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Ireland Barging on the Shannon River
Ireland Barging - Cruising on the Shannon River
Someone once said that life is a game but golf is serious.
For the sophisticated travelers who take that sentiment to heart, Go Barging, Europe's largest luxury barging company, is offering six- and seven-day golf cruises in Ireland aboard the luxurious Shannon Princess II, the largest luxury hotel barge cruising the Shannon River.
The cruises feature a breathtaking river route through Ireland, playing on five of the world's finest courses while enjoying the spectacular beauty of Ireland's Shannon region and soaking up its unique culture.
Golf cruise departures are available April through September.
The breathtaking river route travels through the soul of Ireland from Killaloe to Athlone. Golfers can look forward to playing o’ the green on five celebrated courses. Lahinch Golf Course, more than a century old, is a classic links ranked among the world’s top 100. The prestigious Portumna Golf Club, a traditional parkland course, is considered a hidden gem of Irish golfing. The Atlantic Ocean is a dramatic backdrop and natural water hazard of the Galway Bay Golf Course. The Athlone Golf Club commands spectacular lake views of Lough Ree. Its tree-lined holes put golfers to the test. A round at the Christy O’ Conner-designed Glasson Golf and Country Club completes the week with its many challenges and rewards.
Between all the golf, Go Barging guests cruise in style, pampered by an attentive crew that is known for its high level of service, eye for detail and, of course, Irish hospitality. Dining aboard the Shannon Princess II is a culinary adventure owing to the ship’s masterful chef, a graduate of the renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork. Signature dishes such as wild salmon, roast spring lamb and shellfish stew are among the native delicacies. In the “Colleen” saloon, guests can relax with an Irish coffee, a pint of Murphy's on tap or a selection from the barge’s extensive wine cellar.
Go Barging’s Shannon Princess II golf cruises also go beyond the game by offering guests a memorable cultural voyage. The waterways of the Irish Midlands are home to some of Europe’s richest landscapes – much of it unchanged in more than a thousand years. Historic sheltered harbors, ancient bridges and Victorian locks are just a few of the highlights only true insiders ever get a chance to experience. The full-length sundeck of the Shannon Princess II is the ideal spot to take it all in.
The Shannon Princess II is a recently refurbished 10-passenger hotel barge that has been specifically adapted to navigate the Shannon River. The spacious and elegantly designed vessel has played host to celebrities, politicians and captains of industry. Private staterooms are handsomely appointed and configured for optimal lakeside views.
Cruise prices are all-inclusive and start at $38,200 for an 8-passenger golf charter. The Shannon Princess II also offers non-golfing cruises, where guests can book individual cabins and join with other like-minded travelers to enjoy a scenic and cultural tour of the Shannon region. The entire vessel can also be chartered for family gatherings or one-of-a-kind business outings.
“The finest golf courses in the world await those who have a true passion for the sport,” said Derek Banks, CEO of Go Barging, a subsidiary of European Waterways. “Ireland’s dramatic terrain and ever-changing scenery makes it a natural choice for golf vacations. Cruising in luxury and gourmet dining between courses ensures the journey is as wonderful and relaxing as the destination.”
Go Barging is a subsidiary of European Waterways, the largest luxury barging vacation company in Europe, offering vacations in nine countries.
For reservations or more information including a full colour brochure, contact Go Barging at toll free 1 800 394 8630, fax: (+44) 1784 483072 or e-mail sales@GoBarging.com
Visit Discover Ireland at www.DiscoverIreland.com
Photo: Shannon Princess II in Ireland. Photo courtesy Go Barging.
