County Leitrim

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.

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.

• 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.

The northern half of the county is more mountainous and offers good walking among limestone hills. Manorhamilton is a good base as is Sligo town.

Further south the Shannon is the dominant feature. Most of the river is navigable and is linked by canal to the river Erne navigation in Northern Ireland, so there is enough waterway for extensive touring.

• Great for Traditional Irish Music • Fia F.