Discover Drumshanbo: A Gateway to Lough Allen's Attractions
Located approximately 12km north of Carrick is the bustling village of Drumshanbo, nestled on the southern shores of Lough Allen. At its heart lies the Sliabh an Iarainn Visitor Centre (Acres Lake Amenity Area), serving as an informative hub for local customs and history. Here, you’ll learn about the region’s iron-and-coal mining industries centered around Arigna in County Roscommon, along with a reconstruction of a traditional sweathouse. Renowned for its musical heritage, Drumshanbo hosts the week-long Joe Mooney Summer School in July, featuring traditional music classes and concerts, as well as the An Tostal Festival at the beginning of July, showcasing diverse music and street performances.
From Drumshanbo, roads diverge northward along both the eastern and western shores of Lough Allen. The western route ventures into County Roscommon, skirting the Arigna Mountains, while the eastern alternative traverses bleak flatlands below Slieve Anierin. Follow the 48-kilometer Leitrim Way, which begins along Lough Allen’s shoreline before ascending to higher ground en route to the remote village of Dowra, the starting point of the Cavan Way. At the Allen Centre, a range of activities awaits, including windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, fishing, paddleboarding, and hill-walking.