Rob and Amy Rankin run a travel tour business. Along with their son Finn and daughter Sana they spend a weekend exploring the Shannon Blueway starting in Drumshanbo and follow the Allen canal to Battlebridge. Over the two days the Rankin family head east towards Ballinamore on a stretch of waterway that connects the Shannon ultimately to Lough Erne.

Presenter
Rankin Family

About
The canal is brimming with wildlife and the Rankins stop and observe nature with nature enthusiasts Michael and Molloy Bell. There are all sorts of activities to be encountered along the canal and Rob and Finn spot a canoe launching site and decide to have a go while Amy and Sana go horse riding.

Eager to experience all activities offered along the way, the Rankins continue their journey on electric bikes. They stop off along the way where Rob meets local historian Seán Ó Suillebháin who gives him some advice about the route ahead and the local history.

Their next stop takes them to Ballinamore Folk Museum, where curator, Brian Kennedy displays his collection of folk memorabilia, implements, farm machinery and vehicles.

Depending on the time of year there will be different things going on in the communities along the bank. So every canal holiday is unique. The last stop on the route finds the Rankins at a bustling music festival, the first of its kind to be held at Drumcoura.

Grade
Easy, national waymarked trail

Distance
3km (total trail 30km)

Estimated Time
2 hours

Terrain underfoot
Country roads, mountain trail

Total Height Climbed
Flat

Suitable for
Everyone

Notes
At Start - Drumshambo. Parking.