With just 72 hours to spare there is so much you can pack into a visit to the north of Leitrim. You will find majestic mountains, stunning lakes and rushing waterfalls with lots of things to do and see and great places to stay and eat. Whether you are interested in the great outdoors, history and heritage, or arts and culture, our recommendations will help you plan your next adventure.
Your itinerary
Day 1:
Based in Manorhamilton on your first day, a busy market town, make sure to follow the heritage trail which takes you through the historical aspects of the town. Finishing at Manorhamilton Castle why not have a coffee at the onsite Fulachta Fiadh café and then take a tour of the castle itself which was once the home of Sir Fredrick Hamilton.
Then head west towards Glencar and the waterfall made famous by William Butler Yeats in ‘The Stolen Child’. Grab a quick coffee and cake at Glencar teaSHED before heading back towards Manorhamilton stopping off at Milltown Woods for a walk along the way. There a number of walks here of varying lengths which are centred around the village
Day 2:
Start today at Tullaghan, Leitrim’s 4km coastline, the shortest coastline of any county in Ireland. Here, enjoy the far-reaching views out over the Atlantic where, on a clear day you can see all the way to Sliabh Liag in Donegal. Then head towards Kinlough where you can visit the Eco Park on the shores of Lough Melvin where there are walking trails, picnic and play areas and a carpark. Leaving here your next stop on the way to Rossinver is Fowley’s Falls where the Glenaniff river cascades over a series of levels and flows on down to Lough Melvin. This waterfall is spectacular especially after rain.
From here you can walk or take the short drive to The Organic Centre. Here you can while away the morning amongst the polytunnels and vegetable gardens where you will discover new varieties. Explore the orchards, willow gardens and sensory gardens, learning as you go. There are activities for all the family and if you are there on the weekend delicious vegetarian food at the Centre’s Roof Top Café
South for our next stop The Rainbow Ballroom of Romance in Glenfarne where you can visit the showband exhibition and travel back in time to dance under its famous glitterball using Ireland’s only Virtual Reality showband experience. Return to Manorhamilton where you can spend your evening having dinner at one of the tradition Irish pubs with welcoming Leitrim hospitality
Day 3:
Leaving Manorhamilton head south for Dromahair and on the way stop on Lough Gill where you can either take a tour of Parkes Castle, a 17th century restored plantation castle and learn about the Parkes family. Or you can enjoy your time on the Rose of Innisfree Tourboat where you will experience some of the most spectacular scenery and onboard commentary which highlights the poetry of WB Yeats and tells of the history, culture, myths and legends of the area. Maybe you can do both. After a busy morning drive the short distance to Dromahair where The Village Tearooms on the banks of the River Bonet will provide a delicious lunch.
Following lunch take a walk along local Greenway which takes you around the village. The first 1.25km is along the old Sligo Leitrim Northern Counties Railway (SLNCR). From there you go along minor public roads to Creevelea Abbey. From the Abbey you go along the path beside River Bonnet into Dromahair village. From the village there are footpaths that take you back to the start of the walk.
A further option here in Dromahair is to take a canoe trip with Adventure Gently who will will take you on a guided trip along one of Ireland’s enchanting waterways in Canadian Canoes.
Your visit to Dromahair completes your 72 hours in the north of county Leitrim where the magic of the county helps you to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of all that surrounds you.
Stay & Eat
Place to Stay:
- W8 Holiday Village Manorhamilton,
- Alder Cottage, Dromahair
- Ard Nahoo Eco Cabins, Dromahair
- Tawnylust Lodge, Manorhamilton
Places to Eat:
- Osta at W8 Manorhamilton,
- The Courthouse Restaurant Kinlough
- The Loft Manorhamilton
- Gurn’s Milestone Bar Manorhamilton
Don’t forget to check our our interactive Leitrim Map for more places to see and for more places to stay and eat see our selection of Accommodation and Food and Drink