Thank you for visiting our ‘Barge of the Month’ page! The Barge Company spent the weekend
of 3—6 March 2005 on the fantastic ‘Shannon Princess II’ barge that cruises the lower
Shannon River in Ireland.
We’re delighted to report that she is as spacious a barge as we have ever seen, with
light, airy cabins, immaculate, gleaming bathrooms furbished with heaven scented
organic bath products, a huge open plan living room and dining saloon
where you can spread out and soak up the restful ambiance, and a gloriously huge sundeck
with plenty of room to spread out and ‘relax, unwind and let the world float by’ TM
Originally she was built to accommodate 200 day-cruising passengers, and that explains
the luxury of space that is felt on board. Now of course standards are much higher as she
has been brilliantly transformed by very able husband and wife team Ruairi and Olivia Gibbons
into the warm and welcoming luxury barge that she is today. As the largest barge
to cruise the lower Shannon River she is certainly not lacking in creature comforts
and the level of gastronomy and personal service on board is literally second
to none.
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From top left, clockwise, the huge
lounge area, the barge seen from
the front, part of the sumptuous
breakfast feast (all home made
and fresh from the oven), cosy
bedside tables in our twin cabin,
and a double cabin. Click on
any picture to enlarge.
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Food on board the Shannon Princess II is all home-made and largely organic—a rare treat
these days! The following sample menu gives an idea of the superb cuisine hand-prepared by
Olivia, your personal barge chef, every single day. No corners are cut, and she rises at 5am
each day to ensure that fresh breads, pies, tarts, scones and flapjacks are served fresh and
warm, straight from the oven, to you each day.
Olivia is also kind enough to give enthusiastic clients who are interested, a personal cooking
lesson, and unlike many gourmet chefs, is happy to share some of her culinary secrets...
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Here is one guests’ record of breakfast on
board…
“Our typical midsummer breakfast consisted
of bowls of fresh berries – Raspberries, loganberries,
boysenberries, strawberries,
blueberries and cherries all from the
walled kitchen gardens of Portumna Castle.
Platters of Farmhouse cheese – a
softly oozing Carrigburn, a nutty Carrigaline
or a salty Cashel Blue.
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Charcuteries of spiced local sausages and cured meats,
bought in country markets. Smoked fishes from Lough Derg
and the river Shannon, smoked eel, trout & salmon served
with a rich tomato relish. Poached free range eggs or low fat
organic yogurts and cottage cheeses were a success, as
were poached Damsons, warm compots of gooseberries,
rhubarb or maybe elderberries – lovely when sprinkled with
muesli or even wholesome Irish porridge splashed with Bailey’s
Irish Cream.
Fresh from our galley oven came sweet buttermilk scones,
coconut & bran muffins & sinless honey & oat biscuits
(made with real honeycomb) eaten hot with homemade
jams and jellies or salty Irish Butter. A firm favourite was
Lemon Curd and cheese baked in buttery flaky pastry,
washed down with leaf or infusion teas or a frothy cappuccino.
But wait! – Soon its morning coffee & strawberry shortcake!”
(To read full article, click here).
Lunches are served as an extensive buffet, whilst evening meals
are a 6 course extravanganza (with small delectable portions so
you CAN manage it all!) See below’s sample menu.
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SAMPLE DINNER MENU
A warm Turbot, White Truffle & Prochiutto Terrine,
Mizuna Leaves, Asparagus, Vine Tomato & Chervil Scented
Vinagrette
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Rosehip & Geranium Leaf Sorbet
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Roast Garlic spiked Rumps of Lamb served Pink with
Carmelized Beets, Chickpeas & Minted aged Balsamico,
Herb & Leaf Salad
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Farmers Market Cheeses, Warm Oatcakes, Apple Chutney
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A Tasting Plate of
Organic Raspberries,
Bitter Chocolate Truffle,
Buttermilk Ice Cream &
Vanilla Shortcake
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Fudge with Liqueur Coffees –
Served on Deck
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An example of a selection of breads
served each course fresh from the galley ovens...
Rosemary and Seasalt Foccacia
Roast Garlic & Thyme, Blass - a traditional puff ballyeast bread Brown Soda
Tomato & Pesto
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An insight into the Shannon Princess II itinerary and excursions...
The cruise route is between Athlone and Killaloe on the lower River Shannon.
To see the full itinerary, click here.
The River Shannon is not narrow and straight, but meandering, wide and,
at times, extends outwards to become a large lake (called a ‘lough’ in Ireland).
This makes the cruise route varied and interesting, with everchanging
scenery.
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Excursions are of cultural
and historic interest, such as
Birr Castle
(left), with its
ornamental gardens, huge
telescope, organic walled
gardens and tallest box
hedges in the world (left and
below, left).
A very special place with
a spiritual atmosphere and
significance is the
ancientsite of Clonmacnoise,
‘crossroads of Ireland’ and
place of religious significance
for many centuries (see
huge celtic cross, right).
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KEEN FISHERMEN
—you can be taken out in a
‘Guilly’ (see
below) for a day (or more if you wish) fishing excursions with
the accompaniment of a professional fishing guide. The fresh
waters of the River Shannon and Lough Ree and Derg are renowned
for their excellent fishing, and anything you catch
can be cooked for dinner the same day (subject to your chef
Olivia’s approval, of course!)
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You will be looked after on the excursions
by
Paddy, your personal
barge guide, who will also drive
you to and from places visited in
this luxurious, leather-seated, topclass Mercedes minivan (below).
There is plenty of space for everyone
and there are even tables with 4
seats around them towards the back
of the bus. See also interior (right).
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KEEN GOLFERS
—Shannon Princess II offers all types of
golfing charters, to suit all requests. If partners don’t wish
to
golf, then that’s no problem. Please ask us for details. (Click
here to contact us).
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BEAUTIFUL views and dramatic sunsets
are the order
of the day on the lower River Shannon and
Lough’s Ree and Derg...
These pictures were taken on the 4th + 5th March
2006, so imagine how beautiful it will be at the height of summer!
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The huge living room
and dining room (open
plan, below) plus large
windows looking over
the water, mean that
you won’t miss anything
whilst cruising…
The long corridor
(right) that runs along
one side of the barge
gives access to all cabins—
no interior steps
means great news for
many people.
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Large
wardrobes
and compact
dressing tables
mean that space
is used very resourcefully
in the
cabins, offering
plenty of space for
your clothes and
toilette.
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Bathrooms
are gleaming
and bright,
with fantastic,
organic soaps,
shower gels
and body lotion,
plus
endless fluffy
towels...
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