Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands

Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and its rural communities are as far away from fast-paced living as you can get.

With its rich mix of beautiful landscapes, rugged hills, soft bogs, peaceful lakes and vibrant townscapes, welcome to one of the most surprising and unspoilt parts of Ireland. Tap into the relaxed rhythm of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and uncover unexplored tracks and trails, beguiling Blueways, exciting waterside towns and picturesque rural villages.

Find experiences to suit you.

Here are just some suggestions for what you could see and do in the area:

Moon River Pleasure Cruiser
A boat tour is a wonderfully relaxing way to spend an afternoon in Leitrim. Boat tours operate on the River Shannon and Lough Gill.
National Famine Museum
Strokestown Park in Strokestown, County Roscommon is only a 25 minute drive from Carrick on Shannon. It is a unique visitor attraction comprising Strokestown Park House, a Georgian Palladian mansion, Gardens and the National Famine Museum.
Arigna Mining Experience
Close to Carrick on Shannon is the Arigna Mining Experience, which preserves the energy heritage of the Arigna Valley in County Roscommon. It is Ireland’s first Coal Mining Museum and as a visitor you will experience what working life was like underground in the mines.
Glencar Waterfall
Glencar Waterfall is famous for being an inspiration to Ireland’s greatest poet William Butler Yeats and features in his poem ‘The Stolen Child’.
Shed Distillery
Take an incredible journey into the heart of rural Ireland and the inner sanctum of The Shed Distillery, the home of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and other remarkable brands from the curious mind of PJ Rigney.

Uncover Carrick on Shannon

With its stunning views, cruising, bustling atmosphere, and award-winning restaurants, Carrick on Shannon offers something for everyone. Carrick on Shannon has it – so here’s how to spend 48 hours in the Leitrim town.

Plan Your Trip

Only a two hour drive from Dublin and close to Ireland West Airport – getting to Leitrim couldn’t be easier. The genuine sincerity and friendly nature of the Leitrim people guarantees a warm welcome and excellent hospitality. Find out more about getting here, places to stay and eat.

Plan your trip

Discover more of what Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands has to offer.

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Explore • Experience • Enjoy Leitrim

Glencar Waterfall in Leitrim as written about by WB Yeats in the Stolen Child

Places to go

Slow Adventure

Plan your trip

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This project received grant aid from Leitrim Local Community Development Committee under the Rural Development Programme which is financed by the Irish Government under the Rural Development Programme Ireland 2014-2020 and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in Rural Areas.