Banagher on the River Shannon

Banagher is a riverside town on the River Shannon. Riverside paths, activities on the water and a layered architectural history are among the themes you can weigh up when choosing your destination. Shannon Bank Park combines a green riverside setting with a walking trail; bridges, forts and historic buildings tell the story of different periods of construction and use.

Walks along the Shannon

Shannon Bank Park is an open, green park on the banks of the River Shannon. It is open to groups, visitors and locals from Banagher and the surrounding area. A circular trail through the park is one mile long and suitable for walking or jogging. If you prefer to be right by the water, Banagher also offers walks along the banks of the River Shannon. Fishing on the Shannon is another local option.

The park is also home to “The Trollope Bridge”, a miniature replica built by the community. It commemorates Anthony Trollope’s 200th birthday and his time in Banagher. It should not be confused with the actual Bridge of Banagher, which crosses the Shannon and was built between 1841 and 1843. A fragment of the earlier bridge, built in 1685, can be seen between Cromwell’s Castle and the seventh arch: the bridge brings together these different phases of construction.

Bridges, forts and historic buildings

Fort Eliza, also known locally as Salt Battery, is a detached, five-sided battery built around 1812. It lies 400 yards along Crank Road, on the eastern side of the River Shannon. Fort Eliza was part of a chain of defences intended to protect the Old Bridge of Banagher from all sides. The site developed from an earthwork into a fortification with a ditch, walls of cut stone, a drawbridge, an ammunition store and a guardhouse. It included platforms for four guns on revolving rails.

Crank House is an early Georgian, six-bay, two-storey building, built in 1750. Its former uses include a brewery, a malt house established in the early 19th century and a technical school in the early 20th century. The house is home to a tourist office and spaces for cultural activities; confirm the tourist office’s current arrangements before your trip. St. Rynagh’s Church was built in 1825/26, with a bell tower and spire added in 1872. St. Rynagh is associated with a 6th-century religious house that probably stood on the church site.

Swimming and trips on the water

Banagher Open Water Pool officially opened on 23 April 2026, offering locals and visitors a year-round opportunity to swim in open water. The floating open-water pool is 25 metres long and can adapt to fluctuating water levels. As operating arrangements may change, check them before visiting.

Trips on the River Shannon can start in Banagher. River Queen offers a 90-minute trip from Banagher Marina aboard a spacious passenger boat with 50 seats. The skipper provides live commentary during the trip; there is also a fully licensed bar on board. Schedules are seasonal. For planning, check the timetable, current availability and departure arrangements separately. Nearby Meelick Weir was built in the 1840s as part of the Shannon Navigation. Visitors can walk along the riverbank and watch birds there.

More to explore in County Offaly

County Offaly has its own cultural and landscape attractions. The ruins of Clonmacnoise include a cathedral, two round towers, three high crosses, nine churches and more than 700 early Christian grave slabs. At Lough Boora Discovery Park, the Sculpture Park follows a 3.3-kilometre walking and cycling route, with 24 works by Irish and international sculptors along the way. These regional attractions complement the river and architectural history that define Banagher itself.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Shannonbridge, Kinnitty, Toberpatrick, Tullamore, Rhode, Creagh, Clonmacnoise, Birr

For the broader travel guide: County Offaly.