Located in the heart of Northern Ireland, Lough Neagh is the largest lake in the British Isles, covering 388 square kilometres. Five counties; Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down and Tyrone have shores on Lough Neagh and six rivers flow into it, while the Lower Bann River flows northward from the lake. Many local people make a living from Lough Neagh, from activities such as fishing, sand extraction and the tourism industry. The Lough even has its own place in Irish mythology, closely associated with “The Legend of Fionn Mac Cumhaill”. Lough Neagh is also very popular in terms of recreation, with many activities taking place regularly such as fishing, boating, canoeing, water-skiing, jet skiing, etc. Fishing is particularly popular with a wide variety of fish including trout, bream, rudd, roach, perch and pike.

Covering a total area of 200 square kilometres, Lough Corrib is the second largest lake in Ireland. It is located in the West of Ireland in County Galway and County Mayo and drains into the Corrib River which flows southward from Lough Corrib through Galway City. Set against the beautiful Connemara countryside, Lough Corrib is particularly noted for its abundance of wildlife such as otters, stoats, frogs, hawks, etc, and is excellent for bird-watching. Lough Derg is the third major lake on the river Shannon and is located between counties Clare, Galway and Tipperary, all of which have shores on this lake. The lake itself covers 118 square kilometres and would be considered quite a long lake, measuring just less than 40 kilometers in length. It should not be confused with Lough Derg in County Donegal, which is better known as a pilgrimage site. These include scuba-diving, fishing and numerous types of boating.

Lough Ree, second largest of the three major lakes on the River Shannon, is located in the Irish midlands and forms part of the border between counties Roscommon, Westmeath and Longford. The lake serves as a throughway for cruising on the long River Shannon and has an area of 105 kilometres, the same size as Lough Erne Lower. Lough Ree has numerous islands, some of which are significant in Irish legend. For example, the island of Inchcleraun is believed to have been the place where Queen Maeve was killed by her nephew Furbaide. Lough Ree Yacht Club is quite well known, claiming to be one of the oldest yacht clubs in the world, dating back to the year 1770, when it was founded. Other popular sports on Lough Ree include angling and power-boating.

The drivers in Ireland are typically polite and the traffic is more on the lighter side than being heavy. Like the rest of Britain, you drive on the left side of the road. The Irish roads tend to be very narrow but well maintained. They’re stonewalled lined or lined by hedges and with slower speed limits, you’ll feel like you’re zooming by everything. Many times, you’ll have to stop to let the traffic that’s oncoming pass you. Be sure to check for convex mirrors that have been placed in the bushes and hedges so that you can check for cross traffic. Do keep in mind that sometimes taking a car is slower than you would think as many highways run directly through the middle of towns.

Traveling by train is a good way to see the major villages including Waterford, Galway, and Cork. Those who backpack and bike may find taking the train useful. If you’re trying to go from the west side of Ireland to Dublin, then traveling by train by be your quickest bet as even divided highways run smack dab in center of towns. However, taking the train around Ireland will limit you as their are many places such as Newgrange, Ring of Dingle, The Giants Causeway, and many rural areas in Ireland that the train cannot get you to. Many people combine train travel with bus and/or ferry. Touring Ireland by Bus

Touring by bus is very affordable. There is a huge variety of escorted bus tours with different themes and locations. Here are just a few: a “taste of Ireland” type tour where you get a tidbit of this area and that area including the foods of that location, an Irish heritage type of tour where you get to experience the deep traditions of Ireland the way it was, and a bus tour that focuses on the Irish legends and traditions.

There’s no truer way to experience an area than to delve right into it and walking and/or biking will grant you this. Riding in a car, bus, or train seems to be more like watching the country through a glass window until you step out into it during stops. However, walking and biking gives you a true sense of everything from the atmosphere around you to the bumps and turns of the the landscaping beneath you. Along with meeting people and stopping and starting at your own pace as well as getting some serious exercise, touring Ireland in these ways can be great fun.