Donegal holdiays Ireland

To the east of Sligo, County Leitrim is almost certainly the least visited in the west of Ireland. It has its own understated charm and is a haven for those who are fond of hill walking, boating, and fishing. The county town of Carrick-on-Shannon is the smallest in Ireland, and is situated on a tight bend in the river. It is a popular spot for people to hire boats, either for a days fishing, or for more extended cruising. The town has a Heritage centre, and the Leitrim Design House, which has examples of local crafts and artwork. The minute Costello Chapel is supposedly the smallest in Europe, measuring only 12ft by 16ft, and was built in 1877, and if you can squeeze in through the door, is worth a visit. There is some fine holiday rental homes in Carrick-on-Shannon so if you are looking for a self-catering holiday then this is a good place to base yourself to explore this hidden part of Ireland.

Most of the towns in the county have only a few hundred inhabitants, and so have little to offer individually, but as a whole there is a wealth of things to keep you occupied. If genealogy is of interest, then a visit to Ballinamore and the county archives is a must. The town was established by Scottish and English settlers in 1621, and well deserves its title of ’the friendly town’. Ballinamore features a weekly market, and various festivals throughout the year, and is close to the Shannon-Erne waterway, a 40-mile canal that connects Lough Erne, in the north with the Atlantic Ocean, in the southwest, a total journey of 240 miles. There are some idyllic holiday cottages to rent in Ballinamore and in the surrounding Leitrim countryside.

In the southeast of the county is the small town of Mohill, and nearby the country house and park of Lough Rynn. This was the home of the Clements family, the Earls of Leitrim, until 1980. The family rose over the years to become the biggest landlords in Ireland with a total holding of 96,000 acres. The most notable member was the 3rd Earl, William Clements, who became one of the most hated men in the country, which culminated in his assassination in 1878. The estate was sold to an Irish-American, who has restored the house and opened the gardens and the arboretum to the public.

At Drumod there is something for the railway enthusiast, the Cavan and Leitrim Steam Railway, which runs a short service during the summer. This small town also has a well renowned equestrian centre, which teaches all aspects of horse craft and is well sited for trekking in the local area. This is a great place to stay if you are looking for a riding holiday in Ireland.

The small town of Rosinver is home to The Organic Centre, a nine-acre site that offers courses to anyone interested in this type of agriculture. There are all sorts of activities to keep you busy, from trying your hand at willow sculpture, to learning about organic propagation. Nearby, on the shores of Lough Gill, is Parke’s Castle, an early 17th century fortified Manor house. The original Castle was a stronghold of the O’Rourke clan, but unfortunately Brian O’Rourke harboured a survivor from the Spanish Armada, and was subsequently executed and the Castle was destroyed. The land was deeded to an English adventurer named Parke, who built the present structure, then abandoned it in 1680, only for the building to be fully restored in the last twenty years. From a jetty below you can take the ferry across to the islet of Innisfree.

Irish tourist information

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