Local Attractions

Drumshanbo and Leitrim

Around Drumshanbo is well preserved and stunningly varied. A number of fabulous visitor attractions are within a short drive of Ramada Hotel and Suites at Lough Allen including:

• Florencecourt House
• The Marble Arch Caves
• The Arigna Mining Experience
• Boat trip on Lough Gill

Parkes Castle

TThe impressive fortified manor house sits on the shores of one of Ireland's most beautiful lakes-Lough Gill. The splendour of Parkes Castle is immediately evident as you drive around the lake. Once an important stronghold of the local O'Rourke family, rulers of Breffni, Parkes Castle has been recently restored in its true seventeenth style. A guided tour of the castle is given every hour. There is also an individual slide show entitled "Stone by stone" in four languages. In the castle there is a traditional blacksmith forge of 17th century style as well as café and tea rooms with home-made fare.

Lough Gill, Five Mile Bourne, Co. Leitrim
Tel: +353 (0) 71 916 4149
Contact: Siobhan McGowan-Loughlin
Open: March 29-May 31, 10am-5pm (Tue-Sun) Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays June - September 9.30 - 6.30pm daily
October - 10.00 - 5pm

Wild Rose Waterbus

The Wild Rose Waterbus operates on one of the most beautiful and scenic lakes in Ireland, Lough Gill. This majestic all-weather craft travels between historic Parkes Castle on the shores of Lough Gill into the centre of Sligo town. En route the Wild Rose takes in the famous "Isle of Innisfree". During the trip the skipper, George McGoldrick will recite tales of folklore, history and poetry associated with Ireland's most famous son, W.B. Yeats.

• View the Isle of Innisfree on board the waterbus
• Live recital of poetry and commentary on local history
• Daily sailways between Parkes Castle, Co. Leitrim & Co. Sligo.

Kilmore, Five Mile Bourne, Co. Leitrim
Tel: +353 (0)71 9164266
Mobile: +353 (0)87 2598869
Contact: Tina & George McGoldrick
Open: Daily June-September. Limited sailings April-October.

 

The Old Narrow Gauge Railway

Half a mile of the old narrow gauge line has been restored from Dromod to Clooncolry Crossing. Open all year round. Steam trains run May - October on weekends and by special request. Group booking by arrangement all year. Visit also includes workshop and guided tour. Visitors can also browse in the railway shop.

Dromod, Co Leitrim
Tel/Fax: +353 (0)7196 38599
Contact: Michael Kennedy
E-mail: dromod@tinet.ie
Internet: http://travel.to/dromod
Open: Year Round

 

Sliabh an Iarainn Sunset Riverbus

Located in Ballinamore on the banks of Shannon-Erne Canal, the Sliabh an Iarainn Sunset Riverbus provides the perfect setting for a trip on the newly re-opened waterway. The canal itself was built between 1845 and 1856 as a navigation and drainage scheme. The canal has recently been refurbished and is now one of the most modern canal systems in Europe. The Sliabh an Iarainn Sunset takes full advantage of this modernisation as it weaves its way through the countryside of Co. Leitrim, a County rich in natural and unspoilt beauty.

The pilot of the Sliabh an Iarainn Sunset is an experienced pilot and storyteller who will weave his magic and create a trip to remember. The narration contains elements of interest for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, bird watchers and the general public. The trip along the canal is laced with legend and the pilot will enthrall the visitor with this information and with his story telling.

Tel: +353 (0) 71 9644079
Fax: +353 (0)71 9645135
Contact: Brendan or Vera
Open: Public Daily Sailings, June-September Sailings on Request, October-April

 

Swan island open farm

Located on the Shannon Erne link, Swan Island is a must see attraction. Enjoy a different experience in tranquil surrounds. With over 50 species of animals, Swan Island will surprise and delight you. whatever your age! Facilities include playground, marina, restaurant, picnic area and souvenir/confectionery shop. In association with the Sliabh-an Iarainn Sunset Riverbus the Open Farm runs unique steak BBQ parties with ceilis.

Keeldrin Ballinamore Co. Leitrim
Contact: Pat & Ann Bradley
Tel: +353 (0)49 4333065 +353 / (0)87 2605102
e-mail: swanisland@indigo.ie
Internet: http://homepage.eircom.net/~swanislandfarm/
Open: 10am-6pm

 

Sliabh an Iarainn Visitors centre

The Visitor Centre in Drumshanbo tells the story of the beautiful county of Leitrim in words, pictures and display. It also informs the visitor about life, transport and industry between the Arigna and Sliabh an Iarainn mountains - the railway, canal, lakes, iron and coal mining. The Centre has a display depicting miners at work and also has a reconstruction of a sweat house which was used is olden times as a cure for aches and pains. There is also a recreation of a Cavan & Leitrim Railway ticket and waiting room as well as many fine pictures of the railway. An audio-visual show, lasting 12 minutes takes visitors through the sights and scenes of the area.

Drumshanbo Co Leitrim
Tel: +353 (0)71 9641522
Open: April - October, Mon - Sat, 10.00 - 18.00 Sun,14.00 - 18.00

Mohill
Tel: +353 (0) 71 96 31427
Fax: +353 (0) 71 96 31518

 

Drumkeerin Heritage Centre

The Heritage Centre celebrates the history of this area. Here you can experience a beautifully reconstructed Irish Cottage and farmyard in a unique campus which draws inspiration from the magnificent rugged landscape surrounding mountains, lakes and woods. The Heritage Centre has a traditional sweat house and agricultural machinery. There is a coffe shop on site.
The Donald Fidgeon Resource Centre on site tells the story of the 1798 Rebellion and Drumkeerin's part in it by use of displays and memorabilia.

Drumkeerin Co. Leitrim
Tel: +353 (0) 71 96 48353
Contact: Drumkeerin Resource Centre
Open: During summer months

Kinlough Folk Museum

The folk museum contains an old style public bar which is in its original form. The bar is unique, featuring the long counter with a lift-up hatch. Old bottles adorn the shelves. The kitchen with its open fire, settle bed, assortment of delph and kitchen utensils conjures up the atmosphere of those bygone days when the fire really was the heart and engine of the house. The museum also contains a display room featuring newspaper cuttings, farm implements etc.

Barrack St Kinlough Co. Leitrim
Tel: +353 (0) 71 9166296
Fax: +353 (0) 71 9166296
Contact: Mairead Kearns (secretary)
Open: During Summer months

 

Sean Mac Diarmada Homestead

This house was the family home of the ill-fated 1916 Rebellion leader, Sean Mac Diarmada who was executed by the British in May, 1916. It is a three-roomed thatched cottage with some thatched out-buildings and is open to the public by arrangement.

Kiltytclogher Co. Leitrim
Open: Visit by arrangement
Contact: Sean Dolan (Caretaker)
Tel: +353 (0)71 9853249

 

Moon River Pleasure Cruiser

Located in picturesque Carrick-on-Shannon, the Moon River offers the ultimate experience to the visitor travelling on the Shannon. Even the temperamental Irish weather is kept at bay by the totally enclosed viewing lounge. This 1.5 hour round trip on the Shannon is one of the most pleasant ways of spending your time in Leitrim. Dedicated and fully trained crew will tend to your every requirement. An entertaining pilot will talk you through your trip on the Moon River explaining points of interest and folklore of the area while you relax and enjoy the scenery, coffee (or something a little stronger) and a snack.

The Quayside Carrick-on-Shannon
Tel: +353 (0)71 96 21777
Tel: +353 (0)86 2610010 (mobile)
Fax: +353 (0)71 96 21630

 

The Leitrim Genealogy Centre

The Leitrim Genealogy Centre has been set up to deal with enquiries from people who want to trace their Leitrim ancestors. The difficulty faced by many people who travelled from many lands to trace their Leitrim ancestors was that source material was scattered throughout the county and elsewhere. All the available sources have now been gathered in one place and the Leitrim Genealogy Centre and the Leitrim County Library have combined to provide a full time professional genealogy service for County Leitrim. Experienced researchers carry out research at the centre. Enquiries can be dealt with by calling the centre or by writing giving all available details.

The Leitrim Genealogy Centre
County Library, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim
Tel : +353 (0)71 96 44012
Fax: +353 (0)71 96 44425
Open: Monday-Friday 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm

Leitrim Design House

The Leitrim Design House is a retail showroom/gallery which is a permanent showcase for Leitrim's craftspeople and artists designing for interiors. It offers a range of elegant,distinctive yet practical interior designs to suite every room in your home. Making an impact is a speciality and the use of excellent design and quality materials combine to produce stunning interiors reflecting traditional and contemporary craft in the 21st century Leitrim Design House Market Yard, Carrick-on-Shannon,Co.Leitrim Tel: 071 96 50550, Fax: 071 96 21491 email:info@leitrimdesign.com www.leitrimdesignhouse.com

The Organic Centree

The Organic Centre is located in the unspoiled countryside of North Leitrim just eight miles from Manorhamilton. This is Ireland's leading center for education and information on organic framing and gardening. Our demonstration gardens which contain a hertage garden, a children's garden, a taste garden, a willow sculpture area, geese, ducks, hens, kerry cows and many other attractions have become a major visitor attraction in the North West.

Why not call in an visit our gardens which are open to the public seven days a week, learn a little about organic growing on one of our short courses or buy some organic herbs and vegetables from our shop.

The Organic Centre
Rossinver Co. Leitrim
Tel: +353 (0)71 9854338
Fax: +353 (0)71 9854343
Email: organiccentre@eircom.net,
web: www.theorganiccentre.ie

Glenview Folk Museum

Glenview Folk Museum is a private collection of over 3000 antiques, historical and novel items ranging from pre famine Ireland. There is an impressive array of farmyard equipment. A collection of horse drawn agricultural machinery and a thrasher. A street scene has a number of reconstructed shops and a pun. These are stocked, filled and equipped, as they would have existed in the past. A Large set of tradesmen's tools on display indicative of the skill and the ingenuity of past owners.

A varied collection of household items such as butter making equipment, lamps, furniture, utensils and papers are on display. This collection also includes coins, ledgers, registers, posters, newspapers and other memorabilia from the past.

Glenview Folk Museum
Aghoo,
Ballinamore
Co. Leitrim
TEL: 00353 71 96 44157
FAX: 00353 71 96 44814
EMAIL: glenvhse@ion.ie

Eden Plants
Market Garden Rossinver Tel: +353 (0)71 98 54122

Glencar Waterfall

Glencar Waterfall which is situated 11km west of Manorhamilton served as an inspiration to Willam Butler Yeats and is mentioned in his poem "The Stolen Child". The waterfall is impressive and can be viewed from a lovely wooded walk. Picnic facilities are also provided.

Derrycarne Wood

This wood, just north of Dromod, has a picnic site, car park and access to the River Shannon. It was the seat of Lord Harlic but the house is now demolished.

Glenfarne Forest

For those wishing to take advantage of the picturesque beauty of the woodland walks and scenic views across Upper Lough Macnean, Glenfarne Forest is ideal. It is situated in North Leitrim, half a mile from the N16 and within easy reach of Sligo, Bundoran and Enniskillen. There are marked walks of varying distances with spectacular views of Lough MacNean. The Forest also has a boat quay, with boat hire available locally and a picnic site. The lake is excellent for coarse fishing.

Miltown Wood

Situated 1km north-west of Manorhamilton on the Lurganboy road, the wood has traces of an old mill race which gave the area its name. There are picnic areas and walks in the wood.

Other Scenic Spots

Lavagh Forest, Drumkeerin
Lake Garadice Amenity Area
Corry Strand - Amenity strand on Lough Allen
Acres Lake Amenity Area, Drumshanbo