Leisure activities in Fermanagh

Waterways Ireland
20 Darling Street
Enniskillen
BT74 7EW

Restored and re-opened in 1994, the Shannon-Erne Waterways links the island's two great waterways, the Shannon and the Erne and offers glimpses of a part of the country not often seen by visitors.

When the restoration project was undertaken 120 years of neglect had reduced the waterway to a sad, weed-choked channel of broken bridges and missing locks.

Today, using the original sites and stonework, the bridges are now restored and the waterway is navigable for modern pleasure cruisers.

There are almost 300 miles of navigable waters on the Shannon-Erne Waterway and the water system is a connection of rivers, lakes, and a short canal which form a continuous stretch of water spanning eleven counties.

It is the longest natural waterway in Europe and flows from the town of Belleek, in County Fermanagh on the northwest coast of Northern Ireland to the Shannon estuary, at Killaloe in County Clare in the Republic of Ireland.

The waterways are made up of The Erne Lakes and River System, the Shannon-Erne Link, the North Shannon, and the South Shannon.

On the Shannon-Erne Waterway, there are six locks, and 16 automated locks which are operated by a push-button electro-hydraulic system.

Set in tranquil scenery, these excellent waterways offer cruising to anyone over the age of 18 and in good health.

There is no need to be registered as a 'captain of your own ship', a license is not required and you do not have to have any experience.

Cruiser, boats and barges are available for hire on the Shannon River and all of the fundamentals can be taught in a relatively short period of time when you arrive to pick up your cruiser.

Cruises are also offered, either a one way cruise, starting at one point and ending at another, or a round trip cruise starting and ending at the same point.

The river is navigable by hire cruisers for most of its length and is home to some of the best fishing in Ireland and fish in the river include carp, roach, rudd and pike.

From North to South, there are many great places for tourists to stay and visit, offering great hospitality and 'craic' and the best feature of the river is its intrinsic Irishness which embodies all that is best about Ireland, it's people and culture.

Please contact for further information by email.