Known as ‘the Marina Capital of Ireland’, Carrick-on-Shannon (in Irish, Cora Droma Ruisc, which translates as the Weir of the Marshy Ridge) lies on the shores of the River Shannon in County Leitrim.
Just two hours from Dublin and two and a half from Belfast, this little corner of Ireland is renowned for its raucous hen and stag dos, attracting brides and grooms from across the Emerald Isle.
Don’t be put off by those swarms of stumbling stags and gaggles of clucking hens. Indeed, Dean Gammell of Stagit.ie, Ireland’s leading stag company and a man who knows all about bachelor and bachelorette activities in Carrick on Shannon, told the Irish Examiner that “The day of sitting in the pub all weekend and getting plastered is definitely gone.” That’s a relief.
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Carrick-on-Shannon, then look no further than this; our guide to the 9 IDEAL things to do in Carrick-On-Shannon, Ireland. And don’t worry, we’ll still go to the pub…
CATCH & EXHIBITION & HAVE ELEVENSES AT THE DOCK
A former courthouse, The Dock is the town’s beautifully renovated multidisciplinary arts centre. Located on the banks of the majestic river and funded by Leitrim County Council and the Arts Council, the venue hosts a programme of contemporary art exhibitions and theatre performances. Regular classes and creative workshops are also held at The Dock, making it ideal for those looking for an activity-led holiday that’s a little more lowkey than the usual paintball and piss-up routine.
The Dock is also home to the Jury Room Cafe which is open from 10.30am to 3pm daily and serves up a range of delicious cakes, scones, teas and coffees. It proclaims to be the “the ideal place for elevenses” and we couldn’t agree more.
Read: 5 of the best places for a long weekend away in Ireland
MOON RIVER CRUISE
This family run business has been giving luxury cruises to people just like you for over 25 years. Their fully heated cruiser is the ideal place to take in the wonders hidden along the River Shannon in comfort and style.
Indeed, cruising down the river that defines this town is one of the loveliest ways to spend an afternoon within it, taking you along the River Shannon and on towards the Boyle River and then into Lough Drumharlow, where the boat circles an island and turns back.
The Moon River Cruise also boasts live music on board (they might do a rendition of their namesake, if you ask!), table service and even a guided tour of sorts from the captain, who explains points of interest and folklore of the area.
ENJOY SOME IRISH FARE
Carrick-On-Shannon boasts some excellent restaurants specialising in traditional Irish dishes.
The Redbank restaurant, a family run business with the kitchen led by award-winning head chef Michelle McGowan, is arguably the best.
Offering seasonal menus, their food is delicious and hearty, unpretentious yet innovative. Moreover, it celebrates the town and its surrounding area’s produce, using the finest locally sourced ingredients for a fresh as you like seasonal menu.
The menu features a West Coast seafood chowder served with a deep fried connemara dillisk, a type of seaweed sourced from Mungo Murphy’s, a leading supplier of Irish seaweed, which is revered globally for its rich, umami flavour. When paired with the seafood of the West Coast, some of the best on the planet, you’re in for a real treat.
For starters, deep fried Leitrim Hill goats cheese makes use of another premium local product, while seared scallop served with award winning Andarl Farm Pork Belly follows a similar ethos triumphantly. They also have a brilliant cocktail menu using locally sourced ingredients.
SOME OF THE OTHER TOP RESTAURANTS IN THE AREA…
One of the key ingredients to happy weekending is good food. Indeed, as the saying goes, ‘’much depends on dinner’’. Or, more to the point considering we’re in Carrick-On-Shannon, as the old Irish proverb goes, “Laughter is brightest where food is best.”
So, follow that laughter and you may well alight on some great food, too. Just 5 miles from Carrick-On-Shannon, in Jamestown village, is The Cottage Restaurant which is ranked 3rd out of 50 places to eat on Tripadvisor. Moreover, the Irish Times recently named it in their list of the top 100 restaurants in Ireland as one of the best destination dining venues in the country. Here’s what they had to say:
“At this charming country restaurant chef Sham Hanifa expertly and creatively combines his Malaysian and Thai cooking knowledge with Irish ingredients to turn out dishes that are exciting and hearty in equal measure. His ever-evolving seasonal menus feature ducks from Cavan, venison from Sligo, and goat and quail from Fenagh. There is great value to be had with the dinner menu here probably thanks in part to the restaurant growing some of the vegetables, fruit and edible flowers themselves on site.”
Another top restaurant is Divinos, which serves up the finest Italian food in the town and constantly tops lists of the best restaurants here.
Finally, it’s essential that you head to the Oarsman, a very popular spot with locals and a marvellous place to have dinner, too. It’s a traditional family-run pub set close to the river that uses local produce to create handsome and hearty dishes. Be aware that the upstairs restaurant is only open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, but it’s well worth checking out.
Read: 5 IDEAL foodie things to do in Dublin
ANGLE THE DAY AWAY
Carrick-On-Shannon is an angler’s paradise (been spending most our lives…) and is ideal for travellers both who love a bit of fishing or are first timers looking to dip their toes – or should that be ‘rods’? – in the water.
Within just 10km radius of the town there are no fewer than 41 lakes, but if you’re looking for some focus, visit the Aisleigh Guesthouse, who provide a wide range of services for anglers. First time fisherpeople are given a guided tour of the best swims, with stocks of bream, tench, roach, pike and perch to catch.
We couldn’t imagine anything better than pitching up somewhere in the sun, cracking open a couple of cold ones and casting our rod, with the possibility of cooking your catch over fresh coals as the sun sets. In Carrick-On-Shannon, this idyllic scene is possible.
THE MARKET YARD CENTRE
The town centre is home to a number of restored 19th-century market buildings and The Carrick-On-Shannon Farmer’s Market takes place on Thursdays between 10am and 2pm. Here, an opportunity to stop and chat to all the producers and learn more about the area and its food shouldn’t be missed. Moreover, it’s a wonderful way of engaging with the wonderful community spirit of the town.
Set in the historic market yard, you’ll find the Olive Tree Cafe. It’s the place to come if you’re in need of a quick breakfast or lunch – it’s cosy inside and has plenty of outdoor seats if the weather’s warm. Oh, and they do a jolly good pie!
TULLYBOY FARM
If you’re travelling with little ones, then just a 15 minute drive away from Carrick-on-Shannon you’ll find Tullyboy farm – a family-run working farm. Here, you can get up close and personal with the animals, including pigs, llamas, emus and puppies, and even feed them. There are even pony and trailer-tractor rides, and the Rural Life Museum on the farm’s grounds. You might need to box off a whole afternoon for this one!
THE CARRICK-ON-SHANNON REGATTA
If you’re looking for a good time to visit Carrick-On-Shannon, it has to be during the town’s regatta which takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Covering 500 metres of river immediately south of the town’s famous bridge and hosted by Carrick-On-Shannon Rowing Club, the event takes over the region, with festivities and frolics long after the race is run. Or rather, rowed.
This year, the regatta was sadly cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. Next year, it will hopefully be back, bigger and better than ever.
HAVE A PINT AT GINGS RIVERSIDE BAR
You’re in Ireland so it would be rude not to have a pint of Guinness or two and the ideal place to enjoy this smooth and frothy beverage is at Gings Riverside Bar.
Established all the way bank in 1880, the bar boasts one of the largest outdoor beer gardens in this part of the world. Moreover, it’s a hugely picturesque location on the banks of the River Shannon and is the best place to be when the sun’s out.
If you’re not one for Guinness, why not sample an Irish coffee? After all, in a single glass, Irish Coffee provides you with all four essential food groups: alcohol, sugar, caffeine and fat, which will set you up nicely for another day of exploring this wonderful town!