Lough Derg Cruise for the weekend

claw14

Hi Folks,
Just looking for some advice. I and the family (OH, 2yo and 4yo) are going on Lough Derg for a cruise for the weekend. Pick up the boat 2pm on a Friday and will be returning it on Sunday evening (Portumna). Just looking for some tips on where to moor and what to do. I know it's a short time but it's a first cruise and I'd like to make it as much fun for the kids as possible.
Really looking for towns with playgrounds, forest walks, nice kid friendly pubs/restaurants, etc.
Any advice would be great.
Tks

Tabnabs

http://derg.iwai.ie/harbours.htm

My advice would be Portumna Harbour the first night, Terryglass on Saturday night if the weather isn't great, or Garrykennedy if it is. This isn't peak season boating weather. Bring clothing suitable for an Irish autumn and you'll have a great time.

olaola

Yes, defo Terryglass. There are loads of other nice spots too - Dromineer, Mountshannon and Portumna Castle is also a lovely spot to stop and have a BBQ.

claw14

Thanks for the replies. Had a ball.
First night in Terryglass. Lovely village.
Headed to Mountshannon for lunch on Saturday and back to Garykennedy for the night.
Back to Portumna on Sunday.

Great way to spend a weekend.

magentas

that sounds lovely!

Is it expensive?

I've heard of people doing this...I'd be interested in trying something like that myself.

Don't mean to hijack your thread claw but do you need any boating experience or anything to do it?

sounds cool

claw14

You don't need any experience at all. When we arrived a guy there came on board and explained everything. He then brought us out on the lake for approx 1/2 hour to show us how to drive and then off we went. It is really very easy and the boats crawl along at a handy pace. The hardest part of the whole lot is the parking/mooring and even that is easy. There is always someone at the pier to help.
I would defiantly recommend it to anyone and I know I'll be doing it again next year.
Costs:-
To be honest we got ours as a gift but a quick look on their website shows a "caprice" (Sleeps 6) for €500 for Friday - Monday but there are cheaper options. You pay €110 for insurance and whatever diesel you use.
I guess it's not cheap but well worth it.

Hope this helps...

magentas

it is a bit expensive, I was thinking for just myself and OH but it wouldn't be too bad if there was a few people and split the cost.

What website? I've looked at the link posted above but there's no prices

Thanks a mill for info

claw14

We went with http://www.emeraldstar.ie/
We found them good, but there are many more who do it. Emerald Star have their base in Portumna.