Leitrim
Much of Leitrim’s attraction is based around the Shannon-Erne Waterway which can be cruised from the county’s main town, Carrick on Shannon, to Lough Erne in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. This long thin county is divided in the centre by the Lough of Allen on the Shannon, and has only a short two mile coastline between Donegal and Sligo.
Fenagh Monastic Site
Small ruined monastery founded by Saint Caillain in the small town of Fenagh on the shore of Lough Fenagh
Lough Allen
Drumshanbo is the main Leitrim base for coarse fishing on Lough Allen, which is the first lake on the River Shannon. The Sliath an Iarainn Visitor’s Centre in the town shows a video and has exhibitions about local history and industries.
Lough Gill
Legend says that only those who are free from sin can hear the ringing of the silver bell from Sligo Abbey, which was thrown into the Lough. The famous Irish poet William Butler Yeats wrote about the islands of Inisfree and Doonery rock in Lough Gill. Dooney Rock, which can be reached from the Sligo side provides a good vantage point over the Lough and the other islands. Tours of the 17th century restored plantation castle built around the castle of Brian O’Rourke who was executed for sheltering a Spaniard from the Armada, Parkes Castle on the Western shore of the Lough run from April to October.
The castle also has a caf? and runs boat trips on the lough. Cruises on the lough also run from Dromahair in County Sligo
Lough Glencar
Scenic lough on the border with Sligo
Lough Melvin
Lough Melvin on the border with County Fermanagh has the ruins of McClancy’s castle on a small island on its northern shore. At the southern end of the lake near Rossinver there are scenic walks with waterfalls.
Lough Rynn Estate
Former Victorian stately home and grounds of the Clements, the Earls of Sligo, on the shore of Lough Rynn. There are forest walks, a picnic area and a caf? in the grounds.
Shannon-Erne Waterway
The 239 mile long Shannon-Erne Waterway stretches from the village of Leitrim north of Carrick-on-Shannon to Lough Erne in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. Cruising the waterway is very popular in summer and many local operators offer cruisers for hire for a week at a time.
Sheemore and Sheebeag
The two mountains of Sheemore and Sheebeag, the big hill of the fairies and the small hill of the fairies, are said to be enchanted and are meant to open up releasing fairies and spirits on Halloween. An Irish dance has also been named after the mountains, which are near Keshcarrigan and Lough Scur. There is a Stone Age cairn on Sheemore.