- Glencar Waterfall: Located near Glencar Lough, this 50ft waterfall, immortalized by W.B. Yeats in his poem The Stolen Child, is a scenic gem in a wooded setting. Visitors can expect a short walk from the car park to the cascading falls, best viewed after rain, with picnic facilities and a small café nearby. Free to visit, it’s ideal for nature lovers and photographers seeking a serene, poetic experience.
- Parke’s Castle: A restored 17th-century plantation castle on the shores of Lough Gill in Fivemilebourne, once home to the O’Rourke clan. Visitors can expect guided or self-guided tours of the fortified manor, a visitor center with historical exhibits, and stunning lakeside views. Managed by the OPW, it has a small entry fee and is open March–November. Perfect for history enthusiasts and those exploring Ireland’s past.
- Cavan and Leitrim Railway: In Dromod village, this volunteer-run heritage railway offers a nostalgic journey on a narrow-gauge steam train. Visitors can expect short scenic rides, a museum with vintage locomotives, buses, and aircraft, and insights into Ireland’s rail history. Open weekends and holidays, with entry and ride fees. Ideal for families and train enthusiasts.
- The Shed Distillery: In Drumshanbo, this distillery is the home of Gunpowder Irish Gin and other spirits. Visitors can expect guided tours of the copper pot stills, learning about the fusion of Irish and oriental botanicals, with tastings in a stylish whiskey room. Open daily, with a booking fee. A must for foodies and spirit enthusiasts seeking a unique Irish experience.
- Shannon-Erne Waterway and Shannon Blueway: This 239-mile waterway, centered around Carrick-on-Shannon, connects the River Shannon to Lough Erne. Visitors can expect boat cruises (e.g., Moon River or Carrickcraft), kayaking, paddleboarding, or cycling/walking along the Blueway trails, with views of lush countryside and locks. Boat hire or tour fees apply; free for walking. Perfect for water sports and slow adventurers.
- Costello Memorial Chapel: In Carrick-on-Shannon, this tiny 1877 chapel, possibly Ireland’s smallest, was built by Edward Costello as a memorial to his wife, Mary. Visitors can expect a quick visit to see the ornate interior with two coffins, set on a busy main street. Free to enter, open year-round. A poignant stop for those interested in romantic and architectural history.
- Creevelea Friary: Near Dromahair, this 1508 Franciscan friary is one of Leitrim’s finest monastic ruins, with preserved cloisters and a bell tower. Visitors can expect a peaceful stroll from the village along the River Bonet to explore the ruins, with interpretive signs. Free entry, accessible year-round. Ideal for history buffs and those seeking off-the-beaten-path sites.
- Lough Allen: Leitrim’s largest lake, near Drumshanbo, is part of the Shannon system and offers stunning views of Sliabh an Iarainn. Visitors can expect fishing, kayaking, or walking/cycling along the Shannon Blueway, with the Lough Allen Adventure Centre offering glamping and activities like archery. Free to explore; activity fees apply. Perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
- Glenview Folk Museum: Near Ballinamore, this private museum showcases rural Irish life in the early 20th century. Visitors can expect a collection of vintage farm tools, household items, and a recreated traditional cottage, offering insights into Leitrim’s heritage. Open seasonally, with a small entry fee. Ideal for those interested in cultural history and rural traditions.
- North Leitrim Glens: Encompassing Glencar, Glenfarne, Glenaniff, Glenboy, Glenkeel, Gleniff, and Glenade, these scenic glens in the Dartry Mountains offer tranquil walking trails. Visitors can expect lush valleys, waterfalls like Fowley’s Falls, and views of Hag’s Leap, Ireland’s highest freestanding rock tower at 330m. Free to explore, with guided walks during the North Leitrim Glens Hillwalking Festival (late March). Great for hikers and families.
Attractions
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth\ – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Leitrim:
Ireland’s county Leitrim is a haven of waterways and unspoilt scenery, with the Shannon-Erne Waterway offering tranquil boating and fishing opportunities. Carrick-on-Shannon’s historic Costello Chapel and vibrant marina provide cultural and leisurely appeal, while Glencar Waterfall adds natural beauty. Leitrim is Ireland’s seventh smallest county by size (1,525 square km) and smallest by population (35,199). Population peaked at 155,297 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 25,057 in 1996. In terms of hospitality, Leitrim is Ireland’s 29th most visited tourist county with around 39,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
