A 76.5 million euro investment hopes to transform Ireland's Hidden Heartlands as a key tourism destination.
The Shannon Tourism Master Plan aims to create 140 separate developments to attract tourists to the river, from Cavan to Limerick.
The plans, which are to be environmentally friendly, include new cruising berths in Athlone, and Rooskey, a new activity hub at the Red bridge in Ballymahon and "tranquility zones", which would allow boats to moor away from harbours.
Eanna Rowe of Waterways Ireland who has chaired the group behind the initiative, including local authorities and Fáilte Ireland says developing the towns and villages along the Shannon is key.