If you are looking for a fantastic family holiday look no further than Leitrim. With an adventure around every corner and a friendly welcome wherever you go, the whole family can enjoy the trip of a lifetime.
Leitrim in located in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and has so many indoor and outdoor adventures just waiting to be discovered, picnics & playparks, waterfalls and castles, animal encounters, adventure parks, water activities and so much more.
Our itinerary will help you to customise, plan, and get the most out of your family-friendly and breathtaking adventure.
Your itinerary
Day 1: Drumshanbo
Around a 30-minute drive from Manorhamilton you will find the town on Drumshanbo. This is home to the first floating boardwalk in Ireland, the kids will love walking on water and watching the dragonflies darting about on Acres Lake. Electric Bike Trails in Leitrim Village will make sure you have a day to remember on the fantastic Shannon Blueway. Collect your bike from Electric Bike Trails in Leitrim Village. They have a variety of bikes, suitable for all ages (regular bikes, family friend bikes and electric bikes). Enjoy an easy 20km round trip exploring the Blueway. Discover the history and heritage of the area through an engaging audio-visual display at Sliabh an Iarainn Visitor Center, Drumshanbo
Take a dip at Drumshanbo Outdoor Swimming Pool at Acres Lake. This is one of the few heated outdoor pools in Ireland. Open seasonally, so check the website for details. For adrenaline-fuelled watersports check out Lough Allen Adventure. An unforgettable experience for all the family. Choose from windsurfing, kayaking and more. Walk on water with Leitrim Surf Company who will take you out on a 2-hour stand up paddle from Lough Allen and Acres Lake. Great for beginners, instructor Lee only takes small groups and will have you up and ‘paddling’ in no time.
Explore Leitrim by horseback at The Moorlands Equestrian Centre . Enjoy a scenic off-road trek or a cross-country ride-out with horses and treks to suit all abilities. Open all year round and catering for all abilities, including those with additional needs. Cast a line with a spot of Fishing. Leitrim is rightly recognised as one of the top angling destinations in Ireland and even Europe. Download the Leitrim Angling Guide for more information.
Go underground at Arigna Mining Experience one of Ireland’s top 10 list of attractions, and a short drive from Drumshanbo. Open 7 days per week, all year long. You’ll enjoy an underground tour, guided by an ex-miner, complete with sound and lighting effects for an authentic mining experience. Fully accessible and ideal for a rainy day – but bring your coat as it gets chilly underground! There’s also a café specialising in home cooking
Day 2: Wild Atlantic Way
Our first suggestion is to visit the waterfall at Glencar. Glencar Waterfall features in the poetry of WB Yeats and is well worth a visit. You can enjoy a short family friendly walk, check out the award-winning playground, or enjoy coffee at the TeaShed. A short distance away is the Devil’s Chimney which is the tallest waterfall in Ireland. The walk to view the waterfall is approximately 1.5km and is on gravel paths, mainly uphill, through farmland and forestry. In the right conditions, you will be rewarded with views of this magnificent waterfall, which only flows after heavy rain and can also blow upwards in windy weather. Benbulben Forest Walk which is approx. 1.5 hrs gets you up close to Benbulben Mountain and on this looped walk there are breath-taking views of Sligo, Donegal and Leitrim. All walks are signposted.
If you love animals check out Atlantic Sheepdogs, Streedagh. This is an award-winning experience that all the family can enjoy, as you watch the clever dogs rounding up sheep. Just down the road is Streedagh Beach, a 3km sandy beach with stunning views of the Wild Atlantic Way coastline.
Ever wanted to walk an alpaca? Now you can. Atlantic Way Alpaca Farm, Grange is a family-run farm, where you can enjoy a walk with a difference. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Booking by appointment only. Five Star Fun in Grange is a modern and exciting play and party centre. It is perfect entertainment for the younger ones. Loads of fun for ages 3 and over and no worries about the weather as it’s indoors.
Then grab the buckets and spades and head to Mullaghmore. Benbulben Mountain and Classiebawn Castle provide a backdrop to this seaside village. Go on a sea life safari with Offshore Watersports where you can spot a variety of sea birds and maybe even dolphins and whales. You can also choose an adventure such as scuba diving, sea fishing, water sports.
If you want a scenic drive head to The Gleniff Horseshoe which is a 9.5 km loop surrounded by spectacular mountain views. Just to note the land around the loop is private. Lough Melvin Eco Park in Kinlough is the perfect spot for families, the eco-park is beautifully situated on the shores of Lough Melvin. It has forest trails perfect for adventure and exploration, a playpark, and a community garden. Fowley’s Falls in Rossinver are well worth the visit where at the end of a 3km forest walk you will find the waterfalls, a series of cascades that form a spectacular torrent of water rushing towards Lough Melvin. The Organic Center, Rossinver is close to Fowley’s Falls. The centre is a great location for all the family to visit. Check out the sensory garden, butterfly trail, purpose-built play area or go on a bug hunt. They also host regular courses, workshops, and special day events. Open all year.
Day 3: Explore Dromahair
Explore Dromahair
A day to remember on the stunning Lough Gill either by boat or Canadian Canoe, visit a castle and enjoy a lovely riverside walk to a Franciscan friary.
See Lough Gill from the water in a Canadian canoe with Adventure Gently. No experience in canoeing necessary as your guides, Adrienne and Graham have a wealth of experience. Suitable for children over 5 and pre-booking is essential.
Or sit back and relax on The Rose of Innisfree. Captain George will tell you the history of the Lake, Leitrim, Sligo and W. B. Yeats. Suitable for all ages. Booking essential.
On the shores of Lough Gill, you will find Parke’s Castle. This is a restored 17th Century plantation castle, with a tower and a courtyard. There is a permanent exhibition of artefacts. Open daily from late March to October, there are guided tours every hour and a small entrance fee. The castle grounds are great, perfect for a picnic.
Discover Trolls at, Cartron (Troll) Wood, Dromahair. Close to Parke’s Castle is a lovely forest walk that will enchant all the family as they go on a hunt for trolls. There are various signs along the way warning of these elusive creatures.
Enjoy a short forest walk from Dromahair village across the River Bonet to the ruins of Creevelea Abbey, this Franciscan Friary dates back to 1508, and is well worth a visit.
Day 4: Discover Bundoran
Discover Bundoran
This busy seaside resort is just a 25 min drive from Manorhamilton and a 5-minute drive from Tullaghan, Co, Leitrim. Right in the centre of town is the main beach. It is the perfect beach for rock pools, lifeguard supervised swimming (times vary so check before swimming). Waterworld is child friendly with a toddler pool, wave slide, umbrella and aqua blue slide and the fastest indoor waterslide in the country!
Enjoy all the fun of the fair at the Bundoran Adventure Park you must try the huge fairground wheel which dominates the town skyline. There are a variety of fairground rides for all ages as well as candy floss, popcorn and more.
Bundoran Amusements & Bowling is situated on the main street of Bundoran with 2-floor levels of amusements. Includes 10 pin bowling and family amusements with kiddies’ rides area and so much more.
Beaches close to Leitrim
Tullan Strand (above) is a popular 2km beach stretching from the north end of Bundoran to Ballyshannon. A popular spot for surfers and walkers with panoramic views over Donegal Bay, loads of dunes and a scenic backdrop of Sligo – Leitrim Mountains. Not far is Rougey Walk where you can see the Fairy Bridges or make a wish on the Wishing Chair.
Streedagh Beach (32 min drive from Manorhamilton) is another 3km sandy beach with stunning views of the Wild Atlantic Way coastline. The sandbar is overlain by sand dunes and full of thriving wildlife. The perfect peaceful haven. Ideal for surfing, windsurfing and stand up paddleboarding in its sheltered estuary.
Rossnowlagh (41 min drive from Manorhamilton) is a 2.5 km wide sandy beach with soft golden sand, exceptional views. Located in the lovely little Rossnowlagh village with surfing schools. Perfect for swimming, walking and sailing too.
Day 5: Adventures Nearby
Adventures Nearby
Eagles Flying in Sligo (39 mins from Manorhamilton) is Irelands largest sanctuary for raptors and owls. This is an amazing day out for all the family, you will learn all about these beautiful birds. You can also pet and feed the animals in the Pet-Zoo. In case of rain, the shows can be presented indoors.
Lough Key Forest & Activity Park in Roscommon (46 mins from Manorhamilton) has a world of excitement, adventure and fun for all the family. An award-winning activity park with vast woodlands, tree canopy walk and underground tunnels. Younger kids will love the Adventure Play Kingdom, older kids will love the Boda Borg challenge. You can hire electric bikes, Segways or boats. If you have a head for heights try Zipit – suitable for 7 years upwards.
Marble Arch Caves (below) and Stairway to Heaven in County Fermanagh (29 mins from Manorhamilton). Marble Arch Caves is host to one of Europe’s finest show caves. Visitors can explore a fascinating, natural underworld of rivers and waterfalls, The Stairway to Heaven (Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail) is a linear walk that is 6km in total. This is a strenuous walk, possibly better suited to families with older children. The views on this walk are breathtaking
Don’t forget to check our our interactive Leitrim Map for more places to see near Manorhamilton and for places to stay and eat see our selection of Accommodation and Food and Drink