County Leitrim information

County Leitrim is situated in the Northwest Ireland and Lakelands. It is the least densely populated county in Ireland and until recently its population was still declining. It is place of poor land, large lakes and hills. It is not without charm but it has known a lot of poverty and isolation. It is named after the village of Leitrim.

Image: County Leitrim

The county is almost divided by Lough Allen. North of the lake the land is mostly mountain and bog. South of the lake lies the River Shannon, and human activity is more dominant. Straight out of a fairy tale.

Towns

Below you will find a list of towns within County Leitrim. If a Further information link is available, please click on it to find detailed information including accommodation, restaurants, bars, pubs, shops and more...

Carrick-on-Shannon - the county town and the largest town, although it has a population of under 5000.

Drumshanbo - a small town at the end of Lough Allen and at the head of the Shannon navigation.

Manorhamilton - is the only settlement of any size in north Leitrim and is set at the junction of 5 glens on the Sligo-Enniskillen road.

Mohill - a small town situated between Ballinamore and Longford.

Ballinamore - one of the largest and busiest towns.

Dromahair - a pretty village on the edge of Loch Gill.

Places to visit

Sliabh an Iarainn Visitor Centre - illustrates the historical development of transport and industry in the region.

The North Leitrim Glens - The seven delightful green glens of this region are Glencar, Glenfarne, Glenaniff, Glenboy, Glenkeel, Gleniff and Glenade.

Lough Rynn House and Gardens - Lakeside house with ornamental gardens and nature trail.

Parke's Castle - A restored plantation castle of the early 17th century, picturesquely situated on the shores of Lough Gill, once the home of Robert Parke and his family. The Courtyard grounds contain evidence of an earlier 16th century Tower House structure once owned by Sir Brian O'Rourke who subsequently was executed at Tyburn, London in 1591. The Castle has been restored using Irish oak and traditional craftsmenship. Access for visitors with disabilities to ground floor.

Glencar Waterfall - Celebrated by the poet W.B. Yeats