Paddling near Lanesborough, Co. Longford

Lanesborough sits at the northern tip of Lough Ree on the River Shannon in County Longford, placing it at the heart of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands. The town is a natural gateway for paddlers: the Shannon flows directly through, Lough Ree stretches southward as a vast inland sea studded with islands, and the Royal Canal adds a historic flatwater alternative. Guided kayak trips run from Lanesborough harbour, and the Longford Canoe Trail — a looped multi-day route taking in the Shannon, Lough Ree and the Royal Canal — is one of the standout paddling journeys in the Irish Midlands.