AROUND THE AREA

Gardens

Jamestown Town Gate

Jamestown was founded by Sir Charles Coote in 1625 and was occupied by O'Rourke in 1642. Little remains of the town wall except the old town gate through which the modern Dublin-Sligo road passes, and which had its arch removed in the 1970s.

Swan Island Open Farm

 Canals

Ballinamore/Ballyconnell Canal

Built between 1845 and 1856 as a joint navigation/drainage project and also as a famine relief scheme during the Great famine of 1845-49. It joins the Shannon at Leitrim village to the Erne at Aghalane. The locks were built between 1850-52. At Ballinamore there was a quay popularly known as the 'basin' which was attached to the nearby markethouse which took the business of the canal. It took fourteen years to build the original canal at a cost of IR274,272. Restoration of this waterway started in 1991 and was completed and opened for navigation in 1994. It is now one of the most modern waterways in Europe (push button automatic locks) and weaves through an area rich in unspoilt natural beauty.

Lakes

Garadice Lake

One of the largest lakes in Leitrim. It's islands contain the ruins of an O'Rourke castle, Myles 'the slasher' Castle and a 17th Century Church. Nearby in a ring fort in Darraugh townland, sun god called Crom Cruaich, who was eventually destroyed by St. Patrick.

Mountains

Sliabh An Iarainn Visitor Centre

A number of particularly important features of the area are given special treatment. Mining of Coal and Iron Sweathouses The Cavan and Leitrim Railway Coal & Mining Heritage: The Arigna area of Roscommon and the adjacent mountains of Co Leitrim were famous for coal and iron mining. From as early as the 15th century iron was mined in the area. Coal mining became more prominent in the 19th century. Sweathouse: The Lough Allen area is the home of the sweat house. Sweathouses were used as a cure for aches and pains, somewhat similar to the modern sauna. Built of stone with a small opening or doorway, a big turf fire would be lit for hours inside. When it was sufficiently hot, the fire was removed quickly and the patient crawled into the sweathouse and sat on a bundle of rushes or straw. When he or she had sweated sufficiently they emerged and took a dip in a running stream. The centre has a reconstruction of a sweathouse with realistic background and setting. While in the area you can also visit a real sweathouse. In July 1990, centuries of a mining tradition ended with the closure of the last of the coal mines. The centre has a display depicting miners at work and tells the story of the one and only great industry of the area. The Cavan & Leitrim Railway: The Cavan and Leitrim railway was one of the most memorable systems in Ireland. It ran on a narrow gauge line and linked the Leitrim towns of Drumshanbo, Mohill and Ballinamore. For most of the journey between Drumshanbo and Ballinamore it ran alongside the public road and crossed at a number of bends. Despite many protests the railway closed in 1959. The centre has a re-creation of a ticket and waiting room as well as many fine pictures of the railway.

Water Falls

Glencar Waterfall Amenity Area

Woods and Forests

Derrycarne Wood (Doire Carna)

Derry is the old Irish name for oak wood and it is thought that the area north of Lough Bofin was covered in oak at one time. Today beech and oak are the main species while there are also pine, birch, willow, hornbeam, old Douglas fir and Sitka spruce. Facilities: Car park, picnic site, walks, access to the Shannon.

 Scenic Drives

Where the river Shannon Flows

CARRICK-ON-SHANNON World famed now as headquarters of cruising on the longest river in these islands (256 km). Leitrim's picturesque county town also has a fine marina, good angling and has won an award as one of Ireland's most attractive riverside towns. BOYLE Bestrides the Boyle River which links Lough Gara and Lough Key. The very scenic district contains the well-conserved remains of the 12th century boyle Cistercian Abbey and many archaeological sites. Also golf and fishing. LOUGH KEY Has a multiplicity of attractions, the forest Park a caravan and camping park, restaurant, bog gardens and magnificent scenery, best seen from Doon shore. Cruising, fishing etc. BALLINAFAD Nestling at the foot of the Curlew Mountains at the south end of Lough Arrow , noted for mayfly fishing. The Curlews, by their position across main routes, were the scene of may Gaelic tribal fights. CASTLEBALDWIN Nearby Hollybrook was the scene of the romantic adventures of the "Colleen Bawn" Detour for the prehistoric cemetery in the Bricklieve mountains and the caves of Kesh to Ballymote, another angling centre. LOUGH ARROW Scenic drive along the east shore, where boats can be hired for the excellent game fishing. KEADUE Carolan, the famous bard , spend his final years here and was buried at Killronan cemetery on the shore of Lough Meelagh. This lovely area also contains St Laisar's well , Cross Alts cascade and the ruins of Kilronan castle. ARIGNA There are working coal mines in this district. The road over the mountains to Ballintogher traverses wild and beautiful scenery. BALLINTOGHER. Quiet village near Slish Wood which overlooks Lough Gill and the Lake Isle of Innisfree. DROMOHAIR Charming village with pretty brightly painted houses and interesting architecture. DRUMKEERAN Near Lough Allen, first of the Shanon's great lakes, which divides county leitrim in half. Seven miles long and three wide, the lake is noted for big pike. Coal from Arigna powers the electricity station on the west shore. DRUMSHANBO Annual venue of the an Tostal Festival Acres lake has a fine marina with outdoor heated swimming pool. A busy market town and angling centre. BALLINAMORE Dominated by Slieve An Iarainn and Bencroy, Leitrims, highest peaks, this friendly town is (like Ballyconnell ) on the ancient canal that developers dream of joining the Shannon to the Erne. Short detour to historic Fenagh Abbey. NEWTOWNGORE Near Garadice Lake, venue of national angling championships. CARRIGALLEN Pleasant town in the heart of the Leitrim Lakeland with its unlimited fishing. MOHILL Busy market town and angling centre close to pretty Lough Rinn DROMOD Twice voted Leitirm's tidiest town. ROOSKY A popular stopping place for Shannon cruisers. DRUMSNA Once an important trading centre on the Shannon but now noted for its wood-carving industry . Anthony Trollope was briefly a postal official in the village. JAMESTOWN An historic village with an impressive gateway and remnants of defensive walls It was incorporated as a borough by James I in 1612. Two miles from Carrick-on-Shannon.

Ballinafad is situated about 20 miles southeast of Sligo Town. A picturesque village at the foot of the Curlew Mountains it lies on the shore of Lough Arrow. There is a small castle of the Curlieus which can be found in the village. One of the few limestone lakes in Connaught, measuring 3,123 acres, Lough Arrow contains four main islands named Anaghgonda, Inismore, Inisbeg and Much Island.

Ballinadoon Abbey

Ballindoon Abbey is located on the shore of Lough Arrow. This is a Dominican Priory built
in Middle English Gothic style founded by the McDonaghs in 1507.Terence McDonagh was buried here in 1713 and the inscription on his grave reads thus.

Terence MacDonagh lies within this grave
That says enough for all that's Generous, Brave Faceitous, Friendly, Witty, Just and Good
In the Lov'd name is fully understood
For it includes what ever we Virtue call
And is the Hieroglyphic of them all.

He maintained an active political role in Irish history, as the only Catholic in an influential position when the Penal Laws were introduced to reinforce Protestant ascendancy in Ireland. He practiced law until 1692 and helped many families, such as the O'Connors and O'Rourkes to hold onto their hereditary possessions and lands.

The Abbey contains a church with a central tower and a belfry overlooking the lake. The central tower has six arched openings to the nave, the two central of which open to the chancel. The upper storey may be reached by a hazardous stone stairway on the outer wall, leading to the gallery with a high central arch where a crucifix may have been suspended .The tower may have been living accommodation at one time, there is also an interesting stone carved rose on the floor. Despite continued persecution, under English rule, the Dominicans remained in the area for centuries. Friars lived in isolation on the bog in a ruined cabin 2 miles west of the abbey and only used the abbey for Mass, even during the troubled Penal days , so committed were they to their faith. The Abbey was granted to the King family of Boyle and Rockingham in 12889355.

Heapstown Cairn - The Well of Slaine

One of the largest and most ancient monuments in Ireland, this 'Heap of Stones' measures 63 metres diameter and dates back to 3,000-1,700 A.D. Thought to be a passage grave, perhaps the grave of Ailill , the son of Eochaid Mugmedon and the brother of 'Niall of the Nine Hostages', both of whom were high Kings of Ireland. This tomb remains unexcavated although many stones have been removed from the mound.

Lough na Sool

This lake gets its name from Irish mythology, the word 'suil' meaning eye. Balor of the Evil Eye, a Formorian warrior, was killed during the Battle of Moytura when a stone cast by the enemy Tuatha took the eye out of his head and it landed nearby forming a crater. Being a gigantic race of people this crater was such a size that it filled with water and formed this lake.

Moytura Court Tomb

This tomb is 44 feet long and 9 feet wide, thought to be stone age and dated at around 2,500 B.C. Widely known as the giants grave, it is divided into four parts by cross stones.

Clan Name

Ballinafad is part of the ancestral home of the McDermott, O'Donnell and O'Rourke and forms a stage of the Beara-Breifne Greenway which is based on the historic march of O'Sullivan Beara in 1603.

Moorlands Equestrian Centre

Moorlands Equestrian Centre is situated on the Southernmost tip of Lough Allen, the first lake on the river Shannon. It lies on the outskirts of Drumshanbo, a small town renowned for it's hospitality and warmth of welcome. This idyllic setting is dominated by Sliabh-An-Iarainn and the Arigna mountains both providing a host of hidden trails awaiting discovery. All stages catered for; children especially welcomed. Trekking, Hacking, Mountain Trails and Lake-side rides. Changing facilities, showers, toilets and coffee room. All riding equipment provided.