Jean's Journal: Lough Ree's eco-tourism potentialby Jean FarrellI came across a lovely travel programme on RTE 2, lately. Their very names tell their stories – Saint’s Island, Nun’s Island, Friar’s Island and Quaker’s Island (on which the famous Queen Maeve of Connaught was killed.) During that same era many monks built monasteries and chapels on the islands of Lough Ree. I am not, for one moment, suggesting that gangs of stag parties (armed with metal detectors) descend on the precious islands of Lough Ree. To escape to an island on Lough Ree, alone, surrounded by ancient history and sheer beauty, would make anyone’s soul sing.

Source: Irish Independent February 24, 2026 14:34 UTC