Yacht charter in Ireland

No licence, no experience, and the shortest learning curve of any destination in this guide. A lock or two most days and a village quay every night.

1. 1

   Banagher

   Handover and tuition; move a short way downriver.

2. 2

   Portumna

   Through the lock and the lifting bridge onto Lough Derg.

3. 3

   Terryglass or Dromineer

   First crossing of the lake — watch the forecast.

4. 4

   Mountshannon

   On the Clare shore, with Holy Island offshore.

5. 5

   Garrykennedy

   Small harbour under the Arra hills.

6. 6

   Back north — Portumna

   Re-cross the lake and lock back into the river.

7. 7

   Banagher

   Short run back for the morning handover.

Points the other way from the same base: more history on the bank, a second big lake, and the option of carrying on to Carrick.

1. 1

   Banagher

   Handover; head upriver in the afternoon.

2. 2

   Shannonbridge

   A short first leg with a Napoleonic fortification at the bridge.

3. 3

   Clonmacnoise

   Moor below the monastic site and walk up.

4. 4

   Athlone

   Through the lock into the town; castle and the old quarter by the bridge.

5. 5

   Lough Ree — Lecarrow or Hodson Bay

   Onto the lake; shallow and exposed, so pick the day.

6. 6

   Back to Athlone or Clonmacnoise

   Return south at your own pace.

7. 7

   Banagher

   Downriver to base.