County Leitrim: Castles, Heritage and Waterside Trails

County Leitrim brings together historic buildings and exhibitions, waterways, walking trails and distinctive landscapes. When planning your trip, you can decide whether history, longer routes or nature experiences should be the main focus of your stay.

Castles, abbeys and stories of the past

On the north shore of Lough Gill stands Parke’s Castle, a restored castle dating from the early 17th century. Its lakeside setting and the history of the building offer two different points of interest for a visit. An older historical landmark is Creevelea Abbey, a Franciscan abbey built in County Leitrim in 1508.

Seán MacDiarmada is the focus of an exhibition at the Kiltyclogher Heritage Centre. MacDiarmada was a signatory of the 1916 Proclamation; audiovisual facilities and explanatory panels complement the presentation. The Sliabh an Iarainn Visitor Centre in Drumshanbo offers a different thematic focus. Its audiovisual exhibitions cover the Arigna and Sliabh an Iarainn mountain region, including its railway, canal, lakes, iron and coal mining, and musical heritage. The centre operates seasonally, so check current visiting arrangements in advance.

The St George’s Heritage & Visitor Centre in Carrick-on-Shannon links the history of St George’s Church with that of the workhouse. As visiting arrangements can change, it is advisable to check them in advance. The Fenagh Visitor Centre in County Leitrim has an indoor play area, a café and a heritage centre. Facilities and booking arrangements may also change, so check the latest information before your visit.

Comparing waterways and walking routes

Route descriptions cover different scales and ways of exploring. The Acres Lake Boardwalk is 600 m long and forms part of a 6.5 km linear walking and cycling trail. It runs from Acres Lake in Drumshanbo to Battlebridge Lock near Leitrim Village. The two distances therefore refer to the boardwalk and the longer overall route. As route conditions can change, it is advisable to check before setting out.

The first section of the Shannon Blueway includes 16.5 km of waterways, as well as circular walking and cycling routes between Drumshanbo and Carrick-on-Shannon. This combination of waterways and circular routes distinguishes it from the linear trail at Acres Lake.

The 56 km Leitrim Way long-distance walking trail from Manorhamilton to Leitrim Village usually takes two to three days. This is a different timeframe from the shorter sections described in kilometres. Creevelea Abbey is also on a walking route: the 80 km Sligo Way includes high-level paths. Visitors interested in the abbey can also consider it in the context of a longer route.

Scenery, views and guided experiences

The 15 m-high Glencar Waterfall lies near Glencar Lake, 11 km west of Manorhamilton in County Leitrim. The waterfall inspired William Butler Yeats and can be viewed from a wooded walking path. Here, a specific natural attraction, a named literary connection and a described viewpoint along the path come together.

Hag’s Leap is a 330 m-high, freestanding natural rock tower in the Dartry Mountains in the north of County Leitrim, and the highest freestanding natural rock tower on the island of Ireland. An important planning note: Hag’s Leap is a viewpoint only; there is no access for walks or hikes in this area.

Glencar Alpacas offers guided alpaca walks with panoramic views of Glencar Lake and valley. The Organic Centre in Rossinver offers a different focus: it runs more than fifty weekend courses each year, including cheesemaking and organic gardening.

Gardens and local places to visit

The Organic Centre has demonstration gardens with seven polytunnels. Visitors can get guidance in organic gardening there. Together with its weekend courses, the centre explores sustainable growing in two ways: through practical instruction in the gardens and through individual courses. The examples listed range from cheesemaking to gardening and appeal to different interests.

For a break in Drumshanbo, the Jackalope Café at The Shed Distillery serves homemade food and drinks. So, as well as history and trails, County Leitrim offers specific places to visit with food and drink.

Discover more destinations: Leitrim, Mohill, Drumshanbo, Carrick On Shannon, Carrigallen, Keshcarrigan, Ballinamore, Drumnafinnila, Drumkeeran, Dromahair, Drumod, Glenfarne, Manorhamilton, Kiltyclogher, Tullaghan, Drumsna, Kilclare, Carnhill, Kinlough, Rossinver, Cloone, Drumgorman, Drumreagh, Fenagh.

For the regional travel overview: Connacht.