Ireland’s sparkling ‘Wild Rose’ county, Leitrim is a land of shimmering lakes and emerald valleys. From the bustling riverside resort of Carrick-on-Shannon to the poetic beauty of Glencar Waterfall, the county offers a tranquil escape into nature. With more water than land in parts, it’s a paradise for cruising, angling, and peaceful walks through uncrowded landscapes.
Carrick-on-Shannon, leitrim
Merchants who once plied the Shannon’s trade routes laid the groundwork for today’s bustling riverside resort. Now the town boasts a lively marina, kayaking and paddle‑boarding on calm waters, and a thriving nightlife that belies its modest size.
Dromahair, leitrim
Eóghan O'Rourke, Lord of West Bréifne, founded Creevelea Abbey in 1508, establishing the last Franciscan house built in Ireland before the Dissolution. A 1536 fire razed much of the complex, but it was swiftly rebuilt by Brian Ballach O'Rourke, and the surviving nave, transept and cloister still whisper of its once‑vibrant monastic life beside the Bonet River.
Sligo, sligo
Legendary chieftain Guaire of the Dartraighe once roamed the limestone ridges that now bear his name. Today hikers scale Benbulbin’s flat‑topped monolith and Truskmore’s summit, tracing the same paths that carried cattle drovers through valleys steeped in myth.
Rossinver, leitrim
Legend says a landslide in 2021 briefly blocked the Fowley's Falls walkway, yet swiftly repaired volunteers reopened the trail by July 2022 with a ceremonial ribbon cut by Minister Heather Humphreys. Today the 3 km forest path carries the roar of water over stone steps, fern‑lined banks and a picnic clearing where kingfishers flash amidst the cascading rapids.
Glencar Waterfall, leitrim
Poetically celebrated, Glencar Waterfall captured William Butler Yeats’s imagination in his 1889 poem *The Stolen Child*. The 15‑metre cascade tumbles into a moss‑lined pool framed by ancient trees, offering a fairy‑tale setting just a short drive from Sligo.
Glencar Lough, leitrim
Crystal‑clear waters of Glencar Lough mirror the limestone cliffs of the Dartry Mountains, creating a tranquil tableau at the valley’s heart. The lake’s striking 15‑metre waterfall and two early‑medieval crannogs add both natural beauty and a hint of ancient intrigue.
Kinlough, leitrim
Singularly, Kinlough is Ireland’s only village perched directly at the head of a lake that straddles the border with County Fermanagh. Overlooking Lough Melvin’s crystal waters, the settlement offers mountain vistas, historic island ruins and world‑renowned trout fisheries that draw anglers from afar.
Leitrim Village, leitrim
Glinting sunlight dances on the floating boardwalk over Acres Lake, while the gentle lapping of the Shannon invites quiet contemplation. The village’s bustling caravan park and electric‑bike hires launch adventurers onto tranquil country lanes and historic blueway routes.
Northwest Ireland, leitrim
Glassy surfaces stretch across the border, reflecting the sky in a flawless mirror. Its pristine, oligotrophic waters nurture the endemic Melvin charr and the uniquely Irish gillaroo and sonaghan trout, while licences from Garrison Anglers protect this biodiversity hotspot.
Northern shore of Lough Gill, leitrim
Glinting against the sunset on Lough Gill, how did a tragic family loss transform a 17th‑century planter manor into a modern cultural venue? When two of Captain Robert Parke’s children drowned in 1677, the house fell into ruin before the OPW restored its gatehouse and exhibition rooms, now showcasing the layered Gaelic and planter histories of the site.
Leitrim, leitrim
Echoing the legacy of High King Brian Boru, whose 7th‑century burial lies near Killaloe, the Shannon River weaves through eleven counties from its source to the Atlantic. Along its banks stand medieval strongholds such as Portumna Castle and the monastic round tower of Clonmacnoise, testifying to centuries of spiritual and military history.
Acres Lake, leitrim
Revealing the iron‑working community that erected the Cornashamsoge furnace in the early 17th century, Sliabh an Iarainn’s slopes still bear the marks of centuries of metal extraction. Today the Acres Lake Visitor Centre interprets the mountain’s rich fossil record and the mythic ties to the smith‑god Goibniu, offering a blend of geology and legend.
