The twin villages of Lanesborough and Ballyleague sit on opposite banks of the River Shannon at the northern tip of Lough Ree, with Lanesborough on the County Longford (east) side and Ballyleague on the County Roscommon (west) side.

Both sides of the bridge offer boat-launching facilities: a small harbour above the bridge on the Ballyleague side and another below the bridge on the Lanesborough side accommodate small boats, jet skis, and canoes or kayaks.

A public marina built by Waterways Ireland on the western Shannon bank at Lanesborough includes a slipway suitable for launching boats, jet skis, and paddle craft.

The area is a well-known stop for Shannon cruisers and is particularly noted for pike and coarse fishing.