Carrick-on-Shannon

Carrick-on-Shannon is a destination in Connaught, Ireland.

Carrick-on-Shannon (Caraidh na Sionainne) is the county town of Leitrim, set on the River Shannon at the borders of Roscommon and Leitrim. It is a popular centre for cruising on the Shannon and the recently reopened Shannon–Erne Waterway. The town has a lively waterfront with pubs, restaurants, and a marina, and hosts music festivals throughout the summer.

The most practical way to reach Carrick-on-Shannon is by car, with good road connections from the surrounding area. Regional bus services may also serve the town, though schedules can be limited on weekends. The nearest airport is typically Shannon (SNN) or Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC), depending on the specific location.

Carrick-on-Shannon is compact enough to explore on foot. For exploring the surrounding countryside and nearby attractions, a car or bicycle is recommended.

Costello's Memorial Chapel was built in 1879 by Edward Costello for his late wife, and he himself was buried there in 1891. It's not been used as a chapel since but was restored in 2010. Measuring only 16 ft by 12 ft (4.88 x 3.66 m), it's one of the world's smallest churches.

Churches of normal size are St Mary's (Roman Catholic) and St George's (Church of Ireland), side-by-side on Main St and both built in the 19th century.

Castle: if there's an award for Ireland's most ruined castle then here's a contender, a little knuckle of masonry by the bridge.

Hatley Manor is an elegant mansion of 1830 on St George's Terrace. It's privately owned, no tours.

The Workhouse is now St Patrick's Community Hospital. A plaque marks the Famine graveyard next to it. An inspector of 1846 rated this workhouse the worst he had ever seen.

Drumsna , home to Anthony Trollope in the 1840s, has a scenic stone river bridge. This was the upper limit of navigation of the Shannon until a 2.6-km canal was cut to bypass the shallows, enabling shipping to reach Carrick and beyond. The old locks and lock-keeper's cottage still stand.

Jamestown , the upstream end of the canal, has another stone brid

What's on: check the Leitrim Observer .

The Dock on St George's Terrace is an art gallery and performance space, in the 1822 former courthouse. Prisoners were led down from the court dock through a tunnel to the cells of the gaol opposite. It was demolished in 1968 and became, fittingly, a dock, the kind used by boats. The courthouse also held Council offices but these are now in a modern building next door.

Moon River Cruises sail the Shannon from the quay by the bridge. Daytime sailings take an hour. They also do evening booze cruises and stag and hen events.

Cinema:

Carrick Cineplex is on Sligo Rd, Cortober.

Aura Leisure Centre northeast of town centre has a gym and pool.

Boat hire is available from several operators. This includes long-distance hire, with one-way rentals available from Carrick to Bellanaleck near Enniskillen and Banagher in County Offaly. You don't need a boat licence, anyone over 21 can hire.

Gaelic games: the County GAA play Gaelic football and hurling at Seán Mac Diarmada Park (capacity 9331) at the east edge of town.

Carrick Golf Club is 5 km west along N4 towards Sligo. Blue tees 5767 m, par 69.

Coarse fishing is plentiful near town o

Coffey's Pastry Case on Bridge St does light meals M-Sa 8AM-6PM, Su 10AM-4PM.

Vitto's ,

Market Yard Centre, Main St N41 H598 ,

☏

+353 71 962 7000 .

W-F 5-10PM, Sa Su 1-9PM .

Lively family-friendly Italian-cum-Irish restaurant.   ( updated Sep 2025 )

Boardwalk Restaurant within Landmark Hotel serves modern Irish food.

Red Bank restaurant on St George's Terrace N41 CK00 is open Th F 5-9PM, Sa Su 1-9PM.

Buffalo Boy is a steak house on Main St, open W-Su 3-11PM.

Di Vino is an Italian on Bridge St N41 C3K2, open daily noon-9PM.

Oarsman ,

Bridge St ,

☏

+353 71 962 1733 .

Tu W 5-8:30PM, Th-Sa 12:30-3PM, 5-8:30PM .

This gastropub gets great reviews for food and service, booking recommended.   ( updated Sep 2025 )

Leitrim has Barge Steakhouse and Sichuan Restaurant plus takeaways.

Cryan's Bar within the hotel on Bridge St has trad music and a great atmosphere.

An Poitín Still on Main St has a restaurant and accommodation.

Flynn's Bar is a grand old-style pub on Main St, open daily noon-11PM.

McHugh's Bar on Bridge St is open Su-F 10:30AM-12:30AM, Sa 9AM-1AM.

Anderson's Thatch Pub ,

Elphin Rd, Ballindrehid

( 3 km south of town on R368 ),

☏

+353 71 962 0142 .

W-Sa 8:15PM-midnight .

Trad country pub established 1734. Live music, dog-friendly, free camping available.   ( updated Sep 2025 )

Bush Hotel ,

Main St N41 HP51 ,

☏

+353 71 967 1000 .

Comfy mid-range hotel founded circa 1800, mostly good reviews.

B&B double €140 .   ( updated Sep 2025 )

Carrick Plaza Suites are at Mercantile Plaza N41 WA27 on Bridge St.

Landmark Hotel ,

Carrick N41 N9W4 ,

☏

+353 71 962 2222 .

Smart friendly place with good restaurant.

B&B double €200 .   ( updated Sep 2025 )

Cryan's Hotel is by the Landmark, at Quayside N41 PX65.

Aisleigh Guest House ,

Dublin Rd, Attirory N41 TK64 ,

☏

+353 71 962 0313 .

Welcoming B&B 1 km east of town. They also run five self-catering houses in town centre.

B&B double €120 .   ( updated Sep 2025 )

Hartley House ,

Hartley N41 X657 ,

☏

+353 86 828 8500 .

Charming B&B 3 km north of town.

B&B double €150 .   ( updated Sep 2025 )

Leitrim Marina Hotel ,

Leitrim N41 AE86 ,

☏

+353 71 962 3644 .

Comfy modern place at the waterside.

B&B double €130 .   ( updated Sep 2025 )

Battlebridge Caravan & Camping Park ,

Cootehall Rd, Battlebridge N41 AE86 ,

☏

+353 71 965 0824 .

Well-equipped site on the riverside 1 km northwest of Leitrim village. They also have glamping pods and run Beirne's pub adjacen

Tesco is on the main retail park east edge of town, open daily 8AM-10PM. Aldi is a little way further east.

There's also a retail strip south of the river, with Lidl and SuperValu.

Bank of Ireland and AIB in town centre have ATMs.

Longford has a fine cathedral, a mysterious "bog road" and several Neolithic portal tombs.

Boyle has a grand Georgian mansion and a ruined abbey.

Sligo is set in the haunting landscape of WB Yeats, with limestone scarps and Atlantic coastline.

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