River Bann Cruise

We met at the Dunsilly Hotel near Antrim and drove in convoy to the quaint Lock Keepers Cottage in Toome where we parked up for the afternoon

The river was looking splendid after the previous days heavy rain and we were helped on board by the welcoming crew James, Joan and Jessica. After a brief safety message we cast off for what was to be a very memorable journey.

With Jessica at the wheel we passed the eel fishery were James told of its demise due to pollution. We passed by numerous smaller fishing boats all enjoying the afternoon fishing for that record specimen pike.

As we entered Lough Beg we rounded Church Island, a protected nature reserve which was the site of an early monastic settlement and where now stands a medieval church.

Downstream to Newferry passing the home of water sports and on to Portglenone where we tied up at the marina for a short break.

From here we headed back upstream as the clouds departed revealing the warm summer sunshine, spotting many varieties of birds on our 9 miles of waterway.

We thanked our crew and promised to return soon getting a group photo before returning to the hotel for our evening meal

All in all a great days fun in very different surroundings