TNC On Tour Summer 2007 Page 22

The Tuesday Night Club Official Web Site

The Tuesday Night Club on Tour

Irish Summer Tour 2007

22 - Dromineer to Banagher - Shannon Navigation and Lough Derg, inc Woodford River.

Thursday 12th July 2007

It was a gloomy but fairly still morning and we set off at 07:45. Heading to the top of Dromineer Bay we went between the red and black buoys protecting the rocks of the Corrikeen Islands and the rocks off Urra Point. We then followed the buoys off the top of the Corrikeens then headed to the big Red Buoy on the west side of Lough Derg, then followed the buoys protecting the route into Dromaan Harbour. We managed to moor up OK, then had a quick wander around. This was a pleasant spot, not that near habitation in a wooded setting. The back end of the harbour had a narrow gap to keep big cruisers out, as this was reserved for smaller craft, the gap just happened to be 7ft wide! :-)
Soon we were off again, once past the markered channel, we headed north and popped into the outer part of Williamstown Harbour. Shannon Castle Line Cruisers hire boat base is in the inner harbour, with a handy diesel point. Once out of Williamstown Harbour, we headed north, following the line of red buoys to line up our course to pass on the inside of the Benjamin Rocks, these are protected by a black marker cairn, which sports a head sculpture, on our passage it also sported a cormorant drying out its wings.
After this we followed the main markered course up Lough Derg passing close to the large Illaunmore Island Black Buoy "D" off the Cormorant Islands, then the Black Buoy "E" off Goat's Road. From here we took a north west course to the west side of the Lough, aiming for Rossmore Jetty (10:10).
We passed by the jetty and found the "home made" buoyed channel through the reeds and into the Woodford River. It was an easy passage up this twisty, wooded little river up to the Conor Hogan Jetty. After we winded, we reversed up the continuation of the river, getting stuck after a few bends. It was a rather half hearted effort, the course is not maintained by volunteers beyond the jetty and we should have got out the chainsaw, instead of just breaking off branches!
After retracing our steps we moored up on the Rossmore Jetty at 11:15. Neil had a sweep down of the roof, gunwales and bow (covered in twigs and branches!), while the others had a wander around this exposed point. Back out in Lough Derg, we headed back down to Black Buoy "E", so as to give Red Buoy "F", protecting Split Rock a wide berth, then headed to Kilgarvan on the east shore.
We managed to find a berth on the outer harbour wall, right under the old loading canopy (12:05). after a very quick wander we were off again, up the lake, following the black markered course to the east. By this time the wind was blowing up but was fairly comfortable when going up the lake as it was a south westerly up our stern.
Once we rounded the protecting breakwater at Terryglass, we could not find a mooring, so retreated and went as far as we dared on the landward end of the outer breakwater (13:20). We legged it up to the village and had a swift pint of Guinness in the Derg Inn. We set off at 13:20, the plan being to visit the final Derg Port, Portumna Castle Harbour in the top corner, then curve round to get the 15:00 swinging of Portumna Swing Bridge.
It was a thrash across the top of the lake, the wind had got up even more and we had it beam on. A very short stop in Portumna Castle Harbour occurred, finding a 60ft slot right at the end. Portumna Bridge was made with 10 minutes to spare, we got through at 15:20 after going back and paying our toll for this and the down passage.
Meelick Lock took us between 17:00 and 17:35 and we arrived at Banagher at 18:50. We managed to fit in the "Barge Slot", just downstream of the navigation arch of Banagher Bridge. That evening we wandered into town and went to the Flynn's pub / Restaurant, OK meal in the "church hall" like restaurant room at the back of the pub. On the way back we did a spot of shopping in Super Valu, then back to the boat for a nightcap, watching and photographing the magnificent sunset. There was also many bats around, skimming the boat and surface of the river.

Leaving Dromineer. Lough Derg.

Passing between the Corrikeen Islands and Urra Point. Lough Derg.

Lough Derg.

Heading in toward Dromaan. Lough Derg.

The large red buoy at the start of the markered channel into Dromaan. Lough Derg.

The markered channel into Dromaan. Lough Derg.

Dromaan Harbour. Lough Derg.

Dromaan Harbour. The entrance into the inner harbour is exactly 7ft wide :-) Lough Derg.

Dromaan Harbour. Lough Derg.

Leaving Dromaan Harbour. Lough Derg.

Williamstown Harbour. Lough Derg.

Williamstown Harbour. Shannon Castle Line diesel point. Lough Derg.

Williamstown Harbour. Lough Derg.

Leaving Williamstown Harbour. Lough Derg.

Going between the Benjamin Rocks (protected by the large black marker). Lough Derg.

The large black marker, protecting the Benjamin Rocks has a new feature! Lough Derg.

Large black Buoy "E" protects the Goat's Road rocks. Lough Derg.

Heading towards Rossmore Quay. Lough Derg.

We bypass Rossmore and head up the Woodford River. Lough Derg.

Woodford River. Lough Derg.

Looking back from Woodford River. Lough Derg.

Woodford River. Lough Derg.

The Conor Hogan Quay at the end of Woodford River. Lough Derg.

We head further up the Woodford River. Lough Derg.

Back at Conor Hogan Quay. Woodford River. Lough Derg.

Leaving the Conor Hogan Quay. Woodford River. Lough Derg.

Arrival back at Rossmore Quay. Lough Derg.

Rossmore Quay. Lough Derg.

Rossmore Quay. We have a tidy up from tree debris! Lough Derg.

Rossmore Quay. Lough Derg.

Arrival at Kilgarvan. Lough Derg.

Kilgarvan. Lough Derg.

Buoy "H". Lough Derg.

Lough Derg.

Approaching Terryglass the wind whips up. Lough Derg.

Approaches to Terryglass. Lough Derg.

No room in Terryglass. Lough Derg.

We brave the outer harbour wall at Terryglass. Lough Derg.

The Derg Inn at Terryglass. Lough Derg.

Arrival at Portumna Castle Harbour. Lough Derg.

Portumna Castle Harbour. Lough Derg.

Heading out of Portumna Castle Harbour. Lough Derg.

Going through the "Box" of markers at the top of Lough Derg.

Waiting for Portumna Bridge. Shannon Navigation.

Portumna Bridge, going for it! Shannon Navigation.

Banagher. Shannon Navigation.

Banagher barge slot, below the bridge. Shannon Navigation.

The marina and hire boat bases above Banagher Bridge. Shannon Navigation.

Banagher.

Banagher. Fabulous sunset over the Shannon.

Tour Continues...

Home Page | "Earnest" | "Beatty" | Canal Restoration