By Barry Coughlan
In years gone by Leitrim would hardly have got a second mention in terms of Irish tourism potential, but in recent decades, particularly since the dawn of a new century, all that has changed.
Irish families have increasingly looked beyond the usual suspect counties for their Staycation fix and in doing so have helped open up unheralded areas throughout the small island of Ireland.
And in terms of small, well, Leitrim is very small, given that only six counties have less square mileage. Additionally, with a population of just 35,000 people it’s the smallest population of any county in the country. Even then about 5,000 people, most of them seeking a cheaper cost of living and more relaxed lifestyle, have moved to Leitrim mainly from Dublin in the last few years.
There are no big areas of population, with Carrick On Shannon home to just over 4,000 people, Manorhamilton, Kinlough, Ballinamore, Drumshanbo, Mohill and Dromahair either just above or below the 1,000 population mark; the remainder, including Leitrim Village after which the county is named, have figures hovering around just 500.
So then, anyone heading to Leitrim is to be assured of one ingredient – R&R. There won’t be wild late night parties to contend with – well, maybe the occasional one – and everything is geared to taking it easy and slow…
Carrick On Shannon, the capital, is however lively; it’s the thriving county town of County Leitrim, and it’s one steeped in history that has interesting historical buildings, in particular the unusual Costello Chapel, which is believed to be the smallest chapel in Europe.
The beautiful 19th Century former Courthouse has been restored into Leitrim’s first integrated center for the arts – The Dock which houses a 100 plus seat performance space, three art galleries, an artists studio, arts education room and it is home to The Leitrim Design House.
Carrick on Shannon is known as ‘the marina capital of Ireland’ and the Marina is an attractive focal point of the town. The Carrick on Shannon Regatta is held by Rowing Ireland every July, and is a vibrant event for participants and spectators alike.
Every June bank holiday weekend sees the start of the Carrick Carnival, an action-packed 10-day festival when an eclectic mix of street entertainment, live music, kids fun days, traditional amusements and ongoing evening events really bring this town to life!
Food lovers will be happy too because Carrick on Shannon offers a wide variety of restaurants, cafés and hotels along with night time entertainment including lively traditional music sessions by many well known musicians.
Those so inclined could take a boat tour with operators on both the River Shannon and Lough Gill. An option is the Moon River Cruise from the quayside the town; the tour travels along the river and guests will be entertained and educated on points of interest and folklore of the area. Check out www.moonriver.ie.
Drumshanbo marks the start of the Shannon Blueway and Acres Lake is home to Ireland’s first floating boardwalk. The 400 yard boardwalk extends over the lake and is part of a four mile linear walking and cycling trail from Acres Lake to Battlebridge Lock, near Leitrim Village.
Every July Drumshanbo plays host to the award winning Joe Mooney Summer School, a week-long festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance named after the man who did so much to promote Leitrim and his beloved town.
Drumshanbo is also the only remaining town in Ireland to still celebrate An Tostal, a festival inaugurated all over Ireland in 1953, as a celebration for Irish life. The week long family fun festival is full of a variety of activities and entertainment. There is a mix of on-street entertainment, indoor and outdoor activities, water activities and the ever popular Stylish Silage competition which attracts hundreds of people to Drumshanbo during the festival week.
An interesting point of interest in Drumshanbo is its unique High Street fronted by a stone wall and steps that lead down to Ireland’s shortest Main Street.
St John’s Church of Ireland, a gothic structure that dates back to 1828, was originally built as a chapel-of-ease for Carrick On Shannon and is now only used once a month on the fourth Sunday, but it is physically very much part of the fabric of the town.
The old pre-emancipation Church of Murhaun which stood in 1744, before St Patrick’s Church was built in 1851 closer to the village, was attached to a graveyard, known as the Famine Graveyard. Some 500 victims of the Great Famine (An Gorta Mor– 1845/47) are thought to have been buried here.
At nearby Blackrock there are boat facilities that allow access to Lough Allen from the Canal. Crannogs (an ancient fortified dwelling constructed in a lake or marsh) can be seen in Lough Allen when water levels are low. Crannogs consist of stones arranged in oval and circular shapes in a raised formation off the shoreline.
The quiet village of Tullaghan is located where Leitrim meets the sea between Donegal and Sligo, on Leitrim’s 2.4 miles of coastline, which is the shortest coastline of any coastal county in Ireland.
The village is also the site of the Tullaghan, an ancient High Cross discovered on the shore after a storm and erected in 1778 by the local landlord, it’s thought have originated in a long-vanished monastery near the seashore.
Leitrim may not have an expansive coastline but it still has spectacular scenery, from dramatic mountains and deep valleys to the ever peaceful surrounds of the county’s many lakes.
The Glancar Waterfall in the north of the county is sometimes referred to as (W.B) Yeats’ waterfall, as it was the inspiration for his poem the Stolen Child.
Leitrim can’t boast of many links to famous people but actors James Cagney and Patrick McGoohan were descended from the county and Sean MacDiarmuda, one of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising was born in Kittyclogher.
Leitrim has been and is an angler’s delight with huge opportunities for fishing enthusiasts whether those interests center on coarse angling (all freshwater fish other than trout, sea trout and salmon) or game fish.
Coarse fish species in the area include bream, roach, rudd, hybrids, tench, pike and perch. Coarse angling enthusiasts do not need a license to fish in Leitrim.
Game fish include wild Atlantic salmon, sea trout and brown trout. Both beginners and experienced anglers can benefit from the services of a friendly local expert.
Specimen tench and occasional bream can be found in the small developed lakes in the areas of Drumlonan, Corgar and Bolganard Lakes. Other waters include Ardameean, Corduff and Willowfield Lakes and Lough Awaddy.
Salmon fishing opens on January 1st on a handful of rivers and after that the remainder of rivers on various dates in February, March, April and May. The majority of rivers are closed from September 30th, but some remain open for sea trout fishing until October 12th.
Game angling in Leitrim requires a license which can be purchased online from store.fishinginireland.info.
Hikers will find some of the most breathtaking peaks in the North West of Ireland, whilst tracks and trails cater for walkers of every level. Water lovers will find plenty to dip their toes into whilst enjoying kayaking, surfing and paddle boarding.
Paddle Shack offer a variety of water experiences to suit any occasion or event from a personal adventure to a corporate retreat and everything in between. Details on www.thepaddleshack.ie
Those looking for something different in terms of accommodation might look to the Drumhierny Woodland Hideaway, a 100 acre estate, just waiting to be explored. This exclusive Hideaway offers 16 lodges nestled within their own private area of the woodland with 3 miles of tracks and trails throughout the Estate leading you to hidden fairy forts and other adventures.
Located right on the Shannon Blueway, it’s a stones throw from Leitrim Village, and within easy striking distance to the vibrant town of Drumshanbo and Carrick on Shannon. Nothing is too far away of anything else in Leitrim. More information at on drumhiernyhideaway.ie.
More expansive and general information on County Leitrim is available on www.leitrim.ie or www.discoverireland.com/leitrim