Banagher is a small town on the River Shannon in County Offaly, where the river was shallow enough to ford and awkward enough for navigation to matter. The town grew as an inland port after the Grand Canal linked this part of the Shannon system with Dublin.
The waterways are still the main reason to come. Banagher, Shannon Harbour, and Shannonbridge sit in a compact river landscape of locks, bridges, quays, and old defensive sites. You need wheels or a boat to make the most of it, but the rewards are close together: Clononey Castle, Clonfert Cathedral, Meelick's old church and lock, and the broad Shannon itself.
This is not a big-ticket town. It is a good stop if you are already crossing the Midlands, cruising the river, or looking for a quieter base near Clonmacnoise without staying in Athlone.