A boat trip through Lough Key
Lough Key is the jewel of the upper Shannon — an inland sea of islands, forest and moorings that crews return to every year.
Some loughs are passages; Lough Key is a destination. Set in a bowl of forested hills between Boyle and the Shannon channel, it combines island-studded water with one of the best park shores in Ireland. Crews plan their weeks around nights here — and many a Shannon veteran's favourite photo was taken from its moorings at sunset.
The approach
Coming from the south through Battle Bridge lock, the water narrows between reedy banks and then opens without warning into the lough's southern basin. The chart becomes a puzzle of named islands — Church, Castle, Horse, and more — each with its cover of trees. Navigation is straightforward but demands attention: the marked channel weaves, and the islands hide boats and each other. Slow speed is not a limit here; it is the correct way to arrive.
The islands
The islands are the lough's personality:
- Church Island, with its monastic enclosure — reached on the park's boat tour rather than your own cruiser
- Private and bird islands, best admired from a respectful distance
The rule of the lough is simple: enjoy the islands visually, land where landing is clearly welcome, and let the wild ones stay wild.
Lough Key Forest Park
The eastern shore is the famous one: Lough Key Forest Park, with moorings that put a national-scale woodland playground at the end of your bow line. Ashore, the park offers signed trails through old estate woodland, the tree canopy walk above the forest floor, an activity park for children, and the café that anchors every crew's afternoon. History sits quietly in the landscape — the estate of the King–Harman family, ice houses, bridges and viewpoints — and half a day disappears easily.
Moorings and nights
The park's jetty is the organised option — facilities, easy access, family bustle. The quieter alternative is anchoring or picking up a mooring in one of the sheltered bays, where the evening soundtrack is water, birds and the occasional distant session from the park. Wind matters more than on the river: the lough is open enough that a fresh westerly makes the exposed northern water uncomfortable, and smart crews use the forecast to pick their night's corner.
A day on the water
The lough rewards slow circumnavigation: an hour of pottering among the islands, a swim off the stern in a calm bay, lunch on deck with the forest as the view, and an evening walk in the park before the light goes. Anglers rate the lough's pike and perch; families rate the ice cream; everyone rates the moment the engine goes off and the lough does the talking.
Frequently asked questions
Can I moor overnight at Lough Key Forest Park?
Yes — the park jetty offers visitor moorings in season with shore access to trails and the café; arrive early in peak weeks.
Is the lough difficult for beginners?
The marked channels are clear and speeds are low; in normal weather it is well within a first-timer's ability after the river approach.
How long should I budget for Lough Key?
One night minimum, two is better — the park alone fills a day, and a slow island circuit fills another.
The short version
Come through the lock, slow down among the islands, moor by the forest park and stay longer than you planned. Lough Key is the upper Shannon's reward — crews earn it in an hour and remember it for years.