Travel Tuesday Goes On The Water with The Elaine Show

This Travel Tuesday we are going on the water and Ireland has so much to offer on it’s coasts, rivers and waterways.

If you want to enjoy a staycation and especially planning to go on the water be assured of the high level of care taken to sanitize and social distance by sports centers, museums, hotels and restaurants. I know some people may be nervous about travel but there is staycation cover which can be purchased to ease minds. I’ve recently popped up a post on my website about a scheme from Accident and General who offer staycation cover and this might act as a catalyst to lure those who have already lost money on a foreign holiday this year and it covers a wide range of other losses such as bicycle cover, breakdown, accidents and hospitalisation. Also if you are doing adventure sports on or off the water then staycation cover will protect you also. See my post about https://www.staycationcover.ie/

Lough Erne County Fermanagh

This was my first time taking a cruiser and we rented a boat from Carrickcraft which has bases in Carrick-on-Shannon, Banagher and Bellanaleck. Our boat, The Kilkenny, was a six berth but had two double cabins and was very comfortable for four.

 

Click here to be taken to their website carrickcraft

Before arriving at the marina to pick up your boat spend some time watching the on-line tutorials which explain about navigation, helming and safety.

The cost for the Kilkenny Class (4-6 berth) is £900 for the three nights but if you staying longer, example 7 nights you would get a much better deal with a cost of around £1379. This is of course high/peak season prices for July and going off peak or later in the year would be much cheaper.

There’s lots to see and do on beautiful Lough Erne and for our first night we docked at Enniskillen.

Lough Erne is rich with things to do for all the family and a brand new fun activity in Castle Archdale Forest Parks is hydro biking. We gave it a go and I have to say it was much easier than I thought it was going to be – great craic with the kids too. https://www.castlearchdaleboathire.com/

Castle Archdale Boat Hire & Water Sports is located at Castle Archdale Marina, which nestles in the heart of Fermanagh’s tourist area and within the grounds of the ever popular Castle Archdale Country Park. They offer a wide range of activities to suit all the family including boat hire, NEW Hydrobikes, kayak hire, water trampolining, cycle hire, White Island ferry and many other activities. Their services and facilities are designed to ensure that your time spent with us is both exciting and enjoyable. They cater for individuals, families and groups of all ages.

If you like a little tipple then stop off west of the lough at the Boatyard Distillery which was the dream of Joe McGirr who made it into a reality. The Boatyard Distillery is an award winning farm-to-bottle distillery located on the banks of Lough Erne in north west Ireland. Only the best organic ingredients have been chosen for each of their products with the terroir of the land at the forefront of each new spirit. The gin botanical, Sweet Gale, is foraged from the family bog and the wheat used for our vodka can be traced from the bottle back to the very field it came from. https://boatyarddistillery.com/

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Mallow, Cork

Ballyhass Waterpark

Ballyhass water sports in Mallow has something for everybody –

When I arrived I was told they were ready for me and the crew to do wakeboarding – I nearly had a heart attack – and asked for other options

So I opted for some archery and of course my favourite a bit of ziplining. There are a huge range of activities including kayaking and abseiling and it’s great for hens and stags too.

So to prove that  I did do something adventurous here’s me on the zipline.

Wakeboarding €25 – Adults, €15 – u18s

Aquapark €20 – Adults, €15 – u18’s

Full Adventure Day €30

www.ballyhass.ie

 

If you are looking for somewhere to stay in this region drop by The Nano Nagle Heritage Ecology and Spirituality Center.

Sister Eileen showed us around the center and they cater for guests too with three bungalows on the grounds that can accommodate up to seven people in each. It is ideal for  a yoga group or people who would like a conference center attached to perhaps paint or try some other creative endeavour. The gardens and organic farm offer wonderful walks under the gaze of the Nagle Mountains. Nano’s story is one of real altruism, as a young woman from a privileged life she gave up so much to set up the order of the presentation sisters and help the poor in Cork City.

Location: Ballygriffin, Nano Nagle Centre, Co. Cork

for information about renting the on site bungalows contact secretary@nanonaglebirthplace.ie or

tel 022-26411

https://www.nanonaglebirthplace.ie/

 

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Waterford

Blackwater Waterford and Glamping…

Well I did it…Elaine wasn’t sure if I’d get through the night but we had the best fun in Villierstown County Waterford. Blackwater Eco Tours manage the Eco pods and offer lots of watersport on the River – including the tours and kayaking. For more information see.

Blackwater Eco Pods located in the centre of Villierstown in Waterford for €140 (one night), €250 (two nights) or €375 (three nights). Each pod can accommodate four adults or a family of five and are just a 15 mins drive from Dungarvan.  Email info@blackwaterecotours.ie to book*

Location: The Quay, Villierstown, Waterford, Ireland

https://www.blackwaterecotours.ie/eco-pods/

 

Boat tour of River Blackwater Approx 90mins with the charming Eugene who showed us the best of the waterways with stories of the Fitzgerald Clan who conquered  the area and built a castle on the river’s shore. We saw an array of wildlife – ducks and herons and new to the area for the past couple of years are warblers from South Africa which are increasing in numbers. We also heard a peregrine chick crying out for it’s mother and on a good day you may even see deer running along the shore. This trip takes 90 minutes and is a great way to learn about the life on the rive.

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Dublin bay cruises go from Dun Laoighaire to Howth daily and at weekends they offer a trip around Ireland’s Eye. Saturday is a great day to explore Howth because the yacht club holds races and there is always plenty of action around the Harbour.

One of my favorite walks in the world is from my house around Howth Head to the Baily Lighthouse. If you stop by the pier you might just see my son busking and playing the guitar as he’s raising money for the Irish cancer society in memory of his granny who passed away in April this year – here’s a link to his gofundme page https://www.gofundme.com/f/busking-for-the-irish-cancer-society?utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet

DUBLIN BAY CRUISES

**Summer 2020 Weekday Special**

Children travel for just €10 on the below sailings:

9.30am Dun Laoghaire to City

11.00am City to Dun Laoghaire

2.00pm Howth to Dun Laoghaire

3.30pm Dun Laoghaire to Dalkey Island return

 

CRUISE 5 – HOWTH – IRELANDS EYE – HOWTH – RETURN

Take a relaxing hour long cruise on board the St Bridget from the beautiful Howth Harbour. Take in the breathtaking views from this amazing vantage point and see the beautiful bird and seal colony that is Irelands Eye . Look north towards Malahide and Lambay Island and South East towards Howth Head as you take this relaxing cruise. Sure you might even have a coffee or a glass of wine from our on board bar while you sail.TICKET PRICING
1 Seat  €25.00*You do not need to book a seat for children aged 3 and under*Buggies are welcome on board.

https://www.dublinbaycruises.com/

There’s lots to do in Howth with tours and hikes – https://www.shaneshowthadventures.com/en

Get in touch with locals who know the area and offer hikes and electric cycle tours – see website above.