grand Canal are listed below under “River Barrow”: | |||
Town | Restaurant | Contact | Comments |
Tullamore | The Tea Room @ the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre Bury Quay, Tullamore |
086-7373817 | |
Tullamore | Windmill Restaurant At The Tullamore Court Hotel | 0506 46666 | |
Tullamore | The Bridge House | 0506 21704 | |
Daingean | |||
Edenderry | |||
Rathangan |
Town | Restaurant | Contact | Comments | |
Athy, Co Kildare | Lotus Jasmine, 6 Stanhope St, . | 059 8634901 | “Excellent food, excellent service. Very friendly. Very good house wines.” €€ | |
Athy, Co Kildare | J-1 | Breakfast, snacks, main courses, pink lemonade and an unusual range of fillings for baguettes, paninis and sandwitches. € | ||
Leighlinbridge | Lord Bagenal Inn, www.lordbagenal.com |
059 9721668 | “A compulsory stop when cruising the Barrow – has its own marina”, MS | |
Graiguenamanagh | Café Duisce | 0503 24988 / 24986 | ||
Graiguenamanagh | Waterside Guesthouse & restaurant, The Quay www.watersideguesthouse.com |
0503 24246 | ||
New Ross | www.rivercruises.ie | (0)51 421723 |
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Children’s Activities
Rent-a-Bike, Ballinamore, |
+353 (0)71 96 44091 |
Pet Farm, Ballinamore | Swan Island Open Farm (on Garadice Lough, southern shore) Mr Pat Bradley, Corrawallen, Ballinamore, Leitrim. www.swanisland.ie +353 (0)49 4333065 |
Lough Allen | Lough Allen Outdoor Pursuits Centre – Canoeing, windsurfing, hill walking, equestrian etc. +353 (0)71 96 43292 |
Battlebridge, Co. Roscommon (at start of Lough Allen canal) | Swings and Slide at Berne’s of Battlebridge +353 (0)71 96 50824 Mooring on site www.beirnesofbattlebridge.com |
Acres Lake Amenity Area, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim | Swimming Pool, slides, swings, tennis, etc. Mooring on site +353(0)71 96 20005 |
Horse Riding, Drumshanbo | Moorlands Equestrian & Leisure, Curraghill,, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim. Tel. +353 (0)71 96 41500 |
Bicycle Hire, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim | Morans Bicycle Hire, Convent Avenue, Drumshanbo, Tel. +353 (0)71 96 41139 |
Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. | 350 hectares of woodland, parkland etc. Playground with all the usual accouterments! Snacks/ice cream available in summer. +353 (0)79 62363 Mooring on site |
Cavan & Leitrim Railway, Dromod, | Open all year – Steam trains run at the weekends. Located 300m from Dromod Harbour – +353 (0)71 96 38599 www.irish-railway.com |
Horse Riding, Leitrim | Doherty’s Trekking Centre, Leitrim village, Tel. +353 (0)71 96 20853 |
Horse Riding, Carrick on Shannon | Lisnagat Riding Centre, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. Tel. +353 (0)71 96 20598 |
Horse Riding, Drumshanbo | Morelands Equestrian Centre, Drumshanbo, Leitrim, Co. Leitrim. Tel. +353 (0)71 96 41792 |
Swimming, Carrick on Shannon | Carrick-on-Shannon Swimming Pool, , Co. Leitrim. Tel. +353 (0)71 96 21400 – |
Horse Riding, Roosky | Hayden Equestrian Centre, Bornacoola, Co. Leitrim. Tel. +353 (0)71 96 38049 (located ~3 miles from Roosky) |
Coosan Point playground | Bancon jetties with space for up to 6 boats alongside – it is safe to moor on the inside, nearest the wall. There is a children’s playground, swings, slide etc. Of course, the Lough Ree Inn at Coosan is a welcome port of call too. |
Clonmacnoise & West Offaly Railway | Clonmacnoise and West Offaly Railway, Blackwater Works, Shannonbridge, Athlone, Co. Westmeath +353 (0)90 96 74450 www.bnm.ie/group/peat/clonmacnoise.htm |
Portumna | A wonderful playground with the ultimate climbing frame can be found near the Castle, directly behind the castle from the mooring. |
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Fishing and Angling
Central Fisheries Board | www.cfb.ie |
Shannon Fishery Board | www.shannon-fishery-board.ie |
Fishing on Dublin’s Canals | article |
Irish Federation of Pike Angling clubs | www.angling-in-ireland.com |
Rivers of Ireland | www.riversofireland.com |
National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland | www.ncffi.ie |
Infowing Ireland | www.infowing.ie |
Fish Ireland | www.fishireland.com |
Go Fishing Ireland | www.gofishingireland.com |
Lough Allen Info | www.allen.ie |
Pike Ireland | www.pike-ireland.com |
www.cfb.ie/fishing_in_ireland/tackleshops
Well, why bother with our own list, the Central Fisheries Board claims to have the definitive list of all fishing tackle suppliers |
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Tooman Angling & Leisure Ltd, Bridge St, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. Tel. (0)7196 21872 |
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Ray Duithie, Old Forge Banagher, Angling Advisor, Bait Stockist and Accommodation Tel: 0509 51504 |
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Home Field and Stream – 18 Church Street – Enniskillen – N. Ireland Phone (UK) 028 66322114 – (RoI) 048 66322114 – (Int) +44 28 66322114 |
www.homefieldandstream.com | |
Carlow Coarse Angling Supplies 8 St. Fiacc’s Terrace, Graiguecullen, Carlow, Co. Carlow. 05991 37664 or 087 2257452 |
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Nature
Seaweed | www.seaweed.ie | Not strictly inland waterways, but here’s more than you could ever need to know about seaweed. |
Friends of the Irish Environment | www.friendsoftheirishenvironment.org |
Bats on Irish Waterways | Bats and Irish Waterways, Dr Niamh Roche – article fromIWN Autumn 2001 |
Irish Wildlife Trust | www.iwt.ie | |
Birdwatch Ireland | www.birdwatchireland.ie | |
Dragonfly Ireland | www.habitas.org.uk/dragonflyireland | Get your dragonfly identification guide which makes for a good activity for kids of all ages (3 to 103) while cruising the rivers and canals. |
Batty Holidays | https://homepage.eircom.net/~battyholidays1 | yes – all about bats, common on our waterways. |
Mystery Animals of Ireland | www.mysteryanimalsofireland.com |
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Training Courses
Skellig Marine | Lloyd Kelly
(087)1005900 |
experienced Marine engineer recently returned to Ireland having lived and worked around the world on boats, I am recently qualified as RYA Diesel Engine Instructor and interested to provide courses in many technical aspects to marine craft users.
If IWAI or its members would be interested please let me know, |
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