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| SHANNON REGION - Banagher - Shannonbridge |
Shannon Menu
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Situated in the county of Offaly, Banagher , which means
'Ford of the Rocks', attracts thousands of visitors each year
for some great fishing. Located on the Shannon crossing, the
town was originally a small port in the 18th century, and is
now a major centre for Boating activities as well as Fishing
and Watersports.
The recently built marina offers superb facilities for all who
stay here and the town itself is well noted for the quality
of the local restaurants and inns. The Banagher Coarse Angling
Festival and the Portumna Classic match competitions are held
every year at a number of venues in the area, usually in April/May
and again in September/October. Pleasure anglers should be aware
of the dates of these angling events, which may conflict with
your plans when selecting suitable fishing venues for your trip
in the area. As far as entertainment goes, Banagher has a wonderful
array of both restaurants and pubs and lively music sessions
which can last into the small hours especially during the long
summer evenings. A great place to stop off for an evening meal
or to meet a few locals.
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small village of Shannon Harbour was developed after
1800 as the terminus of the Grand Canal through the Irish midlands.
Now a somewhat sleepy village with its old canal hotel in ruins,
it has received a new lease of life from the growth of pleasure
traffic in the canal since the 1970's.
Portumna is a large town at the northern head of Lough
Derg and is also a popular starting point for the Lough
Derg Drive. Portumna Forest Park offers 1400 acres of nature
trails and forest walks, flora and fauna including red deer
and is well worth a visit. The recently restored Portumna Castle,
dating from 1618, lies just outside the town. The castle is
one of the finest 17th century manor houses constructed in Ireland,
with rows of stone mullioned windows and dutch style decorative
gables. The formal gardens are geometric in style and are beautiful
during the summer. The village of Lorrha is the site of a 6th
century monastic settlement and it is a short drive from Portumna,
with beautiful scenery and Norman ruins along the way.
Birr was laid out during the Georgian period and still
retains many of its original features such as its wide tree
lined walls, pleasant gardens, period houses and Georgian character.
The town itself reflects the peace and contentment of its surrounding
countryside. One of the jewels in the town’s crown is surely
the magnificent Birr Castle Demesne. The grounds extend to over
100 acres of formal layouts, river walks, terraces and parkland.
The world’s tallest box hedges are to be seen on the grounds
along with many hundreds of species of trees, plants and flowers.
Recently restored and now open to the public are the Millennium
Gardens of Birr Castle as well as the famous telescope located
in the grounds of the castle and in perfect working order.
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| Accommodations |
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Dooly's Hotel, Birr,
Co. Offaly.
Doolys hotel located in the centre of Birr towns beautiful
Georgian square is within easy reach of Clonmacnoise ,
golf, fishing & horse riding in the heart of the Midlands.
Enjoy a relaxing break, activity holiday or business trip.
EMail dooleyshotel@esatclear.ie
or call 0509 20032 |
Brosna Lodge, Banagher,
Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 51350 Hotel
Shannon Oaks Hotel, Portumna,
Co. Galway. Tel. 0509 41777 Hotel
The Shannon Hotel, Banagher,
Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 51306 Hotel
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| Restaurants |
An Bialann, Portumna, Co. Galway. Tel. 0509 41929
Peters Coffee Shop, Portumna, Co. Galway. Tel. 0509 41302 Coffee Shop
Riverbank Restaurant, Riverstown,, Birr, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 21528
The Ferry Inn, Portumna, Co. Galway. Tel. 0509 47139
The Vinehouse, Banagher, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 51312
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| Pubs |
Hiney's of Ferbane , Main St., Ferbane, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0902 54344
J.J. Hough's Pub, Main St., Banagher, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 51893
Killeen's Village Tavern, Shannonbridge , Co. Offaly. Tel. 0905 74112
S. Lyons Bar, Main St., Banagher, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 51414
Sean Henrys, Portumna, Co. Galway. Tel. 0509 41559
The Ferry Inn, Portumna, Co. Galway. Tel. 0509 47139
Vine House Bar, West End,, Banagher, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 51463
Horans Corner House, Portumna,
Co. Galway. Tel. 0509 41007
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| Visitor Attractions |
Ashbrook Visitor Farm, Shannonbridge, Co. Clare. Tel. 0905 74166 Pet Farm
Birr Castle Demesne, Birr, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 20336 Castle
Cloghan Castle, Banagher, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 51650 Castle
Clonmacnoise & West Offaly Railway, Shannonbridge, Co. Clare. Tel. 0905 74114
Horse-drawn Trips, Portumna, Co. Galway. Tel. 0509 41123
Lorrha Dominican Priory, Lorrha, Portumna, Co. Galway.
Lusmagh Pet farm, Banagher, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 51233 Pet Farm
Portumna Castle & Gardens, Portumna, Co. Galway. Tel. 0509 41658 Castle
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| Golf |
18 hole & Pitch & Putt, Banagher, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 51458
18 hole gc, Portumna, Co. Galway. Tel. 0509 41059
9 hole p&p, Portumna, Co. Galway. Tel. 0509 41123
Birr Golf Club, The Glenns,, Birr, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 20082
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| Fishing |
The Old Forge, Banagher, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 51504 Tackle & Supplies
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| Cycling |
Bicycle Hire, Shannonbridge, Co. Clare. Tel. 0905 74189
Bicycle Hire, Portumna, Co. Galway. Tel. 0509 47134
E.& M. McManus Bike Rental, Laurel Lodge Garrymore,, Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0905 74189
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| Equestrian |
Banagher Equestrian Centre, Meenaun, Banagher, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 51988
Birr Equestrian Centre, Fortal,, Birr, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 21961
Five Roads Equestrian, Meenwaun,, Banagher, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 51988
Pony Trekking, Portumna, Co. Galway. Tel. 0509 41132
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| Sport & Leisure |
Shannon Adventure Canoeing, Banagher, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 51411 Watersports
Tennis/Pool/Squash, Banagher, Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 51458
Shuffleboard (indoor), Portumna,
Co. Galway. Tel. 0509 41123 Watersports
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| Gifts & Crafts |
Maltings Craft Centre, Shannonbridge,
Co. Offaly. Tel. 0509 22242
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Ireland