Our base in Portumna
About Portumna
The whole of the Shannon and Erne is great for fishing, but Lough Derg, a stone’s throw south of Portumna, is a fisherman’s paradise and probably the best fishing spot in Ireland. This spectacular stretch of water is huge and you could easily spend a week exploring the many pretty villages along its shores. Must-see Clonmacnoise, an ancient Celtic burial site, is just 6 hrs to the north of Portumna.
From Portumna it is:
- 19hrs (5 locks) to our base in Carrick-on-Shannon
What you get on the base
Services
- Toilets and showers
- Laundry
- Wifi
- Fridge
Extras & options for your cruise
The following extras are available to prebook or purchase locally at this base. A reduced fee will apply to items that are prebooked. Please see 'Vacation Extras' for more details about each extra. Restrictions apply.
Practical extras
Early check-in & late check-out
Boat cleaning
Parking (see 'Travel info' tab)
Car transfer (see 'Travel info' tab)
Eco cleaning pack
L.E.D. lantern
Top-deck cushions
Grocery packs
Fun extras
- Bike hire
- Special occasion gift baskets
- Gas barbecues
- Angling dinghy and outboard
Opening hours
Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat: 9am – 6pm. Sun:Closed | If there is no one at the base at a specific time during these hours, the phone number below will be diverted and an alternative number will also be displayed at the base.
Address
Emerald Star
Bridge Road
Portumna, H53 W447
Co Galway
Telephone
+ 353 (0) 909 741 120
Travel to Portumna
By Train
Closest train stations:
- Nenagh: 30 km
- Ballinasloe: 34 km
By Road
Be prepared
It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with local road rules and abide by them. Most European countries have a list of compulsory equipment that you must take with you. For driving advice and a list of the equipment you’ll need, please visit https://www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-cover/driving-in-europe
Directions from Galway City
Take motorway to Loughrea. From Loughrea to Killimor Killimor- Portumna.
Directions from Dublin Airport
Take Motorway M50. Exit at Athlone/ Galway. Motorway to Ballinasloe. Ballinasloe exit for Portumna. Directions from Shannon Airport: Take Motorway to Limerick City. Follow signs for Dublin. Exit at Nenagh for Borrisokane. Follow direct to Portumna.
Directions from Cork Airport
Take city bypass following signposts to Limerick. In Limerick take bypass of city following signs to Dublin/ Nenagh. In Nenagh take exit for Borrisokane and follow direct to Portumna
Directions from Knock Airport
Follow signs to Claremorris, Claremorris to Tuam, Tuam to Claregalway, Turn left in Claregalway and go to oranmore, take left exit at first roundabout and first left at next roundabout following signs for Dublin/Loughrea. By pass Loughrea following signs for Ballinasloe/Dublin. Approx 3km from Loughrea turn right following signs for Killimor/Portumna. Enter Portumna.
Directions from Rosslare Port
Follow signs for Kilkenny City, From Kilkenny to Johnstown, Johnstown to Borris-in-ossery. From Borris-in-ossery to Roscrea, Roscrea to Birr and Birr to Portumna
Parking
Unsecured Parking onsite (pree-bookable extra - fee applies)
By Air
Closest airports:
- Galway: 62 km
- Shannon: 94 km
- Dublin: 162 km
- Knock: 119 km
- Cork: 178 km
Airport Transfers
In Ireland we can arrange airport transfers for you. Standard transfers are €35 per person and run from Dublin airport to Carrick-on-Shannon on Saturdays (and any other day except Sunday – although a minimum 5 person charge applies on these other days) and from Dublin or Shannon airport to Portumna on Saturdays only. Outside of these time, a private transfer can be arranged, although different rates will apply.
Inward standard transfers are arranged to coincide with arrivals between 09.00 – 18.00. Any time outside of these times will be charged at a private rate.
On arrival at Dublin airport, if landing at Terminal 1, you will find your transport driver waiting in front of the coffee shop, and if landing at Terminal 2, you will find your driver waiting in front of the book shop. If you are travelling to Carrick-on-Shannon your driver will be from Martin Coaches and have a sign with 'Shannon - Erne - Waterways', if you are travelling to Portumna your driver will be from Kearns Transport and have a sign with 'Emerald Star or Le Boat'.
Return transfer time is before 10 am from either base. If you require a later pick up time, a private transfer rate will apply. If you have an early morning flight, you will be picked up 5 hrs prior to your flight’s departure time. (E.g. Flight time: 8am - you will be picked up from the base at 3 am. Please note this is a standard transfer rate).
Please contact our Boating Experts to book your transfer.
By Sea
Irish Ferries offer several daily sailings from Holyhead to Dublin. Dublin is approximately a two hour 15 minute drive from our Le Boat Base in Portumna. Pack your car with everything you need to enjoy your holiday to the full.
If you are arriving by plane or train, we can arrange for a transfer for you to and from the base at negotiated prices.
These are €35 per person (oneway) and run from Dublin airport to Portumna on Saturdays (and any other day except Sunday – although a minimum 5 person charge applies on these other days). Outside of these time, a private transfer can be arranged, although different rates will apply. Please enquire.
Inward standard transfers are arranged to coincide with arrivals between 09.00 – 18.00. Any time outside of these times will be charged at a private rate.
Return transfer time is before 10 am from either base. If you have an early morning flight, you will be picked up 5 hrs prior to your flight’s departure time. (E.g. Flight time: 8am - you will be picked up from the base at 3 am.) This is charged at the same standard transfer rates as above. If you require pick up later than 10am, a private transfer rate will apply. Please enquire.
Approx price (4 persons) from:
- Shannon Airport (SNN)190€
- Dublin Airport (DUB)240€
Individual transfers outside these routes/times can be requested with the Sales Team.
In both cases, please contact the Sales Team via Email ([email protected]) at least two weeks prior to your holiday. Payable ahead to your Sales Contact Person.
To book a taxi to or from the base you can contact the number below.
Ambrose Sheehy (00353 (0) 909 741 140)
Kieran Madden (00353 (0) 872 990 509)
Larry’s Hackney (00353 (0) 872 961 560)
Gene Forde (00353 (0) 872 434 311)
Arrival at Portumna
For more details about:
- when to arrive at our bases
- what to expect when you arrive
- how to prepare for check-in
- what happens on your final day when you return your boat
visit our 'arrivals' page.
Local info
Payment Means
Please note that your security deposit, engine hours deposit (see compulsory costs) & any extras added at the base and are required to be paid in local currency by card. Our bases accept Visa & Mastercard, but not American Express.
Hotels
County Arms Hotel Birr Co. Offaly (21.8 km from base) – Tel. +353 (0) 579 120 791 https://www.countyarmshotel.com/
Carlton Shearwater Hotel (35 km from base) – Tel. +353 (0) 90 9 630 400 https://www.shearwaterhotel.com/
Lough Rea Hotel and Spa (35 km from base) – Tel. +353 (0) 918 800 88 www.loughreahotelandspa.com
Abbey Court Hotel & Spa (30 km from base) – Tel. +353 (0) 674 11 11 www.abbeycourt.ie
Restaurants
The Dreg Inn - Tel. 00353 (0) 672 203 7
Mc Namaras - Tel. 00353 (0) 619 210 20
Le Chateau - Tel. 00353 (0) 902 945 17
Coffey’s Bar and Food store - Tel. 00353 (0) 903 611 18
Modena Restaurant - Tel. 00353 (0) 909 759 568
Local Market
Friday Morning-Country Market in Town Hall- Home grown and baked produce Saturday Morning (Small Market)
Fishing
Permits are not required on the River Shannon and any rivers off it do require a permit, which can be obtained via inland Fisheries Ireland on www.permits.fishinginreland.info.
Bring your own fishing equipment as it is not available to hire at the base. It is possible to buy equipment from the following shops: Tooman Angling and Leisure Ltd, Bridge Street: Tel. +353 (0) 719 621 872 which is situated 15 meters from the Shannon, it also provides outdoor clothing and bait etc.
Tourist Info
Portumna Visitor Information Point, Abbey St, Fairyhill, Portumna, Co. Galway, Ireland
Doc/Vets
Doctors
Dr Fahey - 090 9741657
Dr Brogan - 090 9741146
Electric car charging points
In the square in Portumna about a 3 minutes drive from the base.