Your Insight into Roscommon

7/31/2019 Your Insight into Roscommon

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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!

famousfaces

taste ofRoscommon

rossie sayings

therossies

great times together


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2 | www.roscommon.ie

FamousFacesChris ODowd,

Actor & Comedian

Everything about Roscommon is

home to me. Theres nowhere like

it. Its untouched by the cynicism of

modernity, and has remained true

to its identity through bubbles and

dips. Its no coincidence that it lies

in the heart of Ireland, either. I love

walking down to the Doon Shore in

Boyle on summer mornings. AndStephens 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 youll greet as strangers butleave as friends.

Welcome to striking scenery and enough visitor

attractions to warrant our title as the Playground of

the West!

Pay a flying visit. Stay for weeks.

Whizz down a zip-line Go shing

Cruise the Shannon

Walk ancient paths

Eat lamb

Lose yourself in a local

conversation

Theres no shortage of things to do.Or you could simply do nothing at all

Did youknow?

That natives

include Percy

French and

Irelands rst

President,

Douglas Hyde?

Roscommon is

almost entirely

surrounded by

water.

12Cultureand Heritage


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The Ofcial Guide to Roscommon | 3

Looking for adventure?

In Roscommon, youve

come to the right

place.

Theres 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 OfRoscommon

8

16

Welcome to Roscommon

Whatever you do, for however

long you stay, youll nd

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

ace, 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


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Why not meet thenative and exoticanimals at Glendeervisitor farm near

Athlone or TullyboyFarm near Boyle, where kids can kickback in the playground while Mum andDad collapse into a cup of tea?

What about a family day out atRoscommon Racecourse, or a shingtrip on our abundant rivers and lakes?

Horse-riding, sot playcentres, watersportson numerous lakes andcycling trails are some othe amily-riendly optionsin a county just waiting to

be your playground.

great timestogetherRoscommon is not

only easy to get tofrom all over Ireland;

its easy to have fun

once you get here!


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Local VoicesPhil OConnellGlendeer Pet Farm

Eamonn and I opened Glendeer 21 yearsago, and like many parts o the countrysidehere, its lovely and peaceul in the eveningas the animals wind down ater a busydays petting and eeding. Its then that I

love to stroll amongst them, listening to

the dierent sounds o birds, insects andanimals including monkeys, wallabies,and Rio the Parrot! Im so lucky to have itall on my doorstep.

Try on a chietainscloak or writewith a quill at KingHouse

In Roscommon, you can tour the Arigna Minesin the company of a miner who made his livingsqueezing into gashes in the rock. You can try on a

chieftains cloak or write with a quill at King House- onetime barracks for the Connaught Rangers inBoyle.

You can swing on Tarzanropes at Zipit, Lough Keysaerial adventure centre. And did youknow Boyle was the birthplace ofMaureen OSullivan, the Hollywoodactress famous for playing Jane

alongside Johnny Weissmullers Tarzan?

Did youknow...

exhilarating

Add 350 hectares of woodland, braided withhiking trails. Throw in a tree canopy walk, oldservants tunnels and an adventure playground.

Or what about climbing a cargo net or riding a

BMX bike through Irelands rst aerial trail activitycourse?

Now youre talking. If you sat a family down andasked them to design the perfect place to revive,refresh and rewind, the result would look a lot likeLough Key Forest Park.

Imagine one o

the most beautiullakes in Ireland.

Local VoicesLouise Fitzpatrick

Lough Key Forest

& Activity Park

Roscommon is a gem o a county thathas managed to upgrade itsel into the21st Century while still retaining all theloveable attributes o Old Ireland. Its aplace that would ulfl any oreign touristsimage o what Ireland is about.


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In Roscommon, youve come to the

right place.

Within minutes o arriving here, you

could be windsurfng on Lough

Ree, cycling the Suck Valley Way, or

fshing some o the eistiest pike in

the midlands.

Looking foradventure?

great timestogether

Lakesand Rivers

Anglers will have a eld day on Roscommons riversand lakes and theres golf, horse-racing,watersports in Rooskey and power boating onLough Ree. Phew!

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

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

Fancy a Walk?The Arigna Miners Way is a 62kmtrail following a network of paths onceused by workers in the Arigna coalmines.

You can hike for days through townslike Keadue and Ballyfarnon, stoppingoff at friendly B&B accommodationalong the way, or simply dip into oneof the shorter stretches along theroute whatever takes your fancy.

Into Wildlie?Or what about a gentler meander

through St. Johns Wood and guidedvisits to Rindoon?


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I youre cruising, sailing orkayaking around Lough Ree,watch out or Hodsons Pillar,

on a tiny islet in HodsonBay. Its said to mark the

geographical centre o Ireland.

Cut local voice Ben andreplace with XXXXXX

Did you know...explore

Local Voices

Richie O HaraBaysports

Lough Ree, the Shannon and the miles o county Roscommon

shoreline provide the most beautiul setting or invigorating andexhilarating watersports! I have the pleasure o working in andenjoying Roscommons natural amenities on a daily basis and amdelighted to help all adventurers share in this enjoyment.

Looking oran adrenalinerush?

If its adrenaline youre after, trykayaking, sailing, raft-buildingat Baysports on Lough Ree.

Hurl yourself off a watertrampoline, or go old-school

and learn to row a currach.


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For a landlocked county,Roscommon certainly hasits air share o water.

Bordering the River Shannon to the east,following the ow of the River Suck in thesouth-west, and spotted throughout withpleasure lakes, it is three-quarters bounded

by water.

The result is one of Irish anglings best-keptsecrets. The Suck is renowned for its coarseshing, with bream and roach plentiful in the 30mile corridor linking Roscommon and Galway:The Suck Valley.

Irish pike ght hard too, and theres noshortage of them in this river. How abouty-shing for wild brown trout, casting off for

rudd and tench in the River Boyle, setting upshop on the reedy shores of the Shannon, ordipping into the dozens of lakes surroundingStrokestown and Tulsk? The lakes dont stopthere, either.

lakelandson it, in it!Did you know...Roscommon is almostentirely surrounded by

water.


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Think o Errit, a secret spot where localshave boated and shed for generations. OrLough Key, lapping up against a forest parkon the old Rockingham family estate, itselffestooned with forest trails, camping pitches, aplay kingdom and aerial trekking course.

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

and heritage hot-spots. Thinkof Hare Island, where

Viking gold was foundin 1802; Inchcleraun,where legend has itthat Queen Maevewas killed; or Rindoon

Castle built byNormans to shore

up the invasion ofConnaught, and today

home to an intriguingdeserted town.

Hire a CruiserWhy not hire a cruiserand explore the wa-terways at your ownpace? Potter along,cast off, stop to explorean old ruin, catch somesummer music, cook on board or eat out inRooskey, Lecarrow, Tarmonbarry or Athlone.The nine-to-ve will seem very far away in-deed

Local VoicesBodo Funke

Angling Services Ireland

When I frst visited Roscommon at theage o 11, you could say I ell in love. Icome rom Berlin, but the riendly people,the beautiul scenery, and the lakes and

rivers - with their countless antastic fshingopportunities - made a big impression.These memories were so special, in act,I later chose Roscommon as my home. I

met my wie here, we are bringing up our

children here, and I am proud, delightedand thankul to be able to live in thecounty.

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

Roscommon contains the longeststretch of the River Shannon of any

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


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into natureRoscommon is truly undiscovered,a place where every highway andbyway seems to deliver you arrom the madding crowd.

Did you know...Sphagnum moss, coveringmuch of the surface ofRoscommons bogs, can holdup to 20 times its own weightin water. Without it, the bogswould not exist.

Did you know...That Roscommonis home to around

70 peat bogs?

All Images John J Earley Msc.

From peat bogs to wildfowermeadows, native woodlandsto turloughs, lakes &marshes, its the perectplace to escape into the wild.In this unspoilt environment, nature lovers are spoiled

for choice. 2,500 square kilometres of rolling landscapegives way to one revelation after another whetheryoure cycling country roads, shing rivers, or simplysticking your nose in the nearest hedgerow

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

turloughs, or that Roscommon wildliferanges from hovering kestrels to

insect-eating sundew plants, muteswans and brimstone butteries?



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Green HeartlandsCycle RouteTake the Green Heartlands CycleRoute, a gently undulating 217kmcourse through farmland and forests,

through bogs, rural villages and lakes Roscommon in a nutshell. Or takeThe Suck Valley Way, following theRiver Suck for 100km as it meandersinto East Galway. Its another trail youcan walk or cycle over a couple ofdays, or simply dip in and out of asyou choose.

Lake OFlynnThink of Lake OFlynn, north ofBallinlough. This limestone lake isbest-known for its boating, sailingand kayaking, but its also home toseveral looped walks. A short, 3.4kmtrail loops around the picnic area andoutdoor gym, while the 6.4km WildGoose Bog Walk brings walkers intothe heart of the bog habitat. Its also

circled by a short and sweet cycleroute.

Lough Key Forest ParkTake Lough Key Forest Park, 350-hectares ofparkland braided with walks and trails. Putone foot in front of the other, and withinminutes you could lose yourself in a world

of majestic trees, fairy bridges, 19thcentury follies and stunning lake views.Oh, and watch out for the otters

Boyles historic trailThe countryside isnt the only place to walk.Boyles historic trail threads not just through oldstreets, buildings and monuments marking the historyof Roscommon, but the history of Ireland, too. In

Roscommon Town, there are two 4km Sl na Slinteroutes to follow.

Deserted Medieval VillageYou could follow a looped walk around the desertedmedieval village at Rindoon. You could summit SliabhBn, go orienteering in Mote Park, explore the colour-coded walks around Kilronan Castle, or follow oldminers pathways on the long-distance Arigna MinersWay and Historical Trail.

Get your boots on. Roscommon awaits

Nothing beatswandering into

another world.And whether youre a hardy hiker, acyclist blowing off the cobwebs, or aMum or Dad breaking out the buggyalong a forest trail, Roscommon has

another world for you.

Best o all?Theyre absolutely ree.

All Images John J Earley Msc.


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Roscommon isnt just ull osurprises today. Its been throwingthem up through a rich history.

Culture andheritage


High kings, stately houses,subterranean mine tours and a

jail reputed to have had the onlyhangwoman in Ireland - Lady

Betty are just a taste of whatlies in store.


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Full O SurprisesRoscommon was the birthplace of DouglasHyde (1860-1949), the rst President of Ireland,who is commemorated at an interpretivecentre in Frenchpark. It hosts a summer schoolcelebrating local hero, Percy French, and itseven the starting point on the epic Tin Trail, a

300-mile route tracing Queen Maeves quest tosteal the Brown Bull of Cooley.

Queen Maeves royal seat was at Rathcroghan,where Rathcroghan Visitor Centre in Tulskanchors a complex of over 200 archaeologicalsites today.

Youll nd a remarkably rich tapestry of Gaelicmedieval settlement in the county, fromRoscommon Castle to the deserted town ofRindoon.History buffs can visit the Drumanone Dolmen,one of the largest in Ireland, pore through theDerryglad Folk Museums collection of over2,000 items, or the amazingly intricate memorialstones at St. Comans graveyard.

Arigna MiningExperienceThen there is the Arigna Mining Experience,where visitors are taken on an undergroundtour guided by ex-miners. Whether workingby candlelight, squeezing themselves intoprecarious gashes or pummelling the coalwith pneumatic picks, theirs was one toughlife. The world-class attraction doesnt stopafter evoking 400 years of mining, either. Ittraces the landscape right back through 350million years of geology - to a time when thisregion of Roscommon was a conux biggerthan the MississippiDelta.

At Trinity Island on Lough Key, legend says twotrees grow entwined above the graves of UnaBhn MacDermott and Tomas Laidir Costello.The lovers were thwarted in life, when Una Bhnsfather banished her to Castle Ireland where shedied of a broken heart. In his grief Tomas Laidirused to swim to the island every night to keepvigil at her grave. Eventually he got pneumoniaand realising that he was dying requested thatMacDermot allow him to be buried beside UnaBhan. His request was granted and thus the twolovers were belatedly united. Tradition says thattwo trees grew up over their graves, entwiningtogether to form a Lovers Knot, standing guard

over the site.

Did you know?

Local VoicesPatricia Golden, ManagerUna Bhn Tourism

At least once a day we answer the phoneto Hi, can I speak to na please......? What

proceeds is really quite unny and we begin totell the person, that unortunately na cannotcome to the phone just now, she is actually the

main character in a beautiullocal love story legend

Local VoicesMaurice Cullen, Former Miner

Arigna Mining Experience

The work was hard and laborious but thegeneral orm o the day was to get in thereand get the job done. Now, our uniqueunderground tour, guided by ex-miners,

shows you the way o lie in Irelands lastworking coal mine.


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Every house tells a story, andyoull discover no end o talesand trivia within the walls oRoscommons our greatheritage houses.

But Clonalis, Strokestown Park, Castlecooteand King House go a little further, too. They alsotell the story of Roscommon itself.

historichouses

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

Knockcroghery, Co Roscommon,

were amous all over the country

or over 300 years.

Castlecoote House

King House


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Clonalis HouseClonalis House is the ancestral home of the OConor family, former kings ofConnaught. Located just west of Castlerea, it dates in its current form from1880, but the lands have belonged to the family for a history-making 1,500years. A collection of over 100,000 items includes the OConor coronationstone and the harp once belonging to the great Turlough OCarolan.

Castlecoote HouseCastlecoote House, setting for the annual Percy French Summer School, is anelegant Georgian pile bounded on three sides by the River Suck. The housestands on the site of a medieval castle originally developed by Sir CharlesCoote, and has been restored to its former splendour by its current owners.Watch out for Joshua Reynolds evocative portraits of the Gunning sisters -their family was rumoured to have won Castlecoote in a poker game in the18th century.

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

Strokestown Park HouseStrokestown was laid out around this Georgian mansion built for the Mahonfamily, and its broad avenue today leads to a sensitively restored house fullof original furnishings and fabrics. Highlights include guided tours that take inIrelands last surviving galleried kitchen amongst other rooms, a six-acre walledgarden, and the National Famine Museum whose exhibits centre around originaldocuments and letters discovered during a restoration of the house in 1994.

Local VoicesMarguerite OConnor NashClonalis House

Clonalis is a Historic House, but also a amilyhome. It is the ancestral Home o the OConors- the last High Kings o Ireland and the traditional Kings oConnaught but since Pyers and I moved here 30 years agowith our young amily, weve been welcoming riends and

guests rom all parts o the world and encouraging them toenjoy what we love about Roscommon... the history, the ora,the bogs, the rivers, the birdsong and hospitable people who

always have time or you.

Roscommonsuered the most oany county duringthe Great Hunger,more people died orwere deported thanany other place inIreland.

Did you know...

Roscommons Four Great Heritage Houses


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Theres no lamb in Ireland like

Roscommon lamb.

Roaming ree in the felds, eating lush grassgrowing on limestone-rich soil, cared or with

the true passion o armers who understand

their crat 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.

Irelands onlylamb estivalRoscommon has the highest lamb output in Ireland.Little wonder Roscommon is home to Irelands onlylamb festival a celebration held every May not justto laud our lovely lamb, but as an excuse for a royalknees-up. Farm walks, kids cookery classes andshearing world record attempts are just the start ofthe boisterous events.

Food toput a smileon your aceDock your boat for a sizzling sirloin steak inLecarrow, 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 caf, or aquick blast of pub grub.

But theres a lot more than lamb on themenu. In Roscommon, youll nd rarebreed pigs, freshly-grown fruit, herbs andvegetables at numerous organic growers in

the county and ourishing farmers marketsthroughout the county.

taste ofRoscommon

Farmers Market inBoyle, Co. Roscommon


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Like the sound oRoscommons oodie scene?Then youll love the recipes online atwww.roscommon.ie

Local VoicesBrendan AllenCastlemine Farm

Drive through any part o Roscommon,and youll soon come across two armers

chatting. This is always more than a chathowever; its a sharing o amily values,knowledge and opinions.

This culture o community is very specialamong Roscommon armers - but its notjust the armers, or Roscommons armingland, that allows us to produce somethingspecial.

Its the desire in the Roscommon people,too. Desire or good ood, and desire orthe local economy.

Did you

know...Roscommon has the highest lamb

output in Ireland. It also hostsIrelands only lamb festival a

celebration of great food, farmingand community spirit during whichyou can exchange your euros fora special currency, Roscommon

Alternative Money (RAM)!

Local VoicesMary Gleeson

Gleesons Townhouse

To get a real taste or the county, RoscommonLamb Stew is a must! Hearty portions

swimming in a rosemary and thyme broth withveg, carrots and potatoes shoring up succulentchunks o lamb its our much loved signaturedish!


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ceol &craic

Roscommon has always known how

to carry a tune. Its no coincidence that

Roscommon is the birthplace of Percy French,

Matt Molloy of The Chieftains, legendary

bodhrn player Frank McGann, and the burial

place of harpist, Turlough OCarolan.

TraditionalMusic SceneSeek out Roscommons traditionalmusic scene in a cosy pub, kick back atStrokestowns File Frank McGann, or take

a show or workshop at the Roscommon ArtsCentre, where events range from traditionalsinging lessons to cutting edge comedy andmonster dance-offs.

Percy FrenchSummer SchoolRoscommon hosts the annual Percy FrenchSummer School, which takes place everyJuly at Castlecoote House. Lectures, recitals,

poems, monologues, music, drama andpaintings celebrate the life and times ofRoscommons famous songwriter.


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FamousFaces

Percy French wasnt just a memorablesongwriter. Roscommons Renaissance

man trained as a civil engineer and wasactive as an editor, concert promoter,

painter, poet and banjo player.

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

Did you know...

Ruth ScottDJ

Im always going on about my homecounty o Roscommon. Im immensely

proud o it. Its amazing scenery has some

real hidden gems. Its lakes and woodedwalks are amongst Irelands fnest.Everyone knows that nights out in thecounty are amazing but I promise you, thedays out are even better.

The countywas also home to TurloughOCarolan, who moved here with his familyat the formative age of 14. Blinded bysmallpox four years later, OCarolan wenton to carve out a legendary reputation asa travelling harpist. His grave isfound beneath the Arigna

Mountains at Keadue,where a Harp &Traditional MusicFestival is held in hisname every August.

Also worth travellingfor is Boyles annual artsfestival. A programme stuffed with

classical and traditional music, literature,drama and childrens events has blossomedfrom a community vision into a summer

highlight. Watch out for the art exhibitionsstaged in spaces all over the town, too theimpromptu galleries range from retail units toBoyle Abbey and King House. RoscommonDrama Festival, held every March, is a much

anticipated celebration of local amateurdrama from the length and breath of

county.

Of course, you dont need theexcuse of a festival to visit.

Youll nd music and craicin Roscommon, Castlerea and

other towns, waterfront ambienceat mooring points along the River Shannon,

and warm hearths and great tunes at our toastycountry pubs.

Encore, anyone?

Warmhearths and

great tunes at ourtoasty country

pubs.

Local VoicesSean Browne

Hells Kitchen Bar and

Railway Museum, Castlerea

People are stunned to see aull sized Railway Locomotive crashed into the

back wall o my pub. But my back yard was theperect location or a railway museum. Today, Ihave the largest collection o privately-ownedrailway memorabilia on display in the country.Railway Bus love it. My avourite arteact is

the Ballaghaderreen to Kilree Junction Sta,which was used on the line until the day itclosed in 1963. It was the last outpost o steam

locomotion in Ireland.



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Rossies love to shopbut we love shopswith character - the town street vibe, thechat at the counter, the personal touch, thetrusted butchers, publicans and retailers,the quality goods and, of course greatbargains.

We also love our crafts so manycraftspeople live and work in Roscommons

restful countryside. People like MichelleFallon - knitting, sewing and running craftscourses from her cottage in Kilrooskey;Roscommon-born na Burke, whose

leather designshave beenworn by LadyGaga; or breartist FrancesCrowe,weaving inher countrystudio in

Fourmilehouse.

Serendipity lies at theheart of Roscommon shopping too.

crafts andshopping

Frances Crowe, Fibre Artist

Forget giant chainstores and soullessshopping malls.


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Local VoicesUna Burke

Fashion Designer

I eel so lucky to havegrown up in an area osuch natural beauty,where I had the reedom to explore and have

adventures every day. It was so peaceul andserene, allowing my mind to roam reely andtake time to appreciate everything rom thetiniest insects to the tallest trees.

I loved to spend my days on the swingoutside our house, looking up at thetreetops and the clouds imagining they wereturning into airytale things. I wandered the

meadows picking such enormous buncheso wildowers that I could oten only barely ft

both my hands around them. My dad, with hispractical armers eye, sometimes pointed outthat some were weeds. I strongly disagreed.

Living in a city now, I long or this space andreedom, so I try to get home as oten as

possible. My avourite Roscommon memories

surround the beautiul Lough Key and somany summer days spent by her shores orin boats visiting the Islands or picnics withamily and riends. I remember incredible

summer sunsets over the lake, and wonderulrozen landscapes in the winter.

Local VoicesMichelle Fallon

Roscommon is where I grew up and whereI live. Its where I learned to knit, to sew, to

ride a bike, drive a car and bake a cake allthe important things that have stayed with methrough my lie! I lived in London or 16 years

and spent my days dreaming about cominghome, doing up my grannys cottage andteaching sewing and knitting. Now I live thatdream!

Did youknow...Dudns, or clay pipes, were crafted

for use in Irish wakes. Filled withtwist tobacco, they were laid out for

mourners, who enjoyed a smokebefore breaking them into piecesto be tossed into the grave. In the

1800s, the industry employed over100 people in Knockcroghery.

KnockcrogheryThink of Knockcroghery, the centre of athriving clay pipe industry until the villagewas burned by the Black and Tans in 1921.Passing through today, you might pull inat Ethel Kellys Clay Pipe Centre to nd asouvenir unlike any other a clay pipe made

from original moulds, bog buddies carvedfrom turf, or hand painted Ogham wishes.


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towns &villagesATHLEAGUE: Tucked into an S-curve on theRiver Suck, Athleague marks the starting point for

a stage of the Suck Valley Way, a 60-mile long-distance walk incorporating part of the famousOSullivan Beara trail. The town is also a shortdistance from the Neolithic Castlestrange Stone.

ATHLONE: The largest town on the RiverShannon stands on the boundaries of twocounties - Westmeath and Roscommon. Its Anglo-Norman castle is just one of the tourist attractionsat the gateway to Lough Ree, and the heart of

Ireland itself.BALLAGHADERREEN: Situated on the Mayo/Roscommon border, Ballaghaderreen is a busyCathedral town located in a richly archaeologicallandscape near the source of the Lung River. Onapproach from the east, watch out for the formerhome of Irelands rst President, Douglas Hyde.

BALLYFARNON: Roscommons most northerlyvillage is set on the gushing River Feorish at

the foot of Arigna Mountain. The great harpistTurlough OCarolan is buried in nearby KilronanAbbey, and his last home, Alderford House, isadjacent to the village.

BOYLE: Boyle is home to a 12th century abbey,the restored King House and the 4,000-year-old

Drumanone dolmen. Its not all ancient history,however. The old market town is home to athriving summer arts festival and a Saturdayfarmers market drawing visitors from far andwide.

CASTLECOOTE: This picturesque villagefeatures the remains of a castle built by SirCharles Coote, President of Connaught duringthe rebellion of 1641. The castle towers now form

part of Castlecoote House, a historic pile thathosts the annual Percy French summer school.

CASTLEREA: Enveloped in wooded countrysideon the banks of the River Suck, Castlereais the birthplace of William Wilde father ofOscar. Clonalis house, ancestral home of theOConor family, who provided several high kingsthroughout Irelands history, lies just west of thetown.

COOTEHALL:A beautiful village nestling atthe foot of the old Bawn beside the RiverBoyle, Cootehall is also close to the fairy hills ofSheemore and Sheebeg the latter of which is

Roscommon is home to a

number of historically andarchaeologically signicant

gems


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

ELPHIN: The Episcopal college at Elphinis believed to have been one of the rstmonasteries founded by St.Patrick highlighting thereligious signicance of the

town in pre-Reformation times.Nearby is the restored ElphinWindmill, built in 1720, and theoldest of its kind in Ireland.

FRENCHPARK: A smallvillage on the N5 south-east ofBallaghaderreen, Frenchparkis famous as the birthplace ofDouglas Hyde. Hyde was born in Ratra House,

and went on to found the Gaelic League beforebecoming the rst President of Ireland in 1938.

FUERTY:A small village in south-westRoscommon, Fuertys most famous son was St.Ciarn, who went on to found Clonmacnoise. Ithas had its tragedies, too notably the slayingof 100 priests in a church in Cromwelliantimes. The Franciscan church still stands in afascinating graveyard.

KEADUE: Sitting snug at the foot of the ArignaMountains, Keadue is the burial place oflegendary harpist Turlough OCarolan, and hostsan annual harp and traditional music festival inhis name. It has twice won the Irish Tidy TownsCompetition. Small, but perfectly formed!

KNOCKCROGHERY:A little village near thewestern shores of Lough Ree, Knockcrogherywas home to All-Ireland-winning football captain

Jimmy Murray, and famous for its clay pipes inthe 1800s. Didns are once again in productiontoday, thanks to craftswoman Ethel Kelly.

LECARROW: Connected by a navigable canalto Lough Ree, Lecarrow makes a ne foodiestop for passing boat folk as well as drivers orcyclists. Rindoon Castle is the focus of a shortlooped walk nearby, set on a peninsula thatcontains the remains of a once-thriving medieval

town.

RATHCROHGAN: Once the Royal Seat ofConnacht, Rathcroghan is surrounded by some200 archaeological monuments, including burial

mounds and megalithic tombs, dating backover 5,000 years. Rathcroghan Visitor Centre atCruachan A is the gateway to what is shapingup as a World Heritage Celtic Royal Site.

ROOSKY: Set on the River Shannonnear the meeting point of Roscommon,Leitrim and Longford, Roosky is a

friendly, picturesque village and apopular angling hub. Its harbourand marina are regular ports of callfor summer cruisers, and it is thebirthplace of former Taoiseach, AlbertReynolds.

ROSCOMMON: The county townis home to a number of historically and

archaeologically signicant gems, including

Roscommon Castle and Abbey and the OldRoscommon Gaol. Shopping, golf, horse-racing, a lively mart and a wide range ofaccommodation contribute to its buzz.

STROKESTOWN:A broad avenue thatwas once the widestmain street in Europeleads directly to the

gates of StrokestownPark House, historichome to the Mahonfamily. Youll ndthe National FamineMuseum here, as wellas bustling annualpoetry and traditionalmusic festivals.

TARMONBARRY: Thisrestful little village along the River Shannonis a popular spot with cruisers, who enjoy itstree-lined river walk, popular hotel and clutchof restaurants. Watch out for the award-winninggastro pub, which also hosts an art gallery.Slieve Bn is nearby.

TULSK: The medieval village of Tulsk is in theroyal citadel of Rathcroghan, and home to the

remains of a 15th century Dominican Priory.The rst death by gunshot in Ireland occurredin Tulsk, and the village was also the originalOConnor seat of Kingship.

RoscommonArtsCentre

OrganicMarketat

KingHouseinBoyle


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Roscommon may be o the beaten track, but

the county has produced more than its airshare o amous names rom Queen Maeve to

Hollywoods Queen o the Jungle.Chris ODowd, heartthrob star of Bridesmaidsand The IT Crowd, grew up in Boyle. So didMaureen OSullivan, famed for playing Janeto Johnny Weissmullers Tarzan. OSullivansdaughter, Mia Farrow, also enjoys childhood

memories of Roscommons undulatingcountryside.

Percy French was born in Roscommon, aswas Irelands rst president, Douglas Hyde,and contemporary personalities like journalistJohn Waters, DJ Ruth Scott and na Burke,the designer whose work has been worn byLady Gaga, Rihanna and Daphne Guinness.

Matt Molloy of The Chieftains isone of a long line of ute players to come fromthe county, Booker Prize-winning author JohnMcGahern was brought up in Cootehall, andanother former President, Mary McAleese, has

a waterfront holiday home in the county.

Rossies also dearly remember Knockcrogherypublican and All-Ireland winning captainJimmy Murray, and Dermot Earley, formerChief of Staff of Irish Defence Forces, whowon two All-Star awards in a glittering Gaelicfootball career stretching from 1965 to 1985.

local heroes

FamousFaces

Famous Faces

Paul YoungOscar-nominated Animator

Its only now Im older and have seenmore o Ireland that I appreciate howspecial a landscape and countrysideRoscommon has. I grew up aroundBoyle, and when the weather got hot,we had Lough Key and the river to

swim in. Boyle was a great place tohave an adventure. Conroys hill orsnow sledging, the Dune shore orswimming and the wooden bridge orperch fshing. A short cycle rom our

house and I could get lost in the boggardens in Lough Key orest Park.These are the places that I remember

having my best times around Boyle.


John WatersJournalist, Magazine Editor

& Columnist

Roscommon seems to have absorbedsomething o the character o all the counties thattouch it, and yet has turned this all into somethingunique to itsel. To cross Roscommon is as to cross

a whole country. There is a personality beneaththe evidence o the changing landscape thatasserts itsel and imposes itsel on you. I love theRoscommon accent also, even though it is not astrong, recognizable accent in the manner o Kerryor Mayo. It is so gentle and tender that you eelembraced as soon as the person speaks.

I think o Roscommon as the heart o Ireland. Ithas roughly the right shape, and also its history

has been central over the long haul. But it is alsothe county which, as you pass through it and aremoved to stop. It strikes you as being at the hearto some deeper lie o an historical Ireland.


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Roscommons newCommunity Tourism

Centres can provide all theinformation you need aboutthe countys attractions, andbecause they are run by localcommunities, they exude anauthentic sense of people

and place, too.

Local VoicesJean ColemanCuisle Holiday Centre

What do I love aboutRoscommon? The relaxed, good-humoured

people. Visitors rom all over Ireland love comingto Cuisle Holiday centre, and they enjoy the

camaraderie with sta, having a laugh and goodood in a setting where everything is accessible.But most o all, they love the act that everyone

knows their name.

community

tourism centresYOU CAN FIND THEM AT THESELOCATIONS:

NA BHN TOURISMGrounds of King House, Boyle

Contact: Patricia GoldenTel: 071 966-3033 Email: [email protected]

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

THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSERooskey

Contact: Dolores Neary Tel: 086 852-1796NORTH 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 CENTRECruachan A, TulskContact: Lora OBrien Tel: 071 963-9268Email: [email protected]

Community is a concept bredright into Roscommons DNA.

From house to house, street to street and village tovillage, Rossies share a huge passion for their county.

That passion is something were passionate aboutsharing, too. From ancient heritage to pleasure lakesand family-friendly festivals, visitors never leave shortof tips.

Thats why six new community tourism centres havebeen established.


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From the heroes of the 1940s team that won two AllIreland senior titles to the great Roscommon minor team

of 2006 who beat Kerry in a replay on a day that willnever be forgotten by those who were there in Ennis.

Jamsie Murray, Donal Keenan, Bill Carlos, Gerry OMalley, the late great Dermot Earley, Tony Mc Manus,Harry Keegan, Seamus Hayden, Frankie Dolan andFergal O Donnell are just some of the great names thatspring to mind when Gaelic Football is spoken about incounty Roscommon.

There are 33 vibrant clubs in football and there is alsoa hard core of seven dedicated and ercely committedhurling clubs in the county.

Seamus Duke, Sports Editor, Roscommon People

the rossies

County Roscommon has a rich and proud tradition in GAA withmany great moments and heroes or Roscommon people tocherish and enjoy over many decades past.

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

true Roscommon Legend.I absolutely love the Rossies! I

love coming into work every dayto meet heroes and legends

and love working in thegreatest city in the world

Roscommon Town.

Local VoicesColm, PRO,

Roscommon GAA

Roscommon GAA teams are luckyto have such loyal, passionate and

knowledgeable supporters. No matterthe competition level or the locationour ans are there in large numbersto bring great encouragement

and colour to our games. At localcompetitions their good humour andquick wit oten give some light relieto even the most tense occasions.


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

We have gorgeous (and ree) ridge magnets andwindow stickers to promote Rossies sayings.Simply like our Facebook page and ask us

we will gladly send to you to proudly display!


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Gaelic Chietain, Boyle, County Roscommon



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countyroscommon


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connect with us

Want to know more

aboutRoscommon?You will enjoy ourother publications...

To see lots of Roscommon videosvisit our You Tube channel.

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

The images of Roscommon aresimply stunning. Enjoy our gallerieson Flickr and Pinterest.

Roscommon at a Glance a comprehensive directory ofRoscommons tourism providers.

Roscommon Calender o Events a 30 page guide to whats on andhappening in Co. Roscommon

You can download both thesedocuments rom our website:

www.roscommon.ie


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Scan QR Code withyour Smart Phone toFind Us on the Web!

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Welcome to sweet scenery and constant su rprises. To fun andpassion ate people you ll greet as strangers but leave as friends.

taste ofRoscommon

Cultu re &heritage

lakelandson it, in it!

crafts &shopping

historichouses

ceol &craic

great timestogether

Date post:	05-Apr-2018
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Your Insight into Roscommon

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