
No. 1 Boating Holidays
Together with Le Boat, Emerald Star is the No:1 provider of boating holidays on the beautiful rivers, lakes and canals of Europe and Canada.
They have the world’s largest fleet of self-drive boats and the widest choice of fabulous boating destinations to choose from.
About Emerald Star: With the world’s largest fleet of over 900 self-drive boats, including its newest premier Horizon cruisers, Emerald Star, operated by Le Boat offers the widest choice of fabulous boating destinations in Europe and Canada. Operating in 17 regions across nine countries, their holidays can be whatever guests want them to be, from a full-on action-packed adventure to a slow-paced relaxing chance to unwind. The operator has a fleet of large self-drive cruisers, allowing entire families, and groups of friends, to stay on board and explore their chosen region.

Emerald Star has been helping holidaymakers captain their own self-drive river cruise holidays in Europe for more than 50 years, and 2023 promises to be the best year yet as no experience needed to drive a boat.



You don’t need a special captain’s hat or a license to captain your own boat on a three to seven dayu cruise along the River Shannon as Le Boat’s team explains the rules of the water for your self-drive cruiser, how to moor and navigate the canal locks. And while the scenery is the main attraction, the comfort of the cruiser comes a close second with everything you need for dining alfresco and getting a good night’s sleep. With boats to suit two to 12 people, cruising the Shannon is a unique way to spend time with family and friends.
The River Shannon gives central Ireland it’s unique character. It’s an obvious feature if you study a Shannon River map. At a glance, it’s clear that the waters influence the land. The fishing is superb and golf is extremely popular! As you travel, you’ll stop in quaint villages, why not explore the medieval churches and kick back in the pubs!

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On Your Doorstep
With Grafton Street on the doorstep, the historical Stephen Green’s Park in only a quick hop around the corner. At Grafton Street’s northern end is St Stephen’s Green, one of the loveliest 19th century urban parks in northern Europe, with ducks, flowers and a garden devoted to William Butler Yeats.
Nearby
Close by is Dublin’s key museum quarter, where you step from wide streets into noble storehouses such as the National Museum of Archaeology and History and the National Gallery of Ireland. They’ll swallow a few hours of anyone’s time. Within a 5 to 10-minute walk you you have some of Dublin’s most famous landmarks. Namely Trinity College Museum, National Gallery, National Leprechaun Museum, Viking Museum, Gaiety Theatre. Furthermore, within a 20-minute walk the Guinness Storehouse and 3Arena are there to be enjoyed which is why this is the best located family hotel in Dublin.
Ireland’s No. 1 Family Attraction
Finally, one of Ireland’s leading attractions, Dublin Zoo is only a short trip by car or alternatively you can travel by Luas or Bus. You can take the Luas from Abbey street to Heuston train station and Dublin Zoo is an easy ten minute walk from there. Also the C3 or C4 bus from Westmoreland street to Parkgate street with a similar walking distance to the zoo. Located in Phoenix Park, one of Europe’s largest enclosed public park, you will find plenty more activities for families in the neighbouring grounds such as Phoenix Park Bikes.

Our Editor’s Review – A Mum’s Review
This trip was truly a family adventure with Craig (my husband) our captain and the kids his crew. Before we set off from the base, one of the Le Boat Emerald Star team, Jason, spent at least an hour running through how to operate everything.
We had absolutely no boating experience but these self- drive boats were pretty idiot proof and the training was extremely thorough with every eventuality covered. They even take you for a dummy run and assigned the teenagers roles with the ropes, ensuring they were well practiced and versed before we set out.
This was the easiest holiday we have ever experienced with no agendas or timelines and no need to occupy the kids as the journey becomes the adventure and the water becomes their playground. All that was left for us to do was relax and unwind!
Eileen Kearney, Easy Peazy Family Breaks