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

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
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Portumna A wonderful playground with the ultimate climbing frame can be found near the Castle, directly behind the castle from the mooring.

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

Tooman Angling & Leisure Ltd,
Bridge St, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim.
Tel. (0)7196 21872
Ray Duithie,
Old Forge Banagher,
Angling Advisor,
Bait Stockist and Accommodation
Tel: 0509 51504
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

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

Training Courses

Skellig Marine Lloyd Kelly

(087)1005900

skelligmarine.ie

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,