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A county to put a smile on your face, and a story to take home.

Culture & heritage

lakelands on it, in it!

famous faces

taste of Roscommon

rossie sayings

the rossies

great times together

2 | www.roscommon.ie

Famous FacesChris O’Dowd, Actor & Comedian

“Everything about Roscommon is home to me. There’s nowhere like it. It’s untouched by the cynicism of modernity, and has remained true to its identity through bubbles and dips. It’s no coincidence that it lies in the heart of Ireland, either. I love walking down to the Doon Shore in Boyle on summer mornings. And Stephen’s Day, when hot toddies are served up during the treasure hunt at Lough Key, remains my favourite time of my year.”

RoscommonA county to put a smile on your face, and a story to take home.

Welcome to Ireland under-the-radar. Welcome to sweet scenery and constant surprises. To fun and passionate people you’ll greet as strangers but leave as friends.

Welcome to striking scenery and enough visitor attractions to warrant our title as the ‘Playground’ of the West!

Pay a fl ying visit. Stay for weeks.• Whizz down a zip-line• Go fi shing• Cruise the Shannon• Walk ancient paths• Eat lamb• Lose yourself in a local

conversation

There’s no shortage of things to do. Or you could simply do nothing at all…

Did you know?

That natives include Percy French and Ireland’s fi rst President, Douglas Hyde?

Roscommon is almost entirely surrounded by water.

12Culture and Heritage

The Official Guide to Roscommon | 3

Famous FacesChris O’Dowd, Actor & Comedian

“Everything about Roscommon is home to me. There’s nowhere like it. It’s untouched by the cynicism of modernity, and has remained true to its identity through bubbles and dips. It’s no coincidence that it lies in the heart of Ireland, either. I love walking down to the Doon Shore in Boyle on summer mornings. And Stephen’s Day, when hot toddies are served up during the treasure hunt at Lough Key, remains my favourite time of my year.”

Looking for adventure? In Roscommon, you’ve come to the right place.

There’s no lamb in Ireland like Roscommon lamb. Forget Michelin Stars. This is food to put a smile on your face.

Lakelands,On it, In It!

contents

Taste Of Roscommon

8

16

Welcome to Roscommon

Whatever you do, for however long you stay, you’ll find Roscommon easy to get to and hard to leave. True characters and community spirit are just part of the Rossie DNA.

A county to put a smile on your face, and a story to take home.

Great Times Together 4

Lakelands, On it - In it! 8

Into Nature 10

Culture and Heritage 12

Historic Houses 14

Taste Of Roscommon 16

Ceol & Craic 18

Crafts & Shopping 20

Towns & Villages 22

Local Heroes 24

Community Tourism Centres 25

Roscommon GAA 26

‘Rossie’ Sayings 27

Map Of Roscommon 29


Why not meet the native and exotic animals at Glendeer visitor farm near Athlone or Tullyboy Farm near Boyle, where kids can kick back in the playground while Mum and Dad collapse into a cup of tea?

What about a family day out at Roscommon Racecourse, or a fishing trip on our abundant rivers and lakes?

Horse-riding, soft play centres, watersports on numerous lakes and cycling trails are some of the family-friendly options in a county just waiting to be your playground.


Roscommon is not only easy to get to

from all over Ireland; it’s easy to have fun once you get here!


Local Voices Phil O’ConnellGlendeer Pet Farm

“Eamonn and I opened Glendeer 21 years ago, and like many parts of the countryside here, it’s lovely and peaceful in the evening as the animals wind down after a busy day’s petting and feeding. It’s then that I love to stroll amongst them, listening to the different sounds of birds, insects and animals… including monkeys, wallabies, and Rio the Parrot! I’m so lucky to have it all on my doorstep.”

Try on a chieftain’s cloak or write with a quill at King HouseIn Roscommon, you can tour the Arigna Mines in the company of a miner who made his living squeezing into gashes in the rock. You can try on a chieftain’s cloak or write with a quill at King House - onetime barracks for the Connaught Rangers – in Boyle.

You can swing on Tarzan ropes at Zipit, Lough Key’s aerial adventure centre. And did you know Boyle was the birthplace of Maureen O’Sullivan, the Hollywood actress famous for playing Jane alongside Johnny Weissmuller’s Tarzan?

Did you know...

exhilarating

Add 350 hectares of woodland, braided with hiking trails. Throw in a tree canopy walk, old servants’ tunnels and an adventure playground.

Or what about climbing a cargo net or riding a BMX bike through Ireland’s first aerial trail activity course?

Now you’re talking. If you sat a family down and asked them to design the perfect place to revive, refresh and rewind, the result would look a lot like Lough Key Forest Park.

Imagine one of the most beautiful lakes in Ireland.

Local Voices Louise FitzpatrickLough Key Forest & Activity Park

“Roscommon is a gem of a county that has managed to upgrade itself into the 21st Century while still retaining all the loveable attributes of Old Ireland. It’s a place that would fulfil any foreign tourist’s image of what Ireland is about.”


In Roscommon, you’ve come to the right place.

Within minutes of arriving here, you could be windsurfing on Lough Ree, cycling the Suck Valley Way, or fishing some of the feistiest pike in the midlands.

Looking for adventure?


Lakes and RiversAnglers will have a field day on Roscommon’s rivers and lakes – and there’s golf, horse-racing, watersports in Rooskey and power boating on Lough Ree. Phew!

Like Horses?Then you’ll love the riding lessons at Roscommon Equestrian Centre just outside Roscommon Town, or hacking out from Lough Gara Stables, Boyle.

And More ?There is clay shooting, archery, falconry and a nature treasure hunt at Lough Gara too...

Fancy a Walk? The Arigna Miner’s Way is a 62km trail following a network of paths once used by workers in the Arigna coal mines.

You can hike for days through towns like Keadue and Ballyfarnon, stopping off at friendly B&B accommodation along the way, or simply dip into one of the shorter stretches along the route – whatever takes your fancy.

Into Wildlife?Or what about a gentler meander through St. John’s Wood and guided visits to Rindoon?


If you’re cruising, sailing or kayaking around Lough Ree, watch out for Hodson’s Pillar,

on a tiny islet in Hodson Bay. It’s said to mark the

geographical centre of Ireland.

Cut local voice Ben and replace with XXXXXX

Lakes and RiversAnglers will have a field day on Roscommon’s rivers and lakes – and there’s golf, horse-racing, watersports in Rooskey and power boating on Lough Ree. Phew!

Like Horses?Then you’ll love the riding lessons at Roscommon Equestrian Centre just outside Roscommon Town, or hacking out from Lough Gara Stables, Boyle.

And More ?There is clay shooting, archery, falconry and a nature treasure hunt at Lough Gara too...

Did you know...

explore

Local Voices

Richie O HaraBaysports

“Lough Ree, the Shannon and the miles of county Roscommon shoreline provide the most beautiful setting for invigorating and exhilarating watersports! I have the pleasure of working in and enjoying Roscommon’s natural amenities on a daily basis and am delighted to help all adventurers share in this enjoyment.”

Looking for an adrenaline

rush?If it’s adrenaline you’re after, try kayaking, sailing, raft-building at Baysports on Lough Ree.

Hurl yourself off a water trampoline, or go old-school and learn to row a currach.


For a landlocked county, Roscommon certainly has its fair share of water.

Bordering the River Shannon to the east, following the flow of the River Suck in the south-west, and spotted throughout with pleasure lakes, it is three-quarters bounded by water.

The result is one of Irish angling’s best-kept secrets. The Suck is renowned for its coarse fishing, with bream and roach plentiful in the 30 mile corridor linking Roscommon and Galway: The Suck Valley.

Irish pike fight hard too, and there’s no shortage of them in this river. How about fly-fishing for wild brown trout, casting off for rudd and tench in the River Boyle, setting up shop on the reedy shores of the Shannon, or dipping into the dozens of lakes surrounding Strokestown and Tulsk? The lakes don’t stop there, either.


Did you know... Roscommon is almost entirely surrounded by

water.


Think of Errit, a secret spot where locals have boated and fished for generations. Or Lough Key, lapping up against a forest park on the old Rockingham family estate, itself festooned with forest trails, camping pitches, a play kingdom and aerial trekking course.

Lough Ree is known for its coarse angling, but also for its boat tours, watersports

and heritage hot-spots. Think of Hare Island, where

Viking gold was found in 1802; Inchcleraun, where legend has it that Queen Maeve was killed; or Rindoon Castle – built by Normans to shore

up the invasion of Connaught, and today

home to an intriguing deserted town.

Hire a CruiserWhy not hire a cruiser and explore the wa-terways at your own pace? Potter along, cast off, stop to explore an old ruin, catch some summer music, cook on board or eat out in Rooskey, Lecarrow, Tarmonbarry or Athlone. The nine-to-five will seem very far away in-deed…

Did you know... Roscommon is almost entirely surrounded by

water.Local Voices Bodo FunkeAngling Services Ireland

“When I first visited Roscommon at the age of 11, you could say I fell in love. I come from Berlin, but the friendly people, the beautiful scenery, and the lakes and rivers - with their countless fantastic fishing opportunities - made a big impression. These memories were so special, in fact, I later chose Roscommon as my home. I met my wife here, we are bringing up our children here, and I am proud, delighted and thankful to be able to live in the county.”

Did you know... From Lough Allen to Shannonbridge,

Roscommon contains the longest stretch of the River Shannon of any

Irish county - following the west bank for almost one third of its length.


into natureRoscommon is truly undiscovered, a place where every highway and byway seems to deliver you far from the madding crowd.

Did you know... Sphagnum moss, covering much of the surface of Roscommon’s bogs, can hold up to 20 times its own weight in water. Without it, the bogs would not exist.

Did you know... That Roscommon is home to around

70 peat bogs?

All Images © John J Earley Msc.

From peat bogs to wildflower meadows, native woodlands to turloughs, lakes & marshes, it’s the perfect place to escape into the wild.In this unspoilt environment, nature lovers are spoiled for choice. 2,500 square kilometres of rolling landscape gives way to one revelation after another – whether you’re cycling country roads, fishing rivers, or simply sticking your nose in the nearest hedgerow…

Did you know... That whooper swan and golden plover spend their winters on its

turloughs, or that Roscommon wildlife ranges from hovering kestrels to

insect-eating sundew plants, mute swans and brimstone butterflies?



Green Heartlands Cycle Route Take the Green Heartlands Cycle Route, a gently undulating 217km course through farmland and forests, through bogs, rural villages and lakes – Roscommon in a nutshell. Or take The Suck Valley Way, following the River Suck for 100km as it meanders into East Galway. It’s another trail you can walk or cycle over a couple of days, or simply dip in and out of as you choose.

Lake O’Flynn Think of Lake O’Flynn, north of Ballinlough. This limestone lake is best-known for its boating, sailing and kayaking, but it’s also home to several looped walks. A short, 3.4km trail loops around the picnic area and outdoor gym, while the 6.4km Wild Goose Bog Walk brings walkers into the heart of the bog habitat. It’s also circled by a short and sweet cycle route.

Lough Key Forest Park Take Lough Key Forest Park, 350-hectares of parkland braided with walks and trails. Put one foot in front of the other, and within minutes you could lose yourself in a world of majestic trees, fairy bridges, 19th century follies and stunning lake views. Oh, and watch out for the otters…

Boyle’s historic trail The countryside isn’t the only place to walk. Boyle’s historic trail threads not just through old streets, buildings and monuments marking the history of Roscommon, but the history of Ireland, too. In Roscommon Town, there are two 4km Slí na Sláinte routes to follow.

Deserted Medieval Village You could follow a looped walk around the deserted medieval village at Rindoon. You could summit Sliabh Bán, go orienteering in Mote Park, explore the colour-coded walks around Kilronan Castle, or follow old miners’ pathways on the long-distance Arigna Miner’s Way and Historical Trail.

Get your boots on. Roscommon awaits…

Nothing beats wandering into another world.

And whether you’re a hardy hiker, a cyclist blowing off the cobwebs, or a Mum or Dad breaking out the buggy along a forest trail, Roscommon has

another world for you.

Best of all? They’re absolutely free.

All Images © John J Earley Msc. All Images © John J Earley Msc.


Roscommon isn’t just full of surprises today. It’s been throwing them up through a rich history.

Culture and heritage


High kings, stately houses, subterranean mine tours and a

jail reputed to have had the only hangwoman in Ireland - Lady

Betty – are just a taste of what lies in store.


Full Of Surprises Roscommon was the birthplace of Douglas Hyde (1860-1949), the first President of Ireland, who is commemorated at an interpretive centre in Frenchpark. It hosts a summer school celebrating local hero, Percy French, and it’s even the starting point on the epic Táin Trail, a 300-mile route tracing Queen Maeve’s quest to steal the Brown Bull of Cooley.

Queen Maeve’s royal seat was at Rathcroghan, where Rathcroghan Visitor Centre in Tulsk anchors a complex of over 200 archaeological sites today.

You’ll find a remarkably rich tapestry of Gaelic medieval settlement in the county, from Roscommon Castle to the deserted town of Rindoon. History buffs can visit the Drumanone Dolmen, one of the largest in Ireland, pore through the Derryglad Folk Museum’s collection of over 2,000 items, or the amazingly intricate memorial stones at St. Coman’s graveyard.

Arigna Mining ExperienceThen there is the Arigna Mining Experience, where visitors are taken on an underground tour guided by ex-miners. Whether working by candlelight, squeezing themselves into precarious gashes or pummelling the coal with pneumatic picks, theirs was one tough life. The world-class attraction doesn’t stop after evoking 400 years of mining, either. It traces the landscape right back through 350 million years of geology - to a time when this region of Roscommon was a conflux bigger than the Mississippi Delta.

At Trinity Island on Lough Key, legend says two trees grow entwined above the graves of Una Bhán MacDermott and Tomas Laidir Costello. The lovers were thwarted in life, when Una Bhán’s father banished her to Castle Ireland where she died of a broken heart. In his grief Tomas Laidir used to swim to the island every night to keep vigil at her grave. Eventually he got pneumonia and realising that he was dying requested that MacDermot allow him to be buried beside Una Bhan. His request was granted and thus the two lovers were belatedly united. Tradition says that two trees grew up over their graves, entwining together to form a Lovers Knot, standing guard over the site.

Did you know?

Local Voices Patricia Golden, ManagerUna Bhán Tourism

“At least once a day we answer the phone to “Hi, can I speak to Úna please......?” What proceeds is really quite funny and we begin to tell the person, “that unfortunately Úna cannot come to the phone just now, she is actually the main character in a beautiful local love story legend…”

Local Voices Maurice Cullen, Former MinerArigna Mining Experience

“The work was hard and laborious but the general form of the day was to get in there and get the job done. Now, our unique underground tour, guided by ex-miners, shows you the way of life in Ireland’s last working coal mine.”


Every house tells a story, and you’ll discover no end of tales and trivia within the walls of Roscommon’s four great heritage houses.But Clonalis, Strokestown Park, Castlecoote and King House go a little further, too. They also tell the story of Roscommon itself.

historic houses

Did you know... Clay pipes or duidin, made in

Knockcroghery, Co Roscommon, were famous all over the country

for over 300 years.

Castlecoote House

King House


Clonalis HouseClonalis House is the ancestral home of the O’Conor family, former kings of Connaught. Located just west of Castlerea, it dates in its current form from 1880, but the lands have belonged to the family for a history-making 1,500 years. A collection of over 100,000 items includes the O’Conor coronation stone and the harp once belonging to the great Turlough O’Carolan.

Castlecoote HouseCastlecoote House, setting for the annual Percy French Summer School, is an elegant Georgian pile bounded on three sides by the River Suck. The house stands on the site of a medieval castle originally developed by Sir Charles Coote, and has been restored to its former splendour by its current owners. Watch out for Joshua Reynold’s evocative portraits of the Gunning sisters - their family was rumoured to have won Castlecoote in a poker game in the 18th century.

King HouseVisitors can dip into stories of cattle raids, great banquets, murder trials and tragic romance at this graceful Georgian house in the heart of Boyle. The house dates from 1730, was originally built for the King family, and later served as a barracks for the Connaught Rangers. Recently the subject of a wonderful restoration, visitors can step into jail cells, beat drums and even try on a chieftain’s cloak in a series of interactive exhibits telling its story today.

Strokestown Park HouseStrokestown was laid out around this Georgian mansion built for the Mahon family, and its broad avenue today leads to a sensitively restored house full of original furnishings and fabrics. Highlights include guided tours that take in Ireland’s last surviving galleried kitchen amongst other rooms, a six-acre walled garden, and the National Famine Museum – whose exhibits centre around original documents and letters discovered during a restoration of the house in 1994.

Local Voices Marguerite O’Connor NashClonalis House

“Clonalis is a Historic House, but also a family home. It is the ancestral Home of the O’Conors - the last High Kings of Ireland and the traditional Kings of Connaught – but since Pyers and I moved here 30 years ago with our young family, we’ve been welcoming friends and guests from all parts of the world and encouraging them to enjoy what we love about Roscommon... the history, the flora, the bogs, the rivers, the birdsong and hospitable people who always have time for you.”

Roscommon suffered the most of any county during the Great Hunger, more people died or were deported than any other place in Ireland.

Did you know...

Roscommon’s Four Great Heritage Houses


There’s no lamb in Ireland like Roscommon lamb.

Roaming free in the fields, eating lush grass growing on limestone-rich soil, cared for with the true passion of farmers who understand their craft and their customers - whether the end result is served at a local restaurant or taken away to cook at home, the taste is uniquely sweet.

Ireland’s only lamb festivalRoscommon has the highest lamb output in Ireland. Little wonder Roscommon is home to Ireland’s only lamb festival – a celebration held every May not just to laud our lovely lamb, but as an excuse for a royal knees-up. Farm walks, kids’ cookery classes and shearing world record attempts are just the start of the boisterous events.

Food to put a smile on your faceDock your boat for a sizzling sirloin steak in Lecarrow, halibut gratin at Hodson Bay, or a creamy seafood chowder in Tarmonbarry. Grab a slap-up breakfast at a local B&B, a friendly meal at a family-run café, or a quick blast of pub grub.

But there’s a lot more than lamb on the menu. In Roscommon, you’ll find rare breed pigs, freshly-grown fruit, herbs and vegetables at numerous organic growers in the county and flourishing farmers’ markets throughout the county.

taste of Roscommon

Farmers Market in Boyle, Co. Roscommon


Ireland’s only lamb festivalRoscommon has the highest lamb output in Ireland. Little wonder Roscommon is home to Ireland’s only lamb festival – a celebration held every May not just to laud our lovely lamb, but as an excuse for a royal knees-up. Farm walks, kids’ cookery classes and shearing world record attempts are just the start of the boisterous events.

Like the sound of Roscommon’s foodie scene?Then you’ll love the recipes online at www.roscommon.ie

Local Voices Brendan AllenCastlemine Farm

“Drive through any part of Roscommon, and you’ll soon come across two farmers chatting. This is always more than a chat however; it’s a sharing of family values, knowledge and opinions.

“This culture of community is very special among Roscommon farmers - but it’s not just the farmers, or Roscommon’s farming land, that allows us to produce something special.

“It’s the desire in the Roscommon people, too. Desire for good food, and desire for the local economy.”

Did you know...

Roscommon has the highest lamb output in Ireland. It also hosts Ireland’s only lamb festival – a

celebration of great food, farming and community spirit during which you can exchange your euros for a special currency, Roscommon

Alternative Money (RAM)!

Local Voices Mary GleesonGleeson’s Townhouse

“To get a real taste for the county, Roscommon Lamb Stew is a must! Hearty portions swimming in a rosemary and thyme broth with veg, carrots and potatoes shoring up succulent chunks of lamb – it’s our much loved signature dish!”


ceol & craic

Roscommon has always known how to carry a tune. It’s no coincidence that

Roscommon is the birthplace of Percy French, Matt Molloy of The Chieftains, legendary

bodhrán player Frank McGann, and the burial place of harpist, Turlough O’Carolan.

Traditional Music SceneSeek out Roscommon’s traditional music scene in a cosy pub, kick back at Strokestown’s Féile Frank McGann, or take a show or workshop at the Roscommon Arts Centre, where events range from traditional singing lessons to cutting edge comedy and monster dance-offs.

Percy French Summer SchoolRoscommon hosts the annual Percy French Summer School, which takes place every July at Castlecoote House. Lectures, recitals, poems, monologues, music, drama and paintings celebrate the life and times of Roscommon’s famous songwriter.


Famous Faces

Percy French wasn’t just a memorable songwriter. Roscommon’s Renaissance man trained as a civil engineer and was active as an editor, concert promoter,

painter, poet and banjo player.

He even wrote the libretto for two comic operas, and played the leading role in both!

Did you know...

Ruth ScottDJ

“I’m always going on about my home county of Roscommon. I’m immensely proud of it. Its amazing scenery has some real hidden gems. Its lakes and woodedwalks are amongst Ireland’s finest. Everyone knows that nights out in thecounty are amazing but I promise you, the days out are even better.”

The county was also home to Turlough O’Carolan, who moved here with his family at the formative age of 14. Blinded by smallpox four years later, O’Carolan went on to carve out a legendary reputation as a travelling harpist. His grave is found beneath the Arigna Mountains at Keadue, where a Harp & Traditional Music Festival is held in his name every August.

Also worth travelling for is Boyle’s annual arts festival. A programme stuffed with classical and traditional music, literature, drama and children’s events has blossomed from a community vision into a summer

highlight. Watch out for the art exhibitions staged in spaces all over the town, too – the impromptu galleries range from retail units to Boyle Abbey and King House. Roscommon Drama Festival, held every March, is a much

anticipated celebration of local amateur drama from the length and breath of

county.

Of course, you don’t need the excuse of a festival to visit.

You’ll find music and craic in Roscommon, Castlerea and

other towns, waterfront ambience at mooring points along the River Shannon,

and warm hearths and great tunes at our toasty country pubs.

Encore, anyone?

Warm hearths and

great tunes at our toasty country

pubs.

Local Voices Sean BrowneHell’s Kitchen Bar and Railway Museum, Castlerea

“People are stunned to see a full sized Railway Locomotive crashed into the back wall of my pub. But my back yard was the perfect location for a railway museum. Today, I have the largest collection of privately-owned railway memorabilia on display in the country. Railway Buffs love it. My favourite artefact is the Ballaghaderreen to Kilfree Junction Staff, which was used on the line until the day it closed in 1963. It was the last outpost of steam locomotion in Ireland.”



Rossies love to shop but we love shops with character - the town street vibe, the chat at the counter, the personal touch, the trusted butchers, publicans and retailers, the quality goods and, of course… great bargains.

We also love our crafts – so many craftspeople live and work in Roscommon’s restful countryside. People like Michelle Fallon - knitting, sewing and running crafts courses from her cottage in Kilrooskey; Roscommon-born Úna Burke, whose

leather designs have been worn by Lady Gaga; or fibre artist Frances Crowe, weaving in her country studio in Fourmilehouse.

Serendipity lies at the heart of Roscommon shopping too.

crafts and shopping

Frances Crowe, Fibre Artist

Forget giant chain stores and soulless shopping malls.


Local Voices Una BurkeFashion Designer

“I feel so lucky to have grown up in an area of such natural beauty, where I had the freedom to explore and have adventures every day. It was so peaceful and serene, allowing my mind to roam freely and take time to appreciate everything from the tiniest insects to the tallest trees.

“I loved to spend my days on the swing outside our house, looking up at the treetops and the clouds imagining they were turning into fairytale things. I wandered the meadows picking such enormous bunches of wildflowers that I could often only barely fit both my hands around them. My dad, with his practical farmers’ eye, sometimes pointed out that some were weeds. I strongly disagreed.

“Living in a city now, I long for this space and freedom, so I try to get home as often as possible. My favourite Roscommon memories surround the beautiful Lough Key and so many summer days spent by her shores or in boats visiting the Islands for picnics with family and friends. I remember incredible summer sunsets over the lake, and wonderful frozen landscapes in the winter.”

Local Voices Michelle Fallon

“Roscommon is where I grew up and where I live. It’s where I learned to knit, to sew, to ride a bike, drive a car and bake a cake… all the important things that have stayed with me through my life! I lived in London for 16 years and spent my days dreaming about coming home, doing up my granny’s cottage and teaching sewing and knitting. Now I live that dream!”

Did you know...

Duídíns, or clay pipes, were crafted for use in Irish wakes. Filled with

twist tobacco, they were laid out for mourners, who enjoyed a smoke before breaking them into pieces to be tossed into the grave. In the 1800s, the industry employed over

100 people in Knockcroghery.

KnockcrogheryThink of Knockcroghery, the centre of a thriving clay pipe industry until the village was burned by the Black and Tans in 1921. Passing through today, you might pull in at Ethel Kelly’s Clay Pipe Centre to find a souvenir unlike any other – a clay pipe made from original moulds, bog buddies carved from turf, or hand painted Ogham wishes.


towns & villagesATHLEAGUE: Tucked into an S-curve on the River Suck, Athleague marks the starting point for a stage of the ‘Suck Valley Way’, a 60-mile long-distance walk incorporating part of the famous O’Sullivan Beara trail. The town is also a short distance from the Neolithic Castlestrange Stone.

ATHLONE: The largest town on the River Shannon stands on the boundaries of two counties - Westmeath and Roscommon. Its Anglo-Norman castle is just one of the tourist attractions at the gateway to Lough Ree, and the heart of Ireland itself.

BALLAGHADERREEN: Situated on the Mayo/Roscommon border, Ballaghaderreen is a busy Cathedral town located in a richly archaeological landscape near the source of the Lung River. On approach from the east, watch out for the former home of Ireland’s first President, Douglas Hyde.

BALLYFARNON: Roscommon’s most northerly village is set on the gushing River Feorish at the foot of Arigna Mountain. The great harpist Turlough O’Carolan is buried in nearby Kilronan Abbey, and his last home, Alderford House, is adjacent to the village.

BOYLE: Boyle is home to a 12th century abbey, the restored King House and the 4,000-year-old Drumanone dolmen. It’s not all ancient history, however. The old market town is home to a thriving summer arts festival and a Saturday farmers market drawing visitors from far and wide.

CASTLECOOTE: This picturesque village features the remains of a castle built by Sir Charles Coote, ‘President of Connaught’ during the rebellion of 1641. The castle towers now form part of Castlecoote House, a historic pile that hosts the annual Percy French summer school.

CASTLEREA: Enveloped in wooded countryside on the banks of the River Suck, Castlerea is the birthplace of William Wilde – father of Oscar. Clonalis house, ancestral home of the O’Conor family, who provided several high kings throughout Ireland’s history, lies just west of the town.

COOTEHALL: A beautiful village nestling at the foot of the old ‘Bawn’ beside the River Boyle, Cootehall is also close to the fairy hills of Sheemore and Sheebeg – the latter of which is

Roscommon is home to a number of historically and archaeologically significant

gems


reputed to be the burial ground of the great Irish mythical hero Fionn Mac Cumhaill.

ELPHIN: The Episcopal college at Elphin is believed to have been one of the first monasteries founded by St. Patrick – highlighting the religious significance of the town in pre-Reformation times. Nearby is the restored Elphin Windmill, built in 1720, and the oldest of its kind in Ireland.

FRENCHPARK: A small village on the N5 south-east of Ballaghaderreen, Frenchpark is famous as the birthplace of Douglas Hyde. Hyde was born in Ratra House, and went on to found the Gaelic League before becoming the first President of Ireland in 1938.

FUERTY: A small village in south-west Roscommon, Fuerty’s most famous son was St. Ciarán, who went on to found Clonmacnoise. It has had its tragedies, too – notably the slaying of 100 priests in a church in Cromwellian times. The Franciscan church still stands in a fascinating graveyard.

KEADUE: Sitting snug at the foot of the Arigna Mountains, Keadue is the burial place of legendary harpist Turlough O’Carolan, and hosts an annual harp and traditional music festival in his name. It has twice won the Irish Tidy Towns Competition. Small, but perfectly formed!

KNOCKCROGHERY: A little village near the western shores of Lough Ree, Knockcroghery was home to All-Ireland-winning football captain Jimmy Murray, and famous for its clay pipes in the 1800s. Dúidíns are once again in production today, thanks to craftswoman Ethel Kelly.

LECARROW: Connected by a navigable canal to Lough Ree, Lecarrow makes a fine foodie stop for passing boat folk as well as drivers or cyclists. Rindoon Castle is the focus of a short looped walk nearby, set on a peninsula that contains the remains of a once-thriving medieval town.

RATHCROHGAN: Once the Royal Seat of Connacht, Rathcroghan is surrounded by some 200 archaeological monuments, including burial

mounds and megalithic tombs, dating back over 5,000 years. Rathcroghan Visitor Centre at Cruachan Aí is the gateway to what is shaping up as a World Heritage Celtic Royal Site.

ROOSKY: Set on the River Shannon near the meeting point of Roscommon, Leitrim and Longford, Roosky is a friendly, picturesque village and a popular angling hub. Its harbour and marina are regular ports of call for summer cruisers, and it is the birthplace of former Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds.

ROSCOMMON: The county town is home to a number of historically and

archaeologically significant gems, including Roscommon Castle and Abbey and the Old Roscommon Gaol. Shopping, golf, horse-racing, a lively mart and a wide range of accommodation contribute to its buzz.

STROKESTOWN: A broad avenue that was once the widest main street in Europe leads directly to the gates of Strokestown Park House, historic home to the Mahon family. You’ll find the National Famine Museum here, as well as bustling annual poetry and traditional music festivals.

TARMONBARRY: This restful little village along the River Shannon is a popular spot with cruisers, who enjoy its tree-lined river walk, popular hotel and clutch of restaurants. Watch out for the award-winning gastro pub, which also hosts an art gallery. Slieve Bán is nearby.

TULSK: The medieval village of Tulsk is in the royal citadel of Rathcroghan, and home to the remains of a 15th century Dominican Priory. The first death by gunshot in Ireland occurred in Tulsk, and the village was also the original O’Connor seat of Kingship.

Roscommon Arts Centre

Organic Market at

King House in Boyle


Roscommon may be off the beaten track, but the county has produced more than its fair share of famous names – from Queen Maeve to Hollywood’s Queen of the Jungle.Chris O’Dowd, heartthrob star of Bridesmaids and The IT Crowd, grew up in Boyle. So did Maureen O’Sullivan, famed for playing Jane to Johnny Weissmuller’s Tarzan. O’Sullivan’s daughter, Mia Farrow, also enjoys childhood memories of Roscommon’s undulating countryside.

Percy French was born in Roscommon, as was Ireland’s first president, Douglas Hyde, and contemporary personalities like journalist John Waters, DJ Ruth Scott and Úna Burke, the designer whose work has been worn by Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Daphne Guinness.

Matt Molloy of The Chieftains is one of a long line of flute players to come from the county, Booker Prize-winning author John McGahern was brought up in Cootehall, and another former President, Mary McAleese, has a waterfront holiday home in the county.

Rossies also dearly remember Knockcroghery publican and All-Ireland winning captain Jimmy Murray, and Dermot Earley, former Chief of Staff of Irish Defence Forces, who won two All-Star awards in a glittering Gaelic football career stretching from 1965 to 1985.

local heroes

Famous Faces

Famous Faces

Paul YoungOscar-nominated Animator

“It’s only now I’m older and have seen more of Ireland that I appreciate how special a landscape and countryside Roscommon has. I grew up around Boyle, and when the weather got hot, we had Lough Key and the river to swim in. Boyle was a great place to have an adventure. Conroy’s hill for snow sledging, the Dune shore for swimming and the wooden bridge for perch fishing. A short cycle from our house and I could get lost in the bog gardens in Lough Key forest Park. These are the places that I remember having my best times around Boyle.”


John WatersJournalist, Magazine Editor & Columnist

“Roscommon seems to have absorbed something of the character of all the counties that touch it, and yet has turned this all into something unique to itself. To cross Roscommon is as to cross a whole country. There is a personality beneath the evidence of the changing landscape that asserts itself and imposes itself on you. I love the Roscommon accent also, even though it is not a strong, recognizable accent in the manner of Kerry or Mayo. It is so gentle and tender that you feel embraced as soon as the person speaks.

I think of Roscommon as the heart of Ireland. It has roughly the right shape, and also its history has been central over the long haul. But it is also the county which, as you pass through it and are moved to stop. It strikes you as being at the heart of some deeper life of an historical Ireland.”


Roscommon’s new Community Tourism

Centres can provide all the information you need about the county’s attractions, and because they are run by local communities, they exude an authentic sense of people

and place, too.

Local Voices Jean ColemanCuisle Holiday Centre

“What do I love about Roscommon? The relaxed, good-humoured people. Visitors from all over Ireland love coming to Cuisle Holiday centre, and they enjoy the camaraderie with staff, having a laugh and good food in a setting where everything is accessible. But most of all, they love the fact that everyone knows their name.”

community tourism centres

YOU CAN FIND THEM AT THESE LOCATIONS:

ÚNA BHáN TOURISMGrounds of King House, BoyleContact: Patricia Golden Tel: 071 966-3033 Email: [email protected]

MUSEUM AND GLEESONSMarket Square, RoscommonContact: John on 090 6625613 or Sarah on 090 6626954Email: [email protected]

THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSERooskeyContact: Dolores Neary Tel: 086 852-1796

NORTH WEST CDPBallaghaderreenContact: Micheal Frain Tel: 087 225-0614Email: [email protected]

DRUM HERITAGE VISITOR CENTREDrum, AthloneContact: Edward Egan Tel: 086 197-2323Email: [email protected]

RATHCROGHAN VISITOR CENTRE Cruachan Aí, TulskContact: Lora O’Brien Tel: 071 963-9268Email: [email protected]

Community is a concept bred right into Roscommon’s DNA. From house to house, street to street and village to village, Rossies share a huge passion for their county.

That passion is something we’re passionate about sharing, too. From ancient heritage to pleasure lakes and family-friendly festivals, visitors never leave short of tips.

That’s why six new community tourism centres have been established.


From the heroes of the 1940’s team that won two All Ireland senior titles to the great Roscommon minor team of 2006 who beat Kerry in a replay on a day that will never be forgotten by those who were there in Ennis.

Jamsie Murray, Donal Keenan, Bill Carlos, Gerry O Malley, the late great Dermot Earley, Tony Mc Manus, Harry Keegan, Seamus Hayden, Frankie Dolan and Fergal O Donnell are just some of the great names that spring to mind when Gaelic Football is spoken about in county Roscommon.

There are 33 vibrant clubs in football and there is also a hard core of seven dedicated and fiercely committed hurling clubs in the county.

Seamus Duke, Sports Editor, Roscommon People

the rossies

County Roscommon has a rich and proud tradition in GAA with many great moments and heroes for Roscommon people to cherish and enjoy over many decades past.

From the Two Mile Bush at the Fourmilehouse, Paddy Joe is a

true Roscommon Legend. “I absolutely love the Rossies! I

love coming into work every day to meet heroes and legends

and love working in the greatest city in the world –

Roscommon Town.”

Local Voices Colm, PRO, Roscommon GAA

“Roscommon GAA teams are lucky to have such loyal, passionate and knowledgeable supporters. No matter the competition level or the location our fans are there in large numbers to bring great encouragement and colour to our games. At local competitions their good humour and quick wit often give some light relief to even the most tense occasions.”

We have gorgeous (and free) fridge magnets and window stickers to promote Rossies sayings.

Simply like our Facebook page and ask us – we will gladly send to you to proudly display!


What other sayings or phrases are synonymous with the Rossies? Join our Twitter #Rossies to let us know!

We have gorgeous (and free) fridge magnets and window stickers to promote Rossies sayings.

Simply like our Facebook page and ask us – we will gladly send to you to proudly display!


Gaelic Chieftain, Boyle, County Roscommon



county roscommon


connect with us

Want to know more about Roscommon ?You will enjoy our other publications...

To see lots of Roscommon videos visit our You Tube channel.

Join us on Facebook and Twitter #Rossies for lots more local heroes and a unique perspective on our county.

The images of Roscommon are simply stunning. Enjoy our galleries on Flickr and Pinterest.

Roscommon at a Glance – a comprehensive directory of Roscommon’s tourism providers.

Roscommon Calender of Events – a 30 page guide to what’s on and happening in Co. Roscommon

You can download both these documents from our website: www.roscommon.ie


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Welcome to sweet scenery and constant surprises. To fun and passionate people you ’ ll greet as strangers but leave as friends.

taste of Roscommon

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