The Lodges at Shannon Oaks Hotel

Local Activities

Walking

Walking in the countryside is a breath of fresh air especially in Lough Derg, where it is situated in the most beautiful part of the country containing many country roads, which are encircled in a beautiful lake.

Golf

If you are interested in golf you should visit and play a round of golf at Portumna golf club, there is a pitch and putt and nine-hole golf course at Oldthort, which is situated one mile out of Tynagh Road. Portumna Golf Club is one of the hidden gems of Irish golf. It is a beautiful parkland course, which seeks its way through forest and woodlands close to Lough Derg, the last and largest like on the River Shannon. Its mature trees backdrop the full range of seasonal colour to provide a different challenging experience, no matter what time of the year you play. For all golf lovers, Portumna has lots of interesting shots, including number of elevated tee box positions.

Horseriding

Horse riding over Shannon is located on the Tipperary side and is about six miles out of Tynagh road. There is also an equestrian centre in Portumna which offers equestrian holidays including trekking, hunting, cross country, etc.

Karting

Karting which is also a very popular activity is only located about eight miles out of the Tynagh road and is Europe's biggest track.

Fishing in Portumna

Portumna and district is practically a new area of the lower Shannon to the coarse Angler, offering over twenty miles of unfished water from Shannon Grove on the Galway side and the Blackwater above Victoria Lock on the Tipperary side, down to Lough Derg. So if you are a big fishing fan why not fish in Portumna as Portumna offers good fishing water and have a good track record, there are several prime angling hotspots, which are located on the river Shannon itself and the Northern Shores of Lough Derg.

On the river there are two stretches known locally as the "lower town" stretches. On the Galway and Tipperary bank there are a couple of more stretches, which offer further possibilities of angling.

Spring fishing can be brilliant as shoals of Roach and hybrids leave the vast waters of Lough Derg more upstream into the river around Portumna, from June through to late October the river returns to normal with a more even spread of species, including some Bream. Lough Derg stocks golden colored rudd, which are a shy fish. At the confluence of the river Suck and Shannon the deep water is the home for specimen rudd-beam hybrids. The Northern Shores of Lough Derg have over recent years become renowned for its quality Bream fishing. Huge bags of Bream are reported from remote shores and anglers are now coming every year to experience and enjoy this type of fishing. If you opt this type of fishing your should be prepared with a leveling platform for your comfort as the shores can be rocky and uneven in places also watch the weather forecast as fishing can be uncomfortable in strong winds.

The river Shannon has great stocks of a wide variety of fish including salmon, brown trout, bream, trench, roach, hybrids, tench, pike and perch. The Shannon is the largest river in Ireland and is 240 miles long from its source at the Shannon Pot in the foothills of the Cuilcagh Mountains in County Cavan to its estuary below Limerick City. This important river and its tributaries drain about a fifth of the area of Ireland. Throughout the journey to the sea the rivers cape is ever changing widening and narrowing over and over again, and leaving in its wake numerous islands, backwaters, pools, bends and quiet bays, all the most likely haunts for fish. Its great length and its tributaries form an enormous and richly diverse fishery.

The Shannon Region owes its name to this mighty river, which flows through the heart of the area form Shannonbridge at its mid section to its confluence with he Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Shannon Estuary.

Shannon Cruises

If you want to enjoy the view of Lough Derg, why not take a daily cruise, there are several Lake Bus Operations on Lough Derg. You and your family can cruise from Garrykennedy, Dromineer and Killaloe or to nearby harbour villages. Shannon Castle Line operates a modern and high quality fleet of cruisers on the Shannon. Each of these self-drive cruisers is fitted out to the highest standards and equipped with all necessary essentials and safety equipment. This includes mobile telephones in case you need to contact them during your holiday for any reason, stereo/tape deck, bedding, and full cooking facilities, toilets, showers and central heating. Binoculars, first aid kits, rowing dinghy and lifejackets to suit all sizes are of course standard equipment with your boat.

Lough Derg Yacht Club

Lough Derg Yacht Club, founded in 1835, is situated in Dromineer, close to Nenagh, in Co. Tipperary, Ireland. The club offers great sailing and cruising for all types of boats. Dingy classes sailed include Optimist, Mirrors, Lasers, 420's and the Shannon One Design.

Sailing School

Seoltoirì Sailing School is a new, family run sailing school, established in 2005 by Diarmaid and Alma Lally. The school was set up in response to local needs for summer activities for young people. Seoltoirì Sailing School is situated on the north shore of Lough Derg in the village of Portumna. This area was selected (where the Shannon river enters the lake) because it offers the safest places to experience water-based recreation. Next to the school there is a designated swimming area with a resident lifeguard on duty during the summer months. Another aspect of this location is the prevailing on-shore breeze, ensuring students will always be able to navigate to shore easily. This year sees the launch of a new safety boat, based in this area of the lake.