Things to do in Killaloe, County Clare, Ireland

Things to do in Killaloe and Ballina – Between the tourist hot spots of Dublin & Killarney is the scenic town of Killaloe on the banks of Lough Dearg. It makes an authentic pitstop, and we visit regularly.

[FYI Killaloe is in Co Clare, and just over the river is Ballina in Co Tipperary, and They are super close, so don’t let the two separate districts fool you.]

Cruise the River Shannon & Lough Dearg – Things to Do in Killaloe

Such a chilled experience with Killaloe River Cruises, cruising down the waterway (spotting some INCREDIBLE houses) on a passenger boat, with two decks offering indoor and outdoor seating. The bar serves up soft drinks and alcohol, alongside hot chocolates and Irish coffee. A commentary informs you of the sights and history along the way. A definite highlight; once the boat is in more open water, children are allowed to ‘captain’ and steer the vessel. They thought they were the business!

The cruise lasts one hour, operates 1 March – 1 November. There’s easy parking near the central departure point in Ballina, at Ballina Quay. The lough is so sheltered the trip guarantees no motion sickness. There are toilets on board, and dogs are welcome. And when you disembark, Flanagan’s bar, with its outdoor seating, can be a welcoming sight!

Combine a Guided Cycling Tour with Boat Trip here…

Follow the Riverside Walk

You can follow a 2.5 mile Riverside Walk with info boards along the way. Or simply follow your nose, by walking along the river, crossing the two bridges (one at either end of town) in a loop, hiking a small circle round Killaloe and Ballina.

As well as an attractive natural setting, the colourful eclectic houses are appealing too. Also be sure to admire the boats in the marina – my husband can spend ages doing this 🙂

Two Mile Gate Lakeside Park – Things to do in Killaloe

FREE We loved being taken here, well the kids did! They had a riot jumping off the pier into the cold water of Carrowgar Bay without a care in the world. I stayed dry! Expect easy parking (you’ll need a car to get here), but there are no facilities or life guards, just a beautiful natural setting and great scenery.

West Lake Aqua Park – Things to do in Killaloe

If you prefer something more organised, next to the pier is the West Lake Aqua Park. Expect supervised inflatable obstacle-course fun! Apparently, it’s Ireland’s largest water park.

Wilde Irish Chocolate

For those with a sweet tooth, head twenty minutes out of town to Wilde Irish Chocolate. Visit the chocolate factory, book a visit or pick up some treats in the shop.

Ballina Outdoor Swimming Pool

On the Ballina side of the river is a fantastic heated outdoor swimming pool. The boys loved it, we visited on a very quiet day and got the pool to ourselves. The pool is council run and open June to August (weather permitting). Prices per session are around €3 for children, €5.50 for adults, and a spectator/non swimmer is approximately €1.50. The only downside is you can’t prebook or prepay, simply queue for each session on a ‘first come first served’ basis, so get there early on sunny days or weekends.

Ballina Football Pitch and Playground

Next to the heated outdoor pool is an enclosed football pitch and children’s playground, ideal for youngsters to run off steam or boot a ball around.

Snacks & Cocktails

We don’t dine out much in Killaloe or Ballina, but I know you can get great cocktails in the darkly atmospheric interiors of Goosers, which also dishes up traditional and modern food. We also like to dip into Scoops for ice cream, both take-away or sit in.

Where to Stay

A winner is the Lakeside Hotel, gloriously situated on the River Shannon on the Ballina side of the river. This hotel boasts a pool, hot tub and waterslide too.

I hope this brief guide helps you make the most of both Killaloe and Ballina.