Visiting County Leitrim? This part of the Irish province of Connacht has a number of attractions that you won’t want to miss. Plus some interesting sights that are a bit off the beaten path. So why not take your time and spend a day or two in Leitrim when visiting Ireland? Here are some ideas to make it worth your while …
Lake and Island (and Castle)
Another attraction shared by Sligo and Leitrim is Lough Gill, also famous for its connections to Yeats and home to the ‘Isle of Inisfree’. Only the eastern end of the lake is within Leitrim’s borders, but the advantage certainly lies in the less famous country: Parke Castle, a rather impressive fortress and home on the north shore, is located within Leitrim. And also the best point to start a boat tour on the lake.
Romantic Waterfall
Although often claimed by neighboring Sligo, Glencar Waterfall (with its Yeats connections) is actually located in County Leitrim. Here a small stream cascades down and plunges from the Dartry Mountains to Glencar Lough. A small parking lot west of the royal town of Glencar is the best place to stop, then cross the road and head to the lightly wooded area north of the lakefront. Niagara is not, but it is certainly a romantic and evocative place. Unless it is a sunny summer weekend, in which case it will most likely be crowded. As for the Sligo claim … part of Glencar Lough is in Sligo, but Glencar Waterfall and the creek that feeds it are not.
Come to the Franciscans
The (ruined) Franciscan convent of Creevelea, near the village of Dromahair, may be the best ancient monument in County Leitrim, but it is rarely visited. Maybe the slightly fiddly way of doing it is the main reason, be it for unmarked tracks through the back or past the village, along the creek and uphill. The interesting remains are certainly worth it, but they play hard to come by with the occasional visitor.
Dip your rod
Just south of Ballinamore, dozens of lakes invite the keen angler to try their luck. This is a great fishing country and if you are looking to get away from the hectic life… well, here you can. Many of the lakes are part of the old canal system between Ballinamore and Ballyconnell, today the Shannon-Erne Canal, which connects these two navigation foci.
Spend a day at Carrick-on-Shannon
At first glance, the small county town doesn’t have much to recommend it… except large marinas and adjacent hotels. But if you walk up the busy main street, you will find the curious Costello Chapel (perhaps the smallest church in Ireland and more crypt than anything else), plus dozens of small, often quaint and old-fashioned shops. Here you can also cruise the Shannon without having to be careful – afternoon and evening cruises start from the moorings on a regular basis.
By the way, if you’re looking for supplies, Carrick-on-Shannon is your best option in County Leitrim. Many major supermarkets are located on the N4, just north and south of the city.
Cruise on Lough Allen
Lough Allen (of which the majority belongs to County Leitrim, although the southwest corner is Roscommon territory) is perhaps one of the most underrated attractions for those boating on Shannon and Erne. Accessible via the narrow upper part of Shannon north of Carrick-on-Shannon (the busiest roads of Shannon-Erne-Waterway branch into the city of Leitrim), this large lake, accessible only by smaller boats, offers quiet and unspoilt corners. Being quite large, it also offers a challenge in windy conditions! However, keep in mind that Lough Allen has few services, with only two ports, Cleghran More and Spencer Harbor.
Traditional music in County Leitrim
If you want some traditional entertainment in the evening, you can’t go wrong with hitting a pub and listening to a session. Anderson’s Thatch Pub in Carrick has them on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, Paddy Mac’s in Drumshanbo on Friday.
Continue… across the borders of Leitrim
Had enough of County Leitrim? Then jump to neighboring counties:
- County Sligo
- County Roscommon
- Longford County
- Cavan County
- County Fermanagh
- County Donegal
More information about the county of Leitrim and the province of Connacht
- County Leitrim Articles
- The province of Connacht
- The best of Connacht
