From Sand to Stone

Boat Tour to Antrim

Newferry to Lough Beg

Meet your Skipper at Newferry on the River Bann. This quiet marina has ample car parking. Here your group will be welcomed onboard the boat, given a safety briefing and have life jackets fitted. From the moment you set foot onboard you can relax and sit down to enjoy a peaceful cruise along the Lower Bann and into the scenic nature reserve of Lough Beg. Here you will see Church Island and hear tales of mesolithic finds and standing stones. You will travel under both bridges at Toome and past the Eel Fishery. When you reach The Lock Keeper’s Cottage, a Waterways Heritage Centre and cafe, you can disembark for a comfort break before cruising along Toome Canal.

Toome Canal to Lough Neagh

Toome Canal, a quiet and idyllic haven for birdlife, dragonflies and otters. Our Skipper will tell you the stories of Toome Canal; from its busy role in Northern Ireland’s sand industry to the part it played more recently in filming the Game of Thrones HBO series. As you go through the historic Lock Gates and into Toome Bay you will hear how some of Ireland’s oldest human artefacts were discovered in this ancient area.

As you leave Toome Bay you will get a sense of the vast and rugged nature of our wild Lough Neagh and marvel at the first settlers and their perseverance in forging a life here. Those first settlers would no doubt have counted fishermen among their community, and that tradition of fishing on Lough Neagh continues to this day. We may encounter some of the local fishermen on Lough Neagh and they are always happy to say hello and show us what they are doing. Eel fishing is a longstanding and vital tradition on Lough Neagh and its importance is evident in many of the myths and legends of Lough Neagh.

Shane’s Castle

The ruins of Shane’s castle stand imposingly close to the shore, with cannon pointing towards the Lough. Built in 1345 by a member of the O’Neill dynasty, it was originally called Eden-duff-carrick. It is a strikingly beautiful piece of architecture, shrouded in mysteries and tales of curses and Banshees.

Close to the castle we will also see a torpedo platform which was constructed in 1942 during World War Two and was used to test torpedoes manufactured at Antrim. It is now a bird sanctuary, and here you will be immersed in the shrill calls of the Common Terns and the screeches of Black headed Gulls, both very vocal birds.

Antrim

We disembark at Antrim Loughshore where you can explore the park, woods, or dine in The Boathouse restaurant (pre-booking recommended). There is also a take-away cafe onsite aptly named ‘Little Swan’. Our Skipper will be waiting to take you back to Newferry when you are finished exploring on land.

The memories of this experience will stay with you long after you disembark and you will take with you a sense of connection to Lough Neagh, its history, heritage, wildlife and people.

  • Tour min time: 4 hours
  • Private Charter: Only your group onboard with the Skipper
  • Pre-booking essential
  • RHIB Experience: Some restrictions Apply
  • Great for: Sight-seeing, family day out, adventurers, photographers, historians, video producers, team building
  • Book Now: Call/text Lynn on +44(0)7845 370231

Make a day of it – Click here for some itinerary ideas for other things to do in or near Toome

+44 (0) 7845 370231

call or text Lynn to book or make enquiries

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