NEW TO CRUISING?

Check out our FAQ Section for more information.

WHAT WILL I EXPERIENCE? In Ireland and Northern Ireland there is no licence requirement for cruising, therefore anyone 18 years or over can hire a cruiser. The rivers and lakes of the Shannon and Erne are a wonderful area for quiet relaxation. The real enjoyment of the holiday is in gently exploring this unique waterway, watching the wildlife and the endlessly changing river and landscapes. For those who are new to cruising, it is certainly an experience you won't want to miss.
	IS IT RIGHT FOR ME? Although cruising is extremely relaxing, it is essentially an activity holiday, which assumes a small but reasonable level of fitness from at least two crew members. Navigation and routine maintenance are two essential areas where responsibility must be assigned.
HOW WILL I NAVIGATE ? Navigation on the Shannon, Erne and Shannon / Erne Waterway is very simple. Prior to your arrival, you will be given a Captains Handbook containing detailed charts, and navigational instruction and guidelines. You will also receive additional instructions on your arrival at the Marina So long as you learn the simple rules of navigation and follow our charts and maps you will find the rivers and lakes perfectly safe for people who have not experienced a cruising holiday before.
	HOW WILL I CONTROL THE BOAT ? All hirers are required to have a period of classroom instruction during which time information will be given on the routine maintenance, basic navigation and safety procedures. This tuition is provided at set times which will be advised to you on arrival at the Marina. You will also receive a demonstration by an instructor on your own craft. You will have the opportunity to take

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ANGLING

Am I allowed to fish off the boat?
Yes - Ireland is an anglers paradise, being superb for bream, roach, rudd, tench, pike, perch and salmon. Anglers are welcome throughout the whole of Ireland but there are some differences between the North and South as far as regulations, seasons and licences are concerned. Fishing dinghies and outboard motors are also available and can be pre-ordered to ensure availability.

Do I need a licence to fish?
No licence is required for fishing on the Shannon, but a licence is required on the Erne. These are available to buy from our marina at Tully Bay. In Ireland, conservation is necessary to protect the variety of fish in our waters. Local fishery bye-laws are very strict and you must make yourself aware of them before you arrive. We have leaflets on coarse angling and game angling, issued by Shannon Fisheries, available on request.

Is there a close season for fishing?
There is no close season for coarse fishing in either the North or south. The season for game fishing may differ in various areas.

Can I pre-order bait?
Bait can be pre-ordered on request. Contact our reservations office for a bait order form. Taking maggots or casters aboard any cruiser is totally prohibited. They may only be kept in the dinghy.

EXPERIENCE

What if I have never been on a boat before?
Don't worry - you are in good company. Half of our clients have never been on a boat before, but they soon get to grips with the very simple controls.

Is there any instruction given?

You will be given a classroom instruction and an on-board demonstration before being taken out for a run on the boat.

GENERAL

Do I have to pay for fuel?
Yes - you get the boat full of fuel and when you come back at the end of your holiday, we fill the boat again and you pay for the fuel used! Typical fuel bill is €100 to €150 depending on the size of boat.

What are the pick-up and drop-off times?
We have to clean and service every cruiser before it can be put out on hire, therefore cruisers are normally available for pick-up between 4 and 9pm on Saturdays and between 2 and 6pm on Wednesdays. In certain circumstances we may be able to arrange an earlier pick up. You will be required to vacate your cruiser by 9am on the day of departure.

INSURANCE

Is insurance included?
Insurance for accidental damage and public liability is included in your hire cost. However we do ask for a returnable insurance excess of between €600 and €1000 depending on the size of the boat hired. We cannot, however, provide for wilful or negligent misconduct. The insurance cover provided is set out in the Conditions of Hire.

Does the insurance cover personal belongings?
The insurance does not cover you for personal injury or loss or damage to your own property. We recommend that you make your own arrangements for these before you travel. We can offer Personal Travel Insurance for clients resident in the UK.

INVENTORY

Are towels and bed linen provided?
Bed linen is provided and includes pillows, duvets, blankets and sheets. Hand towels and tea towels are provided. Bath towels are available on request.

What cooking facilities are there?
All our cruisers have a full-sized cooker with burner rings, grill and oven and a small fridge. There is a full inventory on board appropriate to the size of each cruiser. This includes everything from pots and pans to cutlery and crockery.

Is there electric on board?
There is no mains power on board so items like hairdryers and camcorders etc can only be used when ashore at a marina. All of our cruisers have a shaver socket for electric razors, but they cannot be used for anything else. Most boats also have a cigarette lighter type socket which can be used to recharge a mobile phone (provided you have a 12V car phone charger). All electrical services on board eg water, lighting, radio, showers etc. are powered from batteries which are charged from the engine (12V).

RESERVATIONS

Can I book a short break?
Yes - you can book a weekend from Friday to Monday or a midweek break from Monday to Friday. These cannot normally be booked in advance, they are available to book on-line 2-3 weeks before the start date, subject to availability

TRANSPORT

How do I get to the Marina from the airport?
We can offer scheduled transfers from Dublin airport to all marinas on Saturdays only at a cost of 33 euro per person single or 59 euro return. On Wednesday, the only transfer is from Dublin to Carrick-on-Shannon at 36 euro per person single and 69 euro per person return. Our scheduled transfers are between 12 and 6pm on arrival and up until 11am on departure. If you are travelling outside these times, we can organise a private transfer at the cost of a taxi or minibus.

Can you arrange ferry-crossings?
Yes. If you contact us by e-mail or phone, we can arrange crossings from Holyhead, Stranraer and Liverpool.