Get in touch with the real Ireland on a visit to Leitrim

Rural charm, varied landscape and a warm welcome

It may have the smallest population in Ireland but Leitrim certainly punches above its weight in terms of beautiful rural landscapes, picturesque rivers and lakes, great visitor attractions and a welcoming people.

With a landscape that extends from the Shannon River Basin to the Atlantic Ocean, County Leitrim offers many opportunities for a unique holiday experience.

You will be fascinated by its diversity and charm. With the smallest population of all counties in Ireland, Leitrim is an ideal location to sample the country's unspoilt landscape. Add in excellent natural amenities and facilities to suit different interests and you have a very attractive mix.

The meandering River Shannon, the recently opened Shannon-Erne Waterway and the many lakes dotted through the county make for wonderful watersports, from angling to cruising.

You will find the real Ireland here, an Ireland of rural charm and simplicity so lovingly brought to life in the writings of the recently deceased author, John McGahern, who lived for many years in the county. Get in touch with the pulse of the Irish people as you amble through the narrow streets of the county towns or explore the rural countryside.

Enjoy the fine scenery and idyllic views of the Atlantic Ocean around the Tullaghan area, or more inland in places like the North Leitrim Glens and the shores of Lough Allen and Lough Melvin. No wonder the great poet, WB Yeats was so inspired by its appeal, with the Glencar Waterfall in the north of the county being immortalized by him in verse.

There's much to see and do here. Leitrim is a great county for Irish traditional music. Get a flavour of these great traditions in the many cosy pubs, or at a number of local festivals held each year.

Music is not the only tradition held dearly by Leitrim people. Why not drop along to one of the many craft and organic produce outlets in the county and experience Irish creativity and craftwork at its best?

As you traverse this area, which reflects everything that is special about rural Ireland, don't forget to check out the great history and heritage of the place. There are many historical events and people to find out about, and an abundance of archaeological remains to be discovered.

Why wait any longer - Leitrim, with its unspoilt charm and welcoming people, beckons!

THE HIGHLIGHTS

Take a cruise on the river
The well-developed Shannon-Erne Waterway offers a wonderful natural corridor through Leitrim. What an opportunity to see the wonderful river vistas and beauty of the Irish countryside as you steer your boat along the 63kms of sedate waters. From your unrivalled perch, marvel at the unspoiled landscapes all around you.

Re-opened in 1994 after a major reconstruction project, the Waterway links the 215km stretch of navigable water on the vast River Shannon with the second great waterway on the island, the 84km-long Erne system.

In Leitrim, you have access to the largest fleet of pleasure cruising craft and barges in the North-West of Ireland. A major marina at the charming county town of Carrick-on-Shannon and another at Ballinamore on the Shannon-Erne system offer excellent facilites.

View Glencar Waterfall
Find out why the great Irish poet and Nobel Prizewinner, WB Yeats was so struck by Glencar Waterfall that he immortalized it in one of his poems, 'The Stolen Child'. Drop along to see the impressive 15m high waterfall located near Glencar Lake just outside Manorhamilton. Regarded as one of the most romantic spots in Ireland, the waterfall that cascades from a rocky headland is, obviously, particularly dramatic after a heavy fall of rain! Enjoy a short woodland walk leading to it, and picnic facilities are also provided.

See the second smallest chapel in the world!
For a truly intimate experience, visit the famous tiny Costello Chapel in Carrick-on-Shannon. Back in 1877, local rich merchant, Edward Costello, commissioned this remarkable chapel in his wife's memory. Look in wonder at its size - just 4.9m long, 3.6m wide and 9.1m high!

Experience the magic of The Lake Isle of Inishfree
No visit to the North-West of Ireland would be complete without visiting the world-renowned Lake Isle of Inishfree, made famous by the iconic poem of the same name penned by the great Irish poet, WB Yeats. Catch the waterbus that leaves for the island from Parke's Castle at Fivemilebourne on the shores of picturesque Lough Gill, and experience the inspirational spot for yourself. On the way, enjoy an extra bonus - listen to atmospheric live poetry on board!

Cast a line
With a great variety of excellent lakes and rivers on your doorstep, Leitrim is a great location to try your hand with the rod and line. Its prowess in this field has been acknowledged by the many organisers who have chosen its waters as the venue for national and international angling competitions.

PLACES TO VISIT

Carrick-on-Shannon
Aside from being the county town, this is the cruising capital of Ireland. As the name suggests, it is situated on the lordly River Shannon and boasts a beautiful modern marina. Known locally as Carrick, it is also widely acknowledged as an angler's paradise and there are no fewer than 41 lakes within a 10km radius of the town!

There is a wide range of quality restaurants, accommodation, night-time entertainment and high street shops. Visitors are assured of a warm welcome and an enjoyable stay in this picturesque town.

Dromahair
A very attractive village on the banks of the River Bonet near its entry point to picturesque Lough Gill, Dromahair means 'Ridge of the Two Demons' in Irish. Once home to the O'Rourke clan of Breffni, it has an interesting history and many buildings of architectural interest. The Old Hall (dating from 1626) stands on the site of the former Breffni Castle while across the river are the ruins of Creevylea Abbey, which was built in 1508.

Drumshanbo
This pretty town is situated on Lough Allen, between the slopes of Sliabh an Iarann and the Arigna Mountains. The name means 'the bridge of the old hut'. Drumshanbo is a very ancient place, which can trace its history back to pre-historic times when cave dwellings were located around Lough Allen. You can find out about its eventful past, including its prominence as a centre for the iron industry, by following a town trail.

Dromod
Dromod (meaning 'the ridge') is a noted fishing village located on the River Shannon, and on Loughs Bofin and Boderg. Enjoy lovely harbour views here - this is a 'Tidy Towns' winner, and is very popular with cruiser traffic. Watch out for the Bog Oak water feature in the centre of the village, entitled 'The Weeping Tree'. This was made by a local craftsman from a piece of bog oak which was found nearby.

Ballinamore
Ballinamore, meaning the 'mouth of the big ford', got its name from when it was the main crossing point on the Yellow River. This later became the Ballinamore/Ballyconnell canal, more recently developed as the Shannon-Erne Waterway. An ideal base for coarse angling or cruising on the waterway, Ballinamore also has a golf course. Explore the rich history of the town, which dates back to the early 17th century. Look out for the old Courthouse, built in the 1830s, which houses Leitrim County Library, with a Genealogy Centre located nearby.

LOTS TO DO

With an idyllic rural countryside and great natural amenities, Leitrim offers much scope for activity and pleasurable pursuits. These include:

Take your pick from a wide choice of watersports options. With the Shannon-Erne Waterway running through the county, numerous lakes and rivers crisscrossing the area, and the Atlantic waves lapping its north-western shores, you have great variety on offer. Coarse fishing (for species from tench to pike) and game angling (from wild salmon to brown trout) are excellent. Marinas at Carrick-on-Shannon and Ballinamore offer great opportunities to steer your own boat.

Very reasonably priced golfing can be had at courses such as Carrick-on-Shannon and Ballinamore.

If you fancy exploring on two pedals, there are two very popular cycling trails going through the county. The mapped and signposted Kingfisher Cycle Trail and the Tour de Humbert Cycling Trail offer a great way to see the beautiful countryside on quiet roads. The de Humbert trail, which runs through centres like Dromahair, Drumkeeran, Drumshanbo and Garvagh, follows the route taken by the French General Humbert in 1798 from his landing in Ireland at Killala, Co. Mayo to his defeat in Co. Longford.

You will be spoilt choice when it comes to walking trails in Co. Leitrim. In almost all corners of the county you will find excellent routes that you can follow with ease. These range from town trails to longer routes such as the Miners' Way and Historical Trail (62kms) that also encompasses neighbouring counties, and the Leitrim Way (48kms).

Find peace and quiet in Forest Parks, such as around Glencar Waterfall and at Derrycarne Woods.

ATTRACTIONS TO SEE

Parke's Castle
Visit this restored Plantation castle dating from the early 17th century to get a special insight into the history of the area and marvel at the beautiful scenery. Don't forget to watch out for the fine Irish oak and traditional craft skills used in the restoration. The castle is picturesquely situated on the shores of Lough Gill and was once the home of Robert Parke and his family.

Keep an eye out also for evidence of an earlier 16th century Tower House structure, once owned by Sir Brian O'Rourke, in the courtyard grounds as well as a blacksmith's forge.

Glenview Folk Museum
The private collection of over 4,000 antique, historical and novel items dating from pre-Famine Ireland on show at the Glenview Folk Museum will fascinate you. The owner, Brian Kennedy will take you on a magical tour of the impressive array of items, including farmyard equipment and agricultural machinery. See also a reconstructed street scene, with shops and a pub, all stocked and equipped as they would have existed in the past.

Take a steam train ride!
What a treat! Travel on a Victorian steam train journey as you catch the Cavan and Leitrim Narrow Gauge Railway. This railway line ran commercially from 1887 to 1959 and part of the line has now been restored. You can enjoy this special experience near the village of Dromod, and workshops, guided tours of engine sheds and railway shop are also available.

Go healthy!
It's hard to imagine a more tranquil and health-giving setting. Overlooking the beauty of Lough Nahoo in the hills of the North Leitrim Glens, Ard Nahoo Health Farm and Day Centre is the ideal refuge from the stresses and strains of everyday life. You can relax and enjoy a range of holistic treatments over different time periods here while courses and workshops are also held throughout the year.

The magic of crystal
The craft of crystal glass cutting is always fascinating and visitors can get a great insight into this at Leitrim Crystal in Carrick-on-Shannon. Master glasscutter, Ken Cunningham has 28 years experience of the craft; watch him design, cut and engrave the glass during a visit.

HOT TIPS

For an outing with a difference, why not head to Swan Island Animal Farm? What a great location for young and old - with over 50 different animals in tranquil surroundings alongside Garadice Lake on the Shannon-Erne Waterway. And if you're on a cruise of the waterway, there's a floating jetty on the farm to ensure secure and easy mooring. Don't forget also to check out Davy's Cottage Restaurant at the farm which dates back 200 years.

A must for all angling fans - check out the River Drowse at Tullaghan, which is famous for commonly producing the first salmon of the season. The river drains Lough Melvin and is 8kms long, It has no less than 81 named pools, and produces around 1,000 salmon per year, including a run of spring salmon and grilse.

In keeping with its unspoilt and rural landscape, Leitrim has a strong organic farming and food tradition. Drop along to the Organic Centre just outside Rossinver to get a good insight into this aspect of local life. With information and demonstrations on organic gardening, growing and farming, this makes an ideal day out for all the family.

A visit to the Leitrim Design House at the Market House Centre in Carrick-on-Shannon offers the opportunity to see the best interiors designs and products from the county. Many leading artists and craftspeople exhibit their fine art paintings, prints, sculpture and photography here.

Look out for the Lough Allen Monster and claim your reward! Leitrim has a phenomenon to rival that of Scotland's Lough Ness sightings as Lough Allen is reputed to harbour a mythical monster. Legend has it that this monster is 'massive with several bumps and an enormous head'. While it would be fantastic to claim the reward on offer for anyone who can prove it exists, the search shouldn't detract from your enjoyment of this beautiful and picturesque lake in the heart of the Irish countryside!

FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information on any of the items featured above, or on the county in general, please contact:

Fáilte Ireland North West
Aras Reddan
Temple Street
Sligo
Tel: 00353 (0) 7191 61201
Fax: 00353 (0) 719160360

Email: northwestinfo@failteireland.ie
Web: www.irelandnorthwest.ie