Driving Route: Lough Derg Drive
Starting Point: The trail starts and finishes in the twin towns of Killaloe and Ballina.
Services: Killaloe/Ballina, Mountshannon, Portumna, Terryglass, Nenagh and Portroe.
Time: This driving route makes a comfortable day trip allowing you to visit all the places named.
Lough Derg is the largest and one of the most beautiful of the lakes on the River Shannon. There are many ways of enjoying the beauty of Lough Derg, pictured below. Sailing, cruising or canoeing along its magnificent 40 kms or travelling the roads that hug the shoreline.
The picturesque twin towns of Ballina/Killaloe, sited at the southern tip of the lake provide the perfect starting point. Travelling clockwise around the lake you'll find one of the best viewing spots of the entire drive near the village of Ogonelloe.
A little further north, the pretty village of Mountshannon is one of the busiest cruising and yachting centres on Lough Derg and a great place to stop and eat. Portumna, the town at the head of the lake, is another busy cruising centre with a delightful Forest Park to ramble in and a restored Castle to visit.
Heading south along the eastern shore you come to the charming village of Terryglass. You can continue to hug the shoreline to Domineer, a great centre for fishing and boating, or head to the busy market town of Nenagh.
Travel back to the lakeside through Newtown and drink in the views from Portroe.
Your journey ends back at the southern tip in Ballina/Killaloe where excellent food and drink will complete an idyllic journey.
Lough Derg Drive downloadable Map
Head Office, Shannon Town Centre,
Shannon, Co Clare: t: +353 (0)61 361555 f: +353 (0)61 361903