Major city · Ireland
Carrick-on-ShannonCora Droma Rúisc
Give Carrick one night if you are driving the Shannon; two nights only if you are hiring a boat or cruising. Otherwise pass through.
Carrick-on-Shannon is County Leitrim's county town, built where the Shannon was once forded and now the busiest cruising base on the river. The town itself is small and walkable in an hour; the reason to stop is the water, the pubs and the fact that it sits on the Dublin–Sligo rail line. Most travellers use it as a single comfortable night between Dublin and Sligo, or as the start of a rented cruiser.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (short days, many places shut)
- Airports
- DUB · SNN
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Ireland is in the EU but not in the Schengen area; it sets its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid for Ireland. Check Irish immigration for your passport.
- Ireland ↗Ireland and the UK form the Common Travel Area, with no routine checks on the land border. Visitors who are not Irish or British must still meet UK rules (including the UK ETA where it applies) to enter Northern Ireland.
- Ireland ↗Driving is on the left; rural roads are narrow with hedges and few passing places.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Carrick-on-Shannon112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Carrick-on-Shannon, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Ireland-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodafone, Three and Eir run the networks; prepaid SIMs (also 48, Tesco Mobile, GoMo) sell in phone shops and newsagents, no registration fuss.Ireland-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe; occasional local 'boil water' notices are posted by Uisce Éireann.Ireland-wide
- TippingRestaurant with table service: 10–15% if service is not included.Ireland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ireland-wide
- SafetyA quiet, safe small town; the real risks are unlit riverbanks after dark, fast-changing Shannon water levels and rural roads with no footpath.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in shopping centres, museums, pubs (as a customer) and many petrol stations; some public toilets charge 50c.Ireland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police, fire, ambulance · 999 police (gardai)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open Sunday afternoons in towns; rural shops and some attractions close in winter (November–March).Ireland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDUB Dublin Airport (Expressway Bus 23 direct from the airport, about 3 h; or bus to Connolly then train).
- Getting aroundThe centre is a 10-minute walk end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course€14–22 (≈ US$17–30)
- BeerPint of stout€5.50–6.50 (≈ US$7–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxicheck€10–14 (≈ US$12–17)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €190 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DUB Dublin Airport (Expressway Bus 23 direct from the airport, about 3 h; or bus to Connolly then train) · SNN Shannon Airport (West coast option; you will need a car or a long bus connection)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jun (13). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Carrick-on-Shannon: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
18 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
15 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
16 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
14 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
14 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
13 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
14 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
15 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
15 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
17 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
17 rd
Dec
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
18 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is a 10-minute walk end to end. Trains and the bus stop are on the south bank, about 1 km from Main St. Local Link Bus 564 reaches Jamestown, Dromod, Mohill, Fenagh and Ballinamore a few times a day. Taxis are available; you need a car or a boat for anything along the river.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Drumshanbo and Arigna Mining Experience
goDoor to door: About 40 min by car
Local Link Bus 567 towards Manorhamilton, or 25 min by car on the R280
Coal-mine tour and the floating boardwalk across Acres Lake on the Shannon Blueway.
Manorhamilton
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 45 min
Local Link Bus 567, about 1 h 40 min via Dromahair, Drumshanbo and Leitrim
Four buses a day; check the last return before committing.
Door to door: About 45 min
Train towards Sligo, about 30 min
Georgian mansion and a ruined abbey; easy rail hop.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Train from Carrick station, about 1 h 15 min
Better as an overnight than a return day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Main St and Bridge St)
Pubs, restaurants and the quay within a 5-minute walk; best for one night without a car.
Quayside and St George's Terrace
Hotels and The Dock; river views, still under 10 minutes on foot to Main St.
Cortober / south bank
Retail park side by the railway station; practical if you arrive by train with bags, 1 km (0.6 mi) from the centre.Retail park side by the railway station; practical if you arrive by train with bags, 0.6 mi (1 km) from the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €55–85 (≈ US$65–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–140 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × €140 | €140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €110 | €220 |
| Train Dublin Connolly to Carrick, one way2 × €25 · check | €50 |
| Expressway Bus 23 from Dublin Airport, one way2 × €20 · check | €40 |
| One-hour daytime river cruise2 × €15 · check | €30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €51 |
| Trip total≈ €281 per person per day, bed included | €561≈ US$700 |
2026 estimate in euro; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | €14–22 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Pint of stout | €5.50–6.50 (≈ US$7–8) |
| 5 km taxicheck | €10–14 (≈ US$12–17) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €10–20 (≈ US$12–25) |
| One-hour river cruisecheck | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Trains and buses stop on the south bank, not in the town centre: allow 15 minutes to walk to a hotel with bags.
- Rural buses run a few times a day and often not on Sundays; check the last return before you go out.
- Boat hire needs no licence but is weather-dependent; the Shannon can rise and close sections after heavy rain.
- Many restaurants stop serving by 21:00 and several close Monday and Tuesday: book ahead in summer.Many restaurants stop serving by 9:00 PM and several close Monday and Tuesday: book ahead in summer.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 112
- Police (Gardai)
- 999
Pocket card
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Carrick-on-ShannonCora Droma Rúisc
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chuig an seoladh seo, le do thoilTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance112
- Police (Gardai)999
Embassy
No embassies in Carrick-on-Shannon; the US embassy and most others are in Dublin. The UK has a consulate in Dublin.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Dublin Connolly to Carrick: about €15–30 (≈ US$18–35) advance online, 2 h 20 min (check)
- Expressway Bus 23 from Dublin Airport: about €15–25 (≈ US$18–30), 3 h (check)
- Taxi station to Main St: €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) (check)
Say or show
- Dia duit — Hello (jeea gwit)
- Go raibh maith agat — Thank you (guh rev mah agut)
- Le do thoil — Please (leh duh hull)
- Sláinte — Cheers (slawn-cha)
- Cá bhfuil an leithreas? — Where is the toilet? (kaw will un leh-rass)
- Cé mhéad é? — How much is it? (kay vade ay)
112 and 999 both work; 112 is the EU-wide number.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Carrick-on-Shannon. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (short days, many places shut) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DUB: last Expressway Bus 23 and last train from Connolly field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Main St and Bridge St, the quay and The Dock, Cortober and the station.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (The Dock, Costello's Memorial Chapel, Arigna Mining Experience) and eat pages with last orders.
- Boat-hire fixture: licence rules, one-way rentals and weather cancellations so the cruising rung can go green.
Sources
- officialCarrick-on-Shannon official town site
- officialIrish Rail
- officialBus Éireann
- officialWaterways Ireland — Shannon Navigation
- secondaryWikivoyage: Carrick-on-Shannon, revision 5292303 (CC BY-SA 4.0)