Settle Yourself at Lough Derg

A cool way to experience Ireland is to ‘settle yourself,’ a common Irish phrase that means to get your bearings and get grounded. Choosing a single place to spend your vacation, whether it be a city, county, or province, is a novel way to experience Ireland at the ground level, to immerse yourself in nature and to take a deep dive into the living culture and heritage of a locality. It is a perfect way to support local farmers, restaurants, inn keepers, artisans and family-run businesses that depend on visitors year round.

You’ll also be supporting Ireland’s sustainable tourism movement, which seeks to minimize the carbon footprint of travelers in Ireland, while protecting the island from short and long term damages. Sustainable tourism offers visitors a respectful and responsible way to enjoy this precious island and leave it intact for generations to come.

A perfect place to settle yourself is at Lough Derg along the River Shannon.  Ireland’s second largest lake is bordered by Counties Clare, Tipperary and Galway, and picturesque lakeside towns including Killaloe, Scariff and Mountshannon in Co. Clare and Portumna in Co. Galway. The Tipperary side of Lough Derg includes Ballina, Garrykennedy, Dromineer, Coolbaun and Terryglass.

The 50 square mile, freshwater lake is perfect for outdoor activities such as boating, fishing and swimming. The lakeside towns are filled with artisans shops, pubs and restaurants and cultural offerings. Traditional Irish music is popular in all three counties, so nightly Irish music is easily found. Rental cottages are available around the lake, giving travelers an affordable way to settle in for a week or two. It’s the perfect way to enjoying a reunion or large gathering by renting several cottages in a row.

Day trips around Lough Derg take you to beautiful villages such as Borrisokane, Garrykennedy, Puckane and Dromineer. The nearby town of Nenagh in Tipperary offers historic sites such as Nenagh Castle, the Nenagh Heritage Centre, and plenty of boutiques, pubs and restaurants, including the famous Una Powell’s Pub, known for its perfect pint of Guinness, great food and impeccable service.

Another easy day trip is to the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, passing through Portumna in Galway and then into Clare, through the village of Boston and through Burren National Park before reaching Ennistymon. After exploring the Cliffs, drive along the west coast of Clare, stopping in Liscannor, Lahinch and Spanish Point. Then back to the cottage to freshen up before heading out to the pub for dinner and settling in for a night of live music.

ireland.com