About Hidden
Heartlands Tours
Hidden Heartlands Tours was created to offer something different — a quieter, more personal way to explore Ireland’s inland waterways.
Based in Athlone, we specialise in luxury small-group boat tours and private water taxi services on the River Shannon and Lough Ree. Every journey is designed to help guests slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience the rich history and beauty of the Irish landscape from a unique perspective — the water.
Our tours are entirely private, designed for small groups of up to five people, and guided by someone who knows the river not just as a route, but as a way of life. Whether you’re heading to the monastic site of Clonmacnoise, drifting between the islands of Lough Ree, or simply travelling across the lake in our water taxi, we aim to make the journey as memorable as the destination.
This is travel at its most peaceful — immersive, unhurried, and deeply rooted in place.
Meet Your Guide,
Pearse Connell
I’m Pearse Connell, the founder and guide behind Hidden Heartlands Tours. I was born in Athlone, just steps from the River Shannon, and have spent my life exploring these waters — sailing, fishing, camping, and uncovering the stories held in their banks and islands.
From an early age, the river was both playground and classroom. It taught me about wildlife, heritage, and the quiet magic of Ireland’s midlands — knowledge I now share with guests from around the world.
Professionally, I hold a Boat Skipper’s Licence and am a Bord Fáilte accredited tour guide, specialising in Irish history, culture, and landscape. I’ve also worked for over 20 years in tourism and private transport as a qualified limousine driver, and I’m a certified First Responder for both land and water, with training renewed regularly.
My goal is to offer more than a sightseeing tour. I want every guest to leave with a deeper sense of place, a connection to the river, and a memory that stays with them long after they’ve left the boat.
Our Tours
4 Hour Tour
Boat Tour
to Clonmacnoise
Cruise down the River Shannon on a four-hour journey to the iconic monastic site of Clonmacnoise.
2 Hour Tour
Boat Tour
of Lough Ree
A 2 hour scenic escape exploring the majestic islands of Lough Ree, rich with wildlife and folklore.