Killaloe

城市概覽

The Shannon is both a barrier and a communication route across Ireland. In 1650, Oliver Cromwell was held up for ten days at Ballina, seeking ways to cross and advance on Limerick. The upper course of the river has little fall and is navigable, aided by three large lakes; the lowest Lough Derg reaches Killaloe-Ballina. In the 19th century two canals (the Grand and the Royal) were cut at huge expense all the way from Dublin to the upper Shannon. But the final stretch of river was the missing link: below Lough Derg it descends 30 m in 20 km, with waterfalls, to reach the tidal estuary at Limerick. A canal and lock system was needed; construction was expensively botched but it opened in 1799, and the twin towns became important river ports. That trade was killed by the railways in the 1850s. The waterways fell into disuse, and the lower river was dammed in 1930 to serve Ardnacrusha hydroelectric power station near Limerick. Nevertheless the value to leisure craft was recognised, and the Shannon remains navigable from the Atlantic up into Lough Derg and beyond. Tourist information is based on the Shannon bridge, open April-Sep.

如何抵達

Bus Eireann 345 runs five times daily from Limerick to Killaloe (40 min), Tuamgraney and Scariff. Bus Eireann 323 runs seven times daily Monday - Saturday, and five times daily on Sundays from Limerick to Ballina en route to Nenagh. This bus calls at Killaloe instead of Ballina during commuting hours. Express buses between Dublin, Nenagh and Limerick call at Birdhill, on the M7 interchange 3 km south of Ballina. Birdhill has two trains M-Sa and one on Sunday from Limerick to Nenagh and Ballybrophy, where they connect with the Dublin trains. By road from Dublin leave M7 at Junction 26 just beyond Nenagh and follow R445 southwest.

當地交通

Walk wherever possible. The old bridge connecting the two towns was recently fully pedestrianised, with car traffic diverted to a new bridge downstream.

必看景點

1 Killaloe Cathedral (Saint Flannan's), Royal Parade, Killaloe. Daily 10AM-7PM. Church of Ireland (Anglican) cathedral built in the 13th century in a mix of Romanesque and Gothic, adjoining an earlier chapel or oratory dedicated to St Flannan, the 7th century first bishop of Killaloe. There's a High Cross and the Thorgrim Stone, carved both in old Scandinavian runes and in Irish Ogham script. (updated Mar 2025) 2 St Flannan's Church, Chapel St, Killaloe V94 CC95. The Roman Catholic church is modern. Within its grounds is the transplanted little St Molua's (or Lua's) Church, built circa 1000 in the time of Brian Boru on Friar's Island in the River Shannon. In 1929–30 the Ardnacrusha hydroelectric scheme raised the water level and submerged the island, so the church was dismantled and brought to its present site. (updated Mar 2025) The Bridge is a handsome 13-arch structure. River floods have often swept away bridges here, but this one has lasted since 1825. There's a sidewalk; it's not wide enough for two vehicles to pass so traffic is signal-controlled and mustn't stop for photos. Cruises of the river and Lough Derg start from the nearby quays. A canal flanks the river to the west, and "Between the Waters" is the narrow island this creates.

3 Brian Boru's Fort is likely where he was born in 941. He rose to be High King of Ireland from 1002 and was continually at war. He was killed at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014 but his Munster forces defeated Leinster and their Vikings allies that day, and his O'Brien dynasty continued to dominate Ireland. The fort is just an earthwork from Neolithic times, a mound 70 m in diameter, reinforced in the 11th century. The river could be forded at this point until its level was raised in 1930, with a toll or boruma raised on the crossing of cattle herds — this may be the origin of Brian's nickname. The area is nowadays parkland accessible 24 hours, but often messed up with trash, vandalism and bonfire remains. Perhaps that's what dec

體驗活動

Boat trips sail Apr-Sep from Killaloe into Lough Derg. The operator is Killaloe River Cruises. Lough Derg Way is a 64-km trail upstream along the river from Limerick through O'Brien's Bridge, Killaloe and Ballina then along the east bank of Lough Derg to Dromineer in County Tipperary. Water activities: centres are along the west bank of the lough, such as the University of Limerick Activity Centre (which has facilities available to the public) and Lough Derg Holiday Village. Golf: East Clare Golf Village is 5 km west of Tuamgraney. Manage eels: the Shannon Eel Management Programme aspires to manage eels in the Shannon that do not necessarily wish to be managed. Salmon, eels and other fish had their upriver migration disrupted by Ardnacrusha HEP plant in 1930, though fish ladders were provided. The programme has ferried eels past that section of river. But their population decline may also reflect their life in the Atlantic, which is not amenable to measures in their Shannon spawning grounds.

購物

Aldi supermarket is on Abbey St Killaloe, open M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 9AM-9PM. Supervalu is directly opposite the Aldi, open M-Sa 8AM - 10PM, Su 9AM - 10PM Farmers Market is held on Sunday 11AM-3PM at "Between the Waters".

美食

Raw Interiors is a cafe-pizzeria on Church St Killaloe, open Th-Su 9:30AM-10:30PM. Flanagan's on the Lake is a pleasant spot in Ballina 100 m north of the bridge, but some are underwhelmed by the food. It's open daily noon-11:30PM. Scoops Ice Cream is on Lakeside Drive opposite Flanagan's. It's open Tu-Su 10AM-5PM. Brian Boru on the Hill, Ballina V94 X0RF (500 m north of bridge), ☏ +353 61 374458. M-F 4-11:30PM, Sa 2PM-midnight, Su noon-11PM. Great food and atmosphere. (updated Mar 2025) Wooden Spoon is an arts & crafts-style cafe at the bridge junction in Ballina, open daily 9AM-4PM. Tuscany Bistro 100 m south of the bridge is open F Sa 5-9PM, Su 2-7:30PM. Gooser's, Ballina V94 R678 (300 m south of bridge), ☏ +353 61 513266. Su-Th noon-9PM, F Sa noon-10PM. Thatched riverside bar and restaurant gets great reviews for food variety, quality and service. (updated Mar 2025)

飲品與夜生活

Anchor Inn, Bridge St, Killaloe V9 TRD7 (west end of bridge), ☏ +353 61 376108. M-F 4-11:30PM, Sa Su 2-11:30PM. Lively pub, often has live music Wednesdays and weekends. (updated Mar 2025) Reddans west along Killaloe Main St is open M-F 4:30-11:30PM, Sa Su 3PM-midnight. Washer Woman on Ballina Main St is open Su-Th 3-11PM, F Sa 3PM-midnight. Liam O'Riain's, Main St, Ballina, ☏ +353 61 376722. M-F 4-11:30PM, Sa 3PM-midnight, Su 2-11PM. Great trad pub, live music Saturday nights. (updated Mar 2025)

住宿

1 Killaloe Hotel, Kincora Harbour, Killaloe V94 W095, ☏ +353 61 622123. Great scores for comfort and service at this spa hotel. B&B double €150. (updated Mar 2025) 2 Blossom Hill B&B, Abbey St, Killaloe V94 PNR2, ☏ +353 87 252 5279. Immaculate welcoming B&B with pleasant garden. B&B double €100. (updated Mar 2025) 3 Lakeside Hotel, Lakeside Drive, Ballina V94 E2D6, ☏ +353 61 376122. Slick riverside hotel with leisure centre, glowing reviews for comfort an