The
impressive fortified manor house sits on the shores of
one of Ireland's most beautiful lakes-Lough Gill. The
splendour of Parkes Castle is immediately evident as you
drive around the lake. Once an important stronghold of
the local O'Rourke family, rulers of Breffni, Parkes Castle
has been recently restored in its true seventeenth style.
A guided tour of the castle is given every hour. There
is also an individual slide show entitled "Stone by stone"
in four languages. In the castle there is a traditional
blacksmith forge of 17th century style as well as café
and tea rooms with home-made fare.
Lough
Gill, Five Mile Bourne, Co. Leitrim
Tel:
+353 (0) 71 916 4149
Contact:
Siobhan McGowan-Loughlin
Open:
March 29-May 31, 10am-5pm (Tue-Sun) Closed Mondays
except Bank Holidays June - September 9.30 - 6.30pm
daily October - 10.00 - 5pm
The Wild Rose Waterbus operates on one of the most beautiful
and scenic lakes in Ireland, Lough Gill. This majestic
all-weather craft travels between historic Parkes Castle
on the shores of Lough Gill into the centre of Sligo town.
En route the Wild Rose takes in the famous "Isle of Innisfree".
During the trip the skipper, George McGoldrick will recite
tales of folklore, history and poetry associated with
Ireland's most famous son, W.B. Yeats.
·
View the Isle of Innisfree on board the waterbus
· Live recital of poetry and commentary on local history
· Daily sailways between Parkes Castle, Co. Leitrim &
Co. Sligo.
Half
a mile of the old narrow gauge line has been restored
from Dromod to Clooncolry Crossing. Open all year round.
Steam trains run May - October on weekends and by special
request. Group booking by arrangement all year. Visit
also includes workshop and guided tour. Visitors can also
browse in the railway shop.
Located
in Ballinamore on the banks of Shannon-Erne Canal, the
Sliabh an Iarainn Sunset Riverbus provides the perfect
setting for a trip on the newly re-opened waterway. The
canal itself was built between 1845 and 1856 as a navigation
and drainage scheme. The canal has recently been refurbished
and is now one of the most modern canal systems in Europe.
The Sliabh an Iarainn Sunset takes full advantage of this
modernisation as it weaves its way through the countryside
of Co. Leitrim, a County rich in natural and unspoilt
beauty.
The pilot of the Sliabh an Iarainn Sunset is an experienced
pilot and storyteller who will weave his magic and create
a trip to remember. The narration contains elements of
interest for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, bird
watchers and the general public. The trip along the canal
is laced with legend and the pilot will enthrall the visitor
with this information and with his story telling.
Tel:
+353 (0) 71 9644079
Fax:
+353 (0)71 9645135
Contact:
Brendan or Vera
Open:
Public Daily Sailings, June-September Sailings on
Request, October-April
Located
on the Shannon Erne link, Swan Island is a must see attraction.
Enjoy a different experience in tranquil surrounds. With
over 50 species of animals, Swan Island will surprise
and delight you… whatever your age! Facilities include
playground, marina, restaurant, picnic area and souvenir/confectionery
shop. In association with the Sliabh-an Iarainn Sunset
Riverbus the Open Farm runs unique steak BBQ parties with
ceilis.
The Visitor Centre in Drumshanbo tells the story of the
beautiful county of Leitrim in words, pictures and display.
It also informs the visitor about life, transport and
industry between the Arigna and Sliabh an Iarainn mountains
- the railway, canal, lakes, iron and coal mining. The
Centre has a display depicting miners at work and also
has a reconstruction of a sweat house which was used is
olden times as a cure for aches and pains. There is also
a recreation of a Cavan & Leitrim Railway ticket and waiting
room as well as many fine pictures of the railway. An
audio-visual show, lasting 12 minutes takes visitors through
the sights and scenes of the area.
Lough Rynn Estate is the house of the Clement's family,
Earls of Leitrim. The estate comprises 100 acres of rambling
woodland and 300 acres ornamental walled gardens dating
back to 1859 with splendid views over Lough Rynn. A high
quality restaurant offers a range of traditional fare.
The estate also offers a fast-food outlet and the craft
shop stocks a wide range of locally produced crafts as
well as renowned craft designer products. For the visitor
there are nature trails, guided tours of buildings of
historic interest and angling.
Mohill
Tel:
+353 (0) 71 96 31427
Fax:
+353 (0) 71 96 31518
The
Heritage Centre celebrates the history of this area. Here
you can experience a beautifully reconstructed Irish Cottage
and farmyard in a unique campus which draws inspiration
from the magnificent rugged landscape surrounding mountains,
lakes and woods. The Heritage Centre has a traditional
sweat house and agricultural machinery. There is a coffe
shop on site.
The Donald Fidgeon Resource Centre on site tells the story
of the 1798 Rebellion and Drumkeerin's part in it by use
of displays and memorabilia.
Drumkeerin
Co. Leitrim
Tel:
+353 (0) 71 96 48353
Contact:
Drumkeerin Resource Centre
Open:
During summer months
The folk museum contains an old style public bar which
is in its original form. The bar is unique, featuring
the long counter with a lift-up hatch. Old bottles adorn
the shelves. The kitchen with its open fire, settle bed,
assortment of delph and kitchen utensils conjures up the
atmosphere of those bygone days when the fire really was
the heart and engine of the house. The museum also contains
a display room featuring newspaper cuttings, farm implements
etc.
Barrack
St Kinlough Co. Leitrim
Tel:
+353 (0) 71 9166296
Fax:
+353 (0) 71 9166296
Contact:
Mairead Kearns (secretary)
Open:
During Summer months
This house was the family home of the ill-fated 1916 Rebellion
leader, Sean Mac Diarmada who was executed by the British
in May, 1916. It is a three-roomed thatched cottage with
some thatched out-buildings and is open to the public
by arrangement.
Kiltytclogher
Co. Leitrim
Open:
Visit by arrangement
Contact:
Sean Dolan (Caretaker)
Tel:
+353 (0)71 9853249
Located
in picturesque Carrick-on-Shannon, the Moon River offers
the ultimate experience to the visitor travelling on the
Shannon. Even the temperamental Irish weather is kept
at bay by the totally enclosed viewing lounge. This 1.5
hour round trip on the Shannon is one of the most pleasant
ways of spending your time in Leitrim. Dedicated and fully
trained crew will tend to your every requirement. An entertaining
pilot will talk you through your trip on the Moon River
explaining points of interest and folklore of the area
while you relax and enjoy the scenery, coffee (or something
a little stronger) and a snack.
The
Quayside Carrick-on-Shannon
Tel:
+353 (0)71 96 21777
Tel:
+353 (0)86 2610010 (mobile)
Fax:
+353 (0)71 96 21630
This folk museum is 3km outside of Carrigallen. It opens
Tuesdays from 8:30 - 5pm. Nearby is Killegar House, home
of Lord Kilbracken, with Glasshouse and Kilnemar Lakes,
the latter containing ancient crannog. House open weekends
during summer.
Drumeela
Carrigallen
Contact:
Geraldine Kells
Tel:
+353 (0)49 4333340
The Leitrim Genealogy Centre has been set up to deal with
enquiries from people who want to trace their Leitrim
ancestors. The difficulty faced by many people who travelled
from many lands to trace their Leitrim ancestors was that
source material was scattered throughout the county and
elsewhere. All the available sources have now been gathered
in one place and the Leitrim Genealogy Centre and the
Leitrim County Library have combined to provide a full
time professional genealogy service for County Leitrim.
Experienced researchers carry out research at the centre.
Enquiries can be dealt with by calling the centre or by
writing giving all available details.
The
Leitrim Genealogy Centre
County
Library, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim
Tel
: +353 (0)71 96 44012
Fax:
+353 (0)71 96 44425
Open:
Monday-Friday 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm
The
Leitrim Design House is a retail showroom/gallery which
is a permanent showcase for Leitrim's craftspeople and
artists designing for interiors. It offers a range of
elegant,distinctive yet practical interior designs to
suite every room in your home. Making an impact is a
speciality and the use of excellent design and quality
materials combine to produce stunning interiors reflecting
traditional and contemporary craft in the 21st century
The
Organic Centre is located in the unspoiled countryside
of North Leitrim just eight miles from Manorhamilton.
This is Ireland's leading center for education and information
on organic framing and gardening. Our demonstration
gardens which contain a hertage garden, a children's
garden, a taste garden, a willow sculpture area, geese,
ducks, hens, kerry cows and many other attractions have
become a major visitor attraction in the North West.
Why not call in an visit our gardens which are open
to the public seven days a week, learn a little about
organic growing on one of our short courses or buy some
organic herbs and vegetables from our shop.
Glenview Folk Museum is a private
collection of over 3000 antiques, historical and novel
items ranging from pre famine Ireland. There is an impressive
array of farmyard equipment. A collection of horse drawn
agricultural machinery and a thrasher. A street scene
has a number of reconstructed shops and a pun. These
are stocked, filled and equipped, as they would have
existed in the past. A Large set of tradesmen's tools
on display indicative of the skill and the ingenuity
of past owners.
A varied collection of household
items such as butter making equipment, lamps, furniture,
utensils and papers are on display. This collection
also includes coins, ledgers, registers, posters, newspapers
and other memorabilia from the past.
Glencar Waterfall which is situated 11km west of Manorhamilton
served as an inspiration to Willam Butler Yeats and is
mentioned in his poem "The Stolen Child". The waterfall
is impressive and can be viewed from a lovely wooded walk.
Picnic facilities are also provided.
This wood, just north of Dromod, has a picnic site, car
park and access to the River Shannon. It was the seat
of Lord Harlic but the house is now demolished.
For those wishing to take advantage of the picturesque
beauty of the woodland walks and scenic views across Upper
Lough Macnean, Glenfarne Forest is ideal. It is situated
in North Leitrim, half a mile from the N16 and within
easy reach of Sligo, Bundoran and Enniskillen. There are
marked walks of varying distances with spectacular views
of Lough MacNean. The Forest also has a boat quay, with
boat hire available locally and a picnic site. The lake
is excellent for coarse fishing.
Situated 1km north-west of Manorhamilton on the Lurganboy
road, the wood has traces of an old mill race which gave
the area its name. There are picnic areas and walks in
the wood.
Lavagh Forest, Drumkeerin
Lake Garadice Amenity Area
Corry Strand - Amenity strand on Lough Allen
Acres Lake Amenity Area, Drumshanbo
Supported by ADM / CPA
through the Special Support Programme for
Peace & Reconciliation, Leitrim County Council, Leitrim County Enterprise
Board350
Arigna Leader ll and the Tourism Industry.