Just look at that view, it is beautiful isn’t it?
Carrigallen is located in County Leitrim, Ireland. Leitrim is a landlocked county with an abundance of lakes for fishing. The rural landscape and green fields are so beautiful. Carrigallen is located over 1 hour and a half or so drive from Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. You can also fly into Dublin and Knock as well as Shannon to get there. You do need a car, so make sure you get a rental car. You can get a train from Dublin to Longford and coaches from Dublin and elsewhere to Cavan. However, you will need a taxi. So car rental is the best bet.
Carrigallen is the real Ireland, to me, this is a laidback way of Irish life, nothing is a rush and there are local farms nearby and lovely walks to be had. I have spent alot of my life on holiday there as my family are from there. The people are so friendly too.
Did you know that the first statue of a woman in USA was for Margaret of New Orleans, a Carrigallen native? She emigrated and helped the poor and had made a contribution in New Orleans. Her statue in Italian marble was erected in 1884 in New Orleans.. You can visit a lovely thatched cottage called Margaret’s Cottage which can be visited by appointment only http://www.margaretsbirthplace.com.
Carrigallen has a wonderful community feel and have a local gaelic football team called Carrigallen GFC.
There are lots of different pubs which offer a warm Irish welcome. I’d recommend Eugene’s for the Guinness. If Eugene, the landlord is there, he can show you how to pour a pint of Guinness and is a great photo opportunity. There’s a roaring fire to welcome you and the landlord Eugene is a character, he is great at reciting prose. He also has his own artwork for sale.
The Kilbracken Arms Hotel is the only hotel in the town, the restaurant is great for lunch and dinner. There is accommodation also. I’ve had great meals there, the soup is lovely for lunch and the menu is extensive and the portions are great. The Kilbrackan Arms Hotel | Bar | Restaurant – Carrigallen, Co Leitrim, Éire
Mitchells Bar has live music such as Country music and the food again is very good and great portions. There is accommodation too . You can find accommodation there on booking.com and on Airtbnb.
There are an abundance of bed and breakfasts and accommodation for the fisherman or one who wants to attend the Corn Mill Theatre.
Here are some recommendations and I have stayed in all of them. Great Irish hospitality and a great Irish welcome.
Greenville:Greenville House Bed & Breakfast, Carrigallen (greenvillehousebandb.com)
Allendale: Allendale B&B | Carrigallen, Co Leitrim, Ireland Phone +353(0)86 8966973 (allendalebandb.com)
Carrigallen has lots of artistic and musical talent and this can be seen in The Corn Mill Theatre which has won the All Ireland Drama Final Award a few times. National acts appear also.
There is a fantastic music scene in Carrigallen and the talent is out of this world. Carrigallen is home to authors too and a famous local lad called Seamus O’Rourke, he’s written beautiful poetry and a novel called Standing in Gaps about growing up in rural Leitrim, it’s a great read. Home – Seamus O’Rourke (seamusorourke.com)
There is a folk night in Charley Farrelly’s Pub on the Main Street on the first Friday of every month which is fantastic. Local talent with song and prose appear and it is a wonder to be had. You can see the talent on Youtube under Charley Farrelly’s. All types of music and it’s always a good night out. You feel culturally invigorating and maybe inspired to sing yourself! Visitors are welcome to join in also. Charley Farrelly’s is owned by Cathal Farrelly and his pub is quirky and has a railway snug and theatre seats from the Corn Mill theatre. In Charley Farrelly’s there are some local historical news articles and is an ode to Carrigallen.
Carrigallen has plenty of lakes to fish in and the accommodation links above do great packages. Please enquire!
Not far from Carrigallen is Mohill where there is a statue of Turlough O’Carolan the famous harpist who lived there. Another place to visit is a lovely hotel called Lough Rynn ! Castle Hotels Ireland, Irish Castle Hotels, Hotels in Leitrim | Lough Rynn Castle There are lovely gardens and views and a nice lunch menu!
Another place to visit is Carrick on Shannon, you can go on boat trips along the river Shannon! Home – Moon River
Carrigallen isn’t far from Northern Ireland, a good 30 mins drive or more. One place to visit is : Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail (Stairway To Heaven) (marblearchcaves.co.uk), I’ve been to the Marble Caves with family which was fun to visit. The Stairway to Heaven is a beautiful place to visit, wrap up warm and enjoy the beautiful views.
After a day of touring the wonderful county of Leitrim, come back to Carrigallen, pull up a seat at the bar and have some wonderful food and conversation and get some tips from the locals!
Carrigallen is a great place to visit to recharge, reset and be in the countryside. A car is advised, so make sure you book a car and you can tour Lovely Leitrim. There’s a famous song called Lovely Leitrim and you must listen to Dervish and Eleanor Shanley who is from Leitrim. Have a listen
Check out my photographs of Leitrim on my website: https://shewholovesadventure.picfair.com
Get booking! Enjoy Leitrim!