Cloone: Nature Trail, Church History and Agricultural Show

Cloone brings together nature and local history: Bóthar Na Naomh winds through a varied landscape, while churches, cemeteries and a garden of remembrance explore other local themes. The annual Cloone Agricultural Show is another highlight. If you are planning a trip to Cloone, you will find a range of ways to connect with the area here—from a stay amid the countryside to exploring the history of the town.

Nature and Activities on Bóthar Na Naomh

Bóthar Na Naomh starts and ends in Cloone. The trail passes through deciduous woodland and regenerated peatland, and around Annaghmaconway Lough. From there, you can enjoy views of the wetland scenery typical of limestone landscapes, with riverbanks, wet meadows, woodland, bog and lakeshore. Vegetation and trail conditions can change with the seasons, so take this into account when planning your visit.

The trail is designed for recreation, sport, culture and nature education. It is used both independently and as part of organised activities for running, walking, horse riding, kayaking and fishing. These activities combine exercise on foot with options on and by the water. This lets you take different interests into account when planning your trip, without limiting the trail to just one type of use. Which aspects matter most to you will depend on whether you are primarily interested in experiencing the landscape or in the range of activities available.

Church History and Remembrance in Cloone

The freestanding, three-tiered bell tower of St James's Church was built in 1822 and is no longer in use. Its character was preserved through a sensitive restoration. The church cemetery has been in continuous use since the 19th century and forms part of Cloone's social history. The Cloone Garden of Remembrance, completed in 2020, is located directly beside the bell tower. Information panels on local history stand along a path there.

The Catholic Church of St. Mary and its cemetery in Cloone are also listed in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. This makes the site part of the area's architectural heritage too. The historical connections range from the preserved bell tower, which is no longer in use, to the continuous use of St James's Church cemetery and the information panels in the garden of remembrance.

Annual Event: Cloone Agricultural Show

The Cloone Agricultural Show has been held annually since 1988 on the Monday of the August bank holiday weekend. The exact date and programme vary from year to year. You can therefore factor this recurring event into your plans without assuming a particular date or programme.

More to Explore in the Wider Destination of County Leitrim

The wider destination of County Leitrim also offers a range of landscapes and cultural and historical themes. The Leitrim Way is a 56 km long-distance walking trail from Manorhamilton to Leitrim Village; it usually takes two to three days to complete. The first section of the Shannon Blueway comprises 16.5 km of waterways, as well as circular walking and cycling routes between Drumshanbo and Carrick-on-Shannon. The two experiences differ in focus: the Leitrim Way is a long-distance walking trail usually planned as a multi-day trip, while the Blueway section combines waterways with circular walking and cycling routes.

Another natural attraction in County Leitrim is the 15 m high Glencar Waterfall, near Glencar Lake, 11 km west of Manorhamilton. The waterfall inspired William Butler Yeats and can be viewed from a wooded walking trail. This makes it easy to distinguish Cloone's local themes—Bóthar Na Naomh, church heritage and the agricultural show—from the separate experiences available across the wider County Leitrim.

Discover more destinations: Drumshanbo, Ballinamore, Kiltyclogher, Drumod, Mohill, Drumsna, Drumreagh, Carnhill.

For the wider travel overview: County Leitrim.