Viking Tours
Viking Tours
4.5
00:00 - 23:59
Monday
00:00 - 23:59
Tuesday
00:00 - 23:59
Wednesday
00:00 - 23:59
Thursday
00:00 - 23:59
Friday
00:00 - 23:59
Saturday
00:00 - 23:59
Sunday
00:00 - 23:59
Full view
About
Step back 1,200 years and join the Vikings on a replica Viking Ship. Cruise up the River Shannon to Lough Ree or down river to the monastic settlement and round towers of Clonmacnoise whilst hearing live commentary on Viking hoards, the beauty of the river, its flora, fauna, bird and fish life. Fun and excitement for all the family. #IrelandsHiddenHeartlands
Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
796 reviews
Excellent
623
Very good
135
Average
24
Poor
4
Terrible
10
Mr P
County Cork, Ireland48 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
Viking Mike and his team provide a lovely way to get back/from The Hudson Bay and Athlone.
Viking Mike provides commentary with knowlege of history, wildlife and the building/structures at the right level so you also get time to enjoy the beauty as you meander along on your journey.
The boat is spacious and has all amenities as well as complimentary tea and coffee. There are plenty of seats and areas to stand and take in the views as well as covers if it does rain.
A great trip which is very fairly priced.
Viking Mike provides commentary with knowlege of history, wildlife and the building/structures at the right level so you also get time to enjoy the beauty as you meander along on your journey.
The boat is spacious and has all amenities as well as complimentary tea and coffee. There are plenty of seats and areas to stand and take in the views as well as covers if it does rain.
A great trip which is very fairly priced.
Written 29 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karl E
1 contribution
Aug 2020 • Family
Excellent tour. Hopped on in Athlone. The boat takes you up river and out across the lake to Hudson Bay and back. The kids loved it, we were lucky enough to sit up front. The views of the lake and river banks are spectacular, very interesting tour, loads of information on the surrounding areas. Kids loved all the names of the Vikings and really enjoyed the trip on the river.
Written 19 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelnWithKidz
100 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
We were searching for a kid-friendly activity near Athlone to do with our friends and their children, and we came across the Viking Tour. We ended up spending an enjoyable 1.5 hours cruising along the Shannon River.
Our kids (ages 4 through 9) enjoyed searching for wildlife along the river, pretending to be Vikings, standing near the bow, and they even got to steer the boat. Although they had a good time, I do wish they had more to keep the kids’ interest. We adults enjoyed our beverages while admiring the beautiful scenery. There was pre-recorded audio that described the history and sites, but it was difficult to hear.
The boat had covered and open areas. There was a small restroom aboard the boat, as well as a galley bar that sold beer, wine, cocktails, and lights snacks, all at a reasonable price. We also purchased Viking toy shields and swords from there for the kids.
Our kids (ages 4 through 9) enjoyed searching for wildlife along the river, pretending to be Vikings, standing near the bow, and they even got to steer the boat. Although they had a good time, I do wish they had more to keep the kids’ interest. We adults enjoyed our beverages while admiring the beautiful scenery. There was pre-recorded audio that described the history and sites, but it was difficult to hear.
The boat had covered and open areas. There was a small restroom aboard the boat, as well as a galley bar that sold beer, wine, cocktails, and lights snacks, all at a reasonable price. We also purchased Viking toy shields and swords from there for the kids.
Written 29 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline M
Sallins, Ireland168 contributions
Sept 2020
We had the pleasure of doing this fabulous boat trip yesterday with Mike & George . As a tour guide myself I’ve often seen the boat on the river as we pass through Athlone so I had wanted to do this tour for quite a while and yesterday the weather conditions were just fabulous. Mike gave us a super tour with lots of interesting bits of history , he has a voice I would listen to all day , George looked after all the passengers on board , lovely complimentary tea/coffee or if you like an Irish coffee of a Baileys coffee I hear he is a dab hand at making those too :)
All in all we had a super trip and we would highly recommend this tour if you’re in the Athlone area
All in all we had a super trip and we would highly recommend this tour if you’re in the Athlone area
Written 28 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
irish61
Wexford, Ireland190 contributions
Sept 2020 • Friends
This is a fabulous little trip. George and mike looked after us very well. Complimentary tea and coffee or a lovely little galley bar., very well stocked. The toilet was immaculate- wouldn’t see better in a five star hotel! It’s 1 hour 20 mins up the Shannon but I would recommend getting one sailing and disembark at the Hodson bay hotel for lunch or a drink and taking the next one back a couple of hours later. €15 return, what great value.
Written 20 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen M
District of Columbia245 contributions
Jun 2023
We wanted to do the tour to the south of Athlone, to Clonmacnoise, but it wasn't scheduled on the one day we could visit, so instead we did the tour on the same boat to the north, into Lough Ree. It did not disappoint. The scenery was beautiful and the movement of the boat through it created a serene experience. The captain provided an informative and thought- provoking narration. His mate provided blankets we could tuck around us while we were seated on deck since there was a surprising amount of wind once we passed from the river into the lake. We had a good time.
Written 5 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vincent R
Mullingar, Ireland2 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
We took the trip from Hodson Bay on 14th August 2020. The trip was very enjoyable and informative. Both Viking Mike and Viking George were funny, friendly and safety conscious. They even returned, having cast off, to pick up a lady who was late.. where else would you get it!! Tea and coffee was complimentary from the well stocked galley. I would highly recommend Viking Tours as it gives you a glimpse into the beauty of the Shannon and its importance in history.
Written 15 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DympnaBrayIreland
Bray Ireland99 contributions
Jun 2021
Last Thursday myself and some friends travelled with Mike to Clonmacnoise on his lovely viking ship. What a wonderful experience. The majestic Shannon opened up in front of us with swallows swooping, swans drifting along the shore and herons wading. Then in the distance there was Clonmacnoise. We spent a lovely afternoon visiting and then had a return trip to Athlone. Mike and his crew were terrific with lots of information about the area and there was even complimentary tea and coffee available on board. But I treated myself to a delicious Baileys coffee :) A marvellous way to spend a half day in the midlands. Very highly recommnded
Written 19 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SnowHal
49 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
I was very disappointed to have booked a trip that did not adhere to COVID restrictions. Odd few wearing masks, no social distancing possible as they packed the boat full.
I have been on two other boat trips elsewhere in Ireland since Covid restrictions were introduced and both had limited numbers on board to allow groups to distance from each other.
It very unfair when you have promised a boat trip to small children and dont feel safe on it. We worn our masks throughout and did not go down to galley for tea.
Will not be returning as a result.
I have been on two other boat trips elsewhere in Ireland since Covid restrictions were introduced and both had limited numbers on board to allow groups to distance from each other.
It very unfair when you have promised a boat trip to small children and dont feel safe on it. We worn our masks throughout and did not go down to galley for tea.
Will not be returning as a result.
Written 12 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joanne W
3 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
On Saturday 14th August myself and my wife booked a trip down the River Shannon. We thought we had booked it with the Viking tours but unfortunately it was with a different company which we had paid beforehand. Anyway we got on the Viking boat at the Hodson Bay Hotel and after talking to Michael the captain we discovered we were on the wrong boat! Michael was extremely helpful and didn’t charge us for the trip as we had made a genuine mistake and had paid for another boat trip. George the crew member was so courteous and helpful and made us lovely cocktails. A really pleasant and enjoyable experience and would highly recommend the Viking Tours to anyone!
Leslie & Sandra
Leslie & Sandra
Written 15 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi how much is the viking tour I would love to do it with my daughter we're goi g to Hudson Bay the 19 of June do we have to book it
Written 9 June 2019
Hi Navigate40888227140, the Lough Ree/Hodson Bay Cruise is €15 per adult and €7 per child. No need to book; check the website for the latest sailing times. You can buy your tickets onboard the ship.
Written 27 June 2020
Hello! I took a group of college students to Athlone and we enjoyed your cruise very much (May 2017). I’m bringing another group (20 of us) to Ireland this May and would like to visit Clonmacnoise for 3 or so hours (take picnic perhaps). Would a Viking Cruise be a good way to see Clonmacnoise and allow us a few hours there? If so, What days and times does your cruise take this route? Jeff
Written 11 October 2018
Hi Jeff, this is possible! Please send an email to vikingmike to arrange the booking.
vikingmike @ vikingtoursireland . ie
Written 27 June 2020
For the Lough Ree Cruise that is a family ticket plus 3 children. The total price would be €66
Written 27 June 2020
When I check the website for Viking Tours from Athlone to Clonmacnoise, it appears they do NOT have daily excursions. Any help here on any other excursions??
Written 7 May 2018
Hi Terry, during the sailing season we only operate the Lough Ree Cruise daily.
Written 27 June 2020
Are u doing dinner cruises on sat 10th June ...how much for 2 people and what's on the menu ? Tks
Written 8 June 2017
Hi Toni, currently we do not do dinner cruises
Written 27 June 2020
Can you tell me the cost in Aus dollars please, and was the whole trip (there & back 1 hour+). Also do you get off at Clonmacnoise? Is that where this monument or what ever it was, is?
Written 9 October 2015
It goes from Athlone to the Hodson Bay Hotel - stops there to pick up passengers and then goes back into Athlone. No stop at Clonmacnoise. 10 Euro per adult / 5 per kid or 30 for family (around 45 Aus $)
Written 9 October 2015
How much for 2 adults and how long does it take please
Written 21 May 2015
Hi Angie, the Lough Ree Cruise is 75 minutes and it is €15 per adult.
Written 27 June 2020
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