Overview
Drumshanbo is the home of Gunpowder gin: The Shed Distillery, on the edge of this small Leitrim town, is why a lot of people now know the name at all. But the town earns a stop on its own. A floating boardwalk runs out across Acres Lake, the Iron Mountain rises behind it with a mining past to match, and the south tip of Lough Allen sits on its doorstep. If you have an afternoon, do the boardwalk and a distillery tour; the rest is a bonus. The Joe Mooney Summer School in late July, when the town fills with traditional musicians, is the one time to come for something other than the quiet.
History & The Iron Legacy
Sliabh an Iarainn means the Iron Mountain, and it earned the name. Iron ore was carried by boat across Lough Allen from Sliabh an Iarainn, Ballinaglera and the Arigna mountains to furnaces at Drumshanbo, and the ore that supplied them was worked here from the 17th century. The story does not end with iron: coal mining on the Arigna side continued into the 1990s, now told at the Arigna Mining Experience. The narrow-gauge Cavan & Leitrim Railway reached the town from 2 May 1888 until it closed on 1 April 1959; the old station building still stands. The town’s Irish name, Droim Seanbhó, is usually given as “ridge of the old cow,” though some sources read it as “ridge of the old huts.”
The same instinct for making things continues at The Shed Distillery, which opened in 2014 in the former Lairds Jam Factory (closed 1998), now part of a community-run Food Hub. Founder PJ Rigney set out to revive Connacht’s single pot still whiskey tradition, absent from the west of Ireland for a century. It is a working distillery as well as a visitor attraction, producing Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin and a single pot still whiskey from local botanicals and copper pot stills. A 2020 expansion added tasting spaces, a botanical glasshouse and event facilities, and in 2025 the distillery took on the town’s former Methodist church for further growth.
What to See & Do
Sliabh an Iarainn Visitor Centre
Located on the shores of Acres Lake, the centre brings the area’s mining history to life through a 12-minute audio-visual presentation. Exhibits cover the iron industry, historic railways, canal networks, and the natural environment of the Leitrim hills. The centre also highlights local musical traditions and serves as a useful starting point for planning outdoor activities. It operates seasonally from April to October, so checking ahead is recommended.
Shannon Blueway & Acres Lake Boardwalk
A 600-metre floating boardwalk crosses Acres Lake, forming the first section of the 6.5 km Shannon Blueway Trail. The route connects Drumshanbo to Battlebridge and offers level, accessible walking with open views across the water. Cyclists and families use the path regularly, and it links directly to the visitor centre and surrounding parkland. For a detailed guide to the route and facilities, see the Acres Lake – Boardwalk and Visitor Centre page.
Walking & Hiking
The shoreline and surrounding hills provide a network of trails suited to different fitness levels:
- Miner’s Way & Historical Trail – A 26 km route following the eastern shore of Lough Allen. The path passes former mining sites, old railway embankments, and viewpoints overlooking the lake.
- Leitrim Way – Starts at Drumshanbo’s waterfront and heads inland. The first sections stay close to the shore before climbing into the uplands, offering a mix of gentle walking and steady ascents.
- Slí Liatroma – A 48 km long-distance route linking Drumshanbo and Manorhamilton. Designed for experienced walkers, it crosses forest tracks, bogland, and open mountain terrain.
Water Sports on Lough Allen
The lake’s sheltered coves suit kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and windsurfing, and local operators run guided sessions and hire. Anglers target brown trout, pike, perch, rudd and roach, with moorings and boat ramps for self-catered trips. In summer, the Aura outdoor heated swimming pool at Acres Lake is an easier way into the water.
Moorlands Equestrian Centre
Situated just outside the town centre, the equestrian centre offers guided pony treks and trail rides across private woodlands and open fields. Routes range from short, family-friendly loops to longer rides that follow old mining tracks and lakeside paths. Riders of all experience levels can book sessions in advance.
The Shed Distillery
The distillery occupies a restored industrial building and operates as a working production site alongside a visitor experience:
- Curious Journey Tour – A 90-minute guided session that covers the seed and spice room, barrel store, and distillation laboratory. Visitors see the copper pot stills in action, learn about the botanicals used in the gin, and sample two products: Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin.
- Jackalope Café – On site, serving breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea from local ingredients. Check current opening hours before relying on it.
- Botanical Glasshouse & Honey Badger Bar – A dedicated tasting space overlooking Lough Allen, where visitors can order gin cocktails and explore seasonal botanical displays.
- Gift Shop – Stocks limited-edition bottles, ceramic-styled gin releases, distillery apparel, and crafts from local makers.
- Events – The glasshouse and courtyard host regular programming, including gin launch events, fashion evenings, and seasonal wellness sessions. Booking ahead is required for tours and special events.
Practical Information
Getting There & Parking
Drumshanbo is northeast of Carrick on Shannon, about a ten-minute drive. The most useful bus is the Local Link 567, which runs roughly hourly from Carrick-on-Shannon railway station (about 30 minutes), with four a day continuing to Manorhamilton; route 572 comes from Sligo (about 80 minutes) and 571 from Boyle via Keadue. Bus Éireann is far thinner – route 462 to Sligo and 469 to Longford run only on Fridays and Saturdays, so don’t plan around them. Free parking is available at the Sliabh an Iarainn Visitor Centre, the boardwalk trailhead and The Shed Distillery. The visitor centre and distillery tours are wheelchair accessible, and the boardwalk is level and suitable for pushchairs and mobility aids.
Best Time to Visit
May through September offers the most reliable weather for walking, cycling, and water sports. The visitor centre closes for the winter season, but The Shed Distillery, café, and shop remain open year-round. Summer months see the highest footfall, so booking distillery tours and accommodation in advance is advisable.
Nearby Attractions
- Acres Lake – Boardwalk and Visitor Centre
- Battlebridge – Riverside Camping, Pub & Outdoor Adventures
- Creevelea Abbey
- Glencar Waterfall
- Manorhamilton
Book distillery tours at least a week ahead during peak season, and allow extra time to explore the boardwalk before heading inland on the Miner’s Way for a full day of lakeside walking and craft tasting.