Hailed as Ireland’s Lake District, the best way to see Leitrim is from the water. Put on your skipper’s hat and hire a Carrickcraft or Emerald Star cruiser from Carrick-on-Shannon and enjoy a relaxing day on the scenic River Shannon and Erne waterways. Or sit back and let someone else do the hard work with a Moon River or Rose of Innisfree boat tour.
Hop on board an early 20th-century steam train at Cavan and Leitrim Railway. You’ll find the original station beside the current Dublin to Sligo stop, in the pretty fishing village of Dromod. History buffs and those with a keen interest in transport and engineering love the collection of old aircrafts and vehicles. There’s also a variety of artefacts from the two World Wars on display, demonstrating the role transport played in battle and civilian survival.
Hire bikes from Electric Bike Trails in Leitrim village and cycle along the impressive Shannon Blueway all the way to Drumshanbo. This leisurely 20km round trip is traffic-free and relatively flat – ideal for all fitness levels – and takes in the floating Acres Lake Boardwalk across beautiful lakelands. Pack refreshments for the many picnic spots along the family-friendly route.
On the edge of Lough Allen in Drumshanbo lies The Shed Distillery, home to Leitrim’s famous Gunpowder Gin. Book a tour of the fully-operational distillery to see the copper pot stills up close. You'll learn how PJ Rigney’s quest to fuse oriental and Irish botanicals resulted in the world-famous tipple, which is still bottled and labelled by local hands. Before you go, feel free to taste the fruits of their labour in the Honey Badger Bar onsite.
Just west of the River Bonet in Dromahair, the medieval Franciscan friary of Creevelea Abbey stands as one of the last abbeys founded before King Henry VIII began dissolving all of the monasteries throughout Ireland and Britain. Built in 1508, the abbey maintains many of its original architectural features, including its cloisters and their intricate stone carvings, as well as the bell tower and what remains of the chapter house.
Set just off the Shannon Blueway at Battlebridge, Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway is the ideal place for a peaceful getaway with friends or family. There are 16 different kinds of lodges spread out among the native trees, all of which have floor-to-ceiling glass panels at the front to give immersive views of the surrounding nature.
You can take a walk around the trails that weave through the 100-acre estate, and there’s also a woodland spa in the old walled garden with outdoor seaweed baths, hot tubs and a sauna. In the evening, gather around the firepit at the Cedaroo and cosy up with a hot drink or a glass of wine.
Originally the stronghold of the O'Rourke Clan, Parke's Castle is a plantation-era fortified manor house overlooking the beautiful banks of Lough Gill. In the cobbled courtyard, you’ll find the foundations of an earlier defensive structure and remnants of a traditional 17th-century blacksmith forge. Once inside the manor, learn all about the rulers of the kingdom of Breffni at the audio-visual exhibition before exploring the impressive turrets and round towers.
Follow the short trail through the woods near Glencar Lough and you'll find the stunning Glencar Waterfall. Referenced in W.B. Yeats' poem 'The Stolen Child,' the 15m-high waterfall makes for the perfect spot to enjoy a romantic moment. Pack a delicious picnic and discover "where the wandering water gushes, from the hills above Glen-Car. In pools among the rushes, that scarce could bathe a star."
The highest free-standing natural rock tower in Ireland, Hag’s Leap stands at 330m in north Leitrim’s stunning Dartry Mountains. The limestone has changed dramatically over the years with the occurrence of acid rain, creating plenty of nooks and crannies that are perfect for exploring. One such cave is known as Poll na mBear, where the bones of brown bears and their cubs dating back to 2000BC were once discovered.
Hag’s Leap can be viewed from the viewing area adjacent to the carpark. Please Note: there is no access for walking or hiking in this area.
Leitrim has some wonderful places to enjoy a pint in, and maybe catch a traditional music session or singalong. During the day, stop by Charlie Farrelly's cosy bar in Carrigallen, one of the oldest traditional pubs in the country. When it comes to dinner, enjoy fresh Mediterranean flavours at The Courthouse Restaurant in Kinlough, or savour the seasonally creative dishes at The Oarsman in Carrick – both of which are well deserving of the many plaques that decorate their doors.
Start planning your next visit to Leitrim and make it even better than the last.
