1. Blue sky thinking

Explore the blueways, the beguiling waterways of Ireland. The Shannon Blueway offers a network of multi-activity recreational trails that provide scenic routes into the heart of the country by canoe, bike or on foot. This new development at Acres Lake includes an iconic floating boardwalk around the lake to extend the walking and cycling trails into Drumshanbo, connecting it to Leitrim village. Rejuvenate with a day trip to the Shannon Blueway, choosing from a range of providers and activities. Book a guided paddle with either Adventure Gently, ideal for novice paddlers, or Leitrim Surf Company which thrills with stand-up paddleboards.

2. Walk this way

Soak up the scenery around Lough Derg by doing the Lough Derg Way, a 64km route that starts at the tourist office behind the Hunt Museum in Limerick city and follows the Shannon and its canals to the lake port of Dromineer on Lough Derg. Pass through Clonlara, Co. Clare, with its charming shops and pubs, O’Briensbridge, and Killaloe, once home of the 11th century High King of Ireland, Brian Boru. Killaloe is a heritage town, and many walkers linger at St. Flannan’s Cathedral. The terrain consists mainly of canal and riverside paths and country roads. If you’re feeling fit, you can complete the walk quickly enough; for those who prefer a more relaxed pace, it can be split over several days.

3. Longing for Longford

Longford is a great place for outdoor sporting activities, from canoeing and kayaking to more leisurely canal cruising, as well as coarse and game angling across the lakes, rivers and canals. The Royal Canal Way is a 90-mile walking and cycling corridor from Dublin to Longford, and the Clondra-Longford 16km addition is a stunning off-road trail that meanders alongside the canal offering you views of rural pastureland. For those more interested in the history and heritage of the area, the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre is a must-visit. The centre interprets an Iron Age bog road built in the year 148 B.C. across the boglands of Longford, close to the River Shannon. The oak road is the largest of its kind to have been uncovered in Europe and is on permanent display.

4. Cruise control

Taking to the water on a cruise is the perfect antidote to stressful lifestyles. The Shannon short break offering from Emerald Star will suit those looking for a few days’ getaway. Allow three to five nights for a return trip from Carrick-on-Shannon to Lanesboro in Longford. Take in the ruins of Carrick castle; move onto Roosky, Co. Roscommon with its walks and angling; and try the inviting restaurants and pubs of Tarmonbarry on the Roscommon/Longford border. Shannon Culture Holidays at Quigley’s Marina on the shores of Lough Ree also hires out self-drive cruisers, with a minimum three-night stay. Quigley’s Marina works in conjunction with Locaboat Holidays, where a canal-style boat, a ‘Penichette’, can be hired.

One relaxing cruising option is to make your way to Athlone, 45 minutes away, and overnight to visit the castle, have a tipple in Sean’s Bar, said to be the oldest in Ireland, dine in some of the great local restaurants including The Left Bank Bistro and Kin Khao and enjoy the art at the Luan gallery. Day two could include Clonmacnoise and Shannonbridge where Luker’s bar and restaurant is a popular choice. Round off by crossing part of Lough Ree to Lecarrow village, Co. Roscommon, with its lovely harbour, restaurant and pub. It’s also not far from the abandoned medieval town of Rindoon.

5. On yer bike

The Old Rail Trail is a 40km cycle through the midlands, connecting Athlone with Mullingar and passing through the town of Moate where Dún na Sí heritage park is worth visiting. Start in Mullingar and follow the path as it snakes along the canal to the head of the greenway. The route will take you along a converted stretch of the former great western railway and through farmland. Pass under arched bridges, through a tunnel and past serene countryside all the way to Athlone.