2017 HAS BEEN the year of Irish gin schools in Drogheda and Dublin salons giving out free gin and tonics to get you in the door.

And now the gin cherry has been firmly placed on top of the cake.

Introducing Ireland’s first ever gin cruise - which launches on Lough Derg from Ballina Quay, County Tipperary on April 22

Lough Derg Gin Cruise Lough Derg Gin Cruise

With gin served by West Cork Distillers and Whitley Neill, the cruise will take you out on the water and around the spectacular setting of Lough Derg.

There’s a “gin masterclass” on board, as well as gin tastings and gin cocktails – with the cruise lasting an hour and a half

Ring Of Lough Derg Facebook Ring Of Lough Derg Facebook

Colette Acton runs the new service, and tells DailyEdge.ie that it’s a passion of hers:

Personally I am a huge gin fan and run a local gin club (The Jam Jar Gin Club) once a month in The WasherWoman pub in Killaloe Ballina with Gillian, my partner in all things gin. We also do private gin events.

And it was that love of gin combined with the local scenery that gave her the idea:

We live in a beautiful spot looking at the stunning lake every day where I organise events for the tourist company The Ring of Lough Derg, and it just occurred to me recently while sipping a gin that we need to take this out on to the water.

Good idea.

On Killaloe River Cruises‘ boat the ‘Spirit of Killaloe’, this is every gin lover’s dream

Killaloe River Cruises Killaloe River Cruises

It all costs €45 per person for the cruise. And, don’t worry if you can’t make it this month, there are more planned:

We are busy planning our additional dates at the moment which we will be announcing very shortly.

If the weather holds, Lough Derg is a perfect setting to sit back and sip some fine gin on a boat.

Hold us.

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