Shannon lies on the banks of the Shannon River Estuary. Visitors choosing activities for their stay will find a range of options: walking trails, golf, playgrounds and parks, as well as aviation history. Tullyglass Point also adds a historical connection reaching far back into the past.
By the estuary: walking trails and a scenic drive
The Shannon Estuary Loop is a local walking trail around the Shannon Estuary. The Illaunmanagh Loop is also one of the two local walking trails in the Shannon area. These are two named options to consider when planning, while the Shannon Estuary Way offers a different way to explore: Shannon lies at the heart of this 207-kilometre scenic drive along the riverbank of Ireland’s deepest waterway. Local walking trails and a longer scenic drive therefore offer distinct ways to travel.
Town park, cycle path and play areas
Shannon Town Park has paved footpaths and a cycle path. Its bandstand serves as an outdoor venue for festivals and performances by local and visiting artists and musicians. The programme may vary; if a particular event is important to your trip, check the latest event dates.
In Tullyglass, the pump track at Shannon Town Park Playground and Pump Track offers challenges and fun for people of all ages and abilities. TĂr Na nĂ“g playground at the Shannon Swimming and Leisure Centre has more than twelve pieces of play equipment. As operating conditions at the playground may change, it is worth checking the centre’s latest notices before your visit.
Golf and aviation history
Shannon Golf Club is next to Shannon International Airport. Its course is an 18-hole championship parkland course measuring 6,763 yards. This gives Shannon a clearly defined golf offering alongside its walking and cycling routes; the course length and 18 holes provide golfers with specific details for planning.
A permanent public exhibition in the departure hall of Shannon International Airport features the world’s largest private collection of die-cast aircraft models. Shannon Aviation Museum presents the aviation history of Shannon. The two attractions have different focuses: the exhibition showcases aircraft models, while the museum centres on the history of aviation.
Tullyglass Point and County Clare
Tullyglass Point is the site of a Neolithic settlement dating back approximately 4,500 years. This historical connection contrasts with Shannon’s aviation themes: one concerns a Neolithic settlement, while the other focuses on aviation history and a collection of aircraft models.
County Clare also offers further landscapes and cultural attractions. The Cliffs of Moher reach more than 700 feet at O’Brien’s Tower and extend for almost 14 kilometres along the Clare coastline. The visitor site includes 800 metres of paved paths and viewpoints, including access to O’Brien’s Tower. The Cliffs of Moher Experience also includes a fully accessible visitor centre with a self-guided exhibition and a virtual reality experience on a cliff face.
Visitors can explore walking trails in Burren National Park. Inis Cealtra, also known as Holy Island, lies in Lough Derg on the Shannon; its history as a monastic settlement dates back to the 7th century. These destinations are part of the wider destination of County Clare and should be distinguished from the attractions in Shannon described above.
Discover more destinations: Scarriff, Bellharbour, Cappanavarnoge, Murroogh, Labasheeda, Killaloe, Mountshannon, Killimer.
For the broader travel guide: County Clare.
