the heart of hidden Ireland www.ballinamore.ie

Béal an Átha MóirCo. Leitrim, Ireland

FishingBallinamore is widely acknowledged as an angler’s paradise - with 28lakes within a 5 mile radius and some 17km of riverbank, Ballinamorehas hosted numerous national and international angling competitions.

The area is also a premier location for game and coarse fishing and hassome of the cleanest and most lightly fished fresh waters in Europe.

Access to the waters is well developed with fishing stands, stiles,lakeshore drives, and car parks. Boats, detailed maps and bait stocklistsare locally available. Forge Tackle Shop, Tel: 071-9644051.

The abundance of natural reserves in and around Ballinamore make it theperfect place for your outdoor adventures.

BALLINAMORE

www.Ballinamore.ie

WalkingThe constantly changing landscape offers endless and spectacularvariety to the walker. Walk on country roads, through forestry and onopen mountains taking in panoramic views. There are a variety ofchoices for both the leisurely stroller and most committed hill walkerswith routes to suit all abilities.

CyclingCycling is the ideal way to see a county like Leitrim. The pace of life,the people you meet, and the accessibility of the countryside provide aunique experience. There are trails suitable for seasoned cyclists,beginners, family groups or individual cyclists. Bicycle hire and back-upservice is locally available. The Kingfisher Cycle Trail run five cycle trailsout of Ballinamore.

WELCOME TO BALLINAMORE…the Heart of Hidden Ireland, ideally located in an area steeped in history, naturalbeauty and culture. Ballinamore makes a great touring base for a range of interestingoutings. Sample some of the constantly changing landscape through walking andcycling tours or spend the day fishing in one of many premier fishing locations.Discover your family history, view historical items or learn more about some of ourfamous local ancestors at the Leitrim Genealogy Centre. Arts, crafts and music are aspecialty as the area is home to many artists and craftspeople, studios and galleries.Enjoy family time at impressive activity parks and tourist areas. The options are morevaried than you might imagine. Ballinamore offers a variety of accommodation anddining to suit all budgets. So come and let us exceed your expectations!www.Ballinamore.ie

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www.ballinamore.ie

LocaBoatThe Marina, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim

Discover the River Shannon, the Erne and theShannon-Erne-Waterways - the most originalway to discover Ireland. Whether you go as acouple, as a family or with friends, there's aboat that's right for you, with weekends,mini-weeks or longer on offer.www.locaboat.com/113/ballinamoreT: 071 9645923

Ballinamore Golf Club Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim

Ballinamore Golf Club is situated just outside the townalongside the Shannon Erne Waterway. This 9-hole courseis set in rolling County Leitrim farmland with panoramicviews of the Sliabh an Iarainn mountain and the steadypassage of boats along the canal. This course is a pleasureto play.

Visitors are always welcome and as it is just 2 hours fromDublin it is perfect for a weekend break. After your game,relax in the friendly bar or on the deck overlooking thecourse.www.ballinamoregolfclub.ieT: 071 9644346

Riversdale Barge Company Aughoo, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim

Luxurious holiday barges available on the Shannon-ErneWaterway based in Ballinamore. Perfect for relaxed familyholidays, Shannon boating trips, fishing trips, romanticgetaways, summer holidays as well as weekend breaks forgroups.www.riversdalebargeholidays.comT: 071 9644122

BOATING AND MOORING HOLIDAYS

GOLF

OUTDOORS AND NATURE

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Wildflower Mountain BikingDerryvaughan, Swanlinbar, Cavan.

Take a cycling or walking holiday tour forone day, a weekend or as a family holiday.Tours generally run between the monthsof April right up until the end of October.Mountain Biking and Team Buildingweekends are year round as are walkingbreaks.www.wildflowercyclingholidays.com T: 049 9523923

Glencar WaterfallGlencar, Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim

This waterfall can be viewed from alovely wooded walk. There are otherwaterfalls visible from the road,although none is quite as romantic asthis one. http://www.discoverireland.ieT: 071 9161201

The Shannon PotDerrylahan, Co. Cavan

The Shannon Pot is therecognized source of the RiverShannon. From this humblebeginning the river grows in sizeto become the largest river inIreland, flowing from Cavandown the country until it reaches the sea at Limerick

Pol En Eas WaterfallAughnasheelin, Co. Leitrim

POL-AN-EAS is one of our topnatural beauty spots in Co.Leitrim, with an upper andlower waterfall separated bya natural swimming pool,with constant supply of freshclean water.T: o71 9644955

Lough Allen Aventure Centre Ballinaglera, Co. Leitrim

This is an award winning ecoactivity centre set on the lovelyLough Allen Lake. It offers awide range of activities such aswindsurfing and kayaking.T: 071 96 43292www.loughallenadventure.com

Slieve Russell Hotel Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan

This magnificent 300 acre estateincludes 50 acres of lakes anddrumlins and boasts an 18-holechampionship golf course.Facilities include golf shop anda golf teaching academy. www.quinnhotels.comT: 049 9526444

Sliabh An Iarainn Hill Walking Aghacashel, Co. Leitrim

A series of waymarked trailswith walks ranging from 20-30minutes to longer outings of acouple of hours. Maps availablelocally.www.leitrimwalks.com/walksT: 00353 (0)71 9641569

Kingfisher Cycle TrailManorhamilton, Co. Leitrim

This unique trail of over 300miles covers a mixture ofLakelands, canal side tracks,rolling hills, leafy laneways andmountain climbs. This makesthe Kingfisher Trail the idealchoice for all levels of Cyclist. W: www.cycletoursireland.com T: 071 9856898

Drumcoura Equestrian CentreDerrygoan, Ballinamore, Co.Leitrim

A stable of horses, includingquality American Quarter Horsesand European horses is the basisfor the Drumcoura EquestrianActivities. There are jumps in thecovered arena and two outdoorarenas, trails and a cross-country course.www.drumcoura.ie/equestrian-centre T: 071 9645781

ODD Outdoors and DirtyProspect, Brackley Lake, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan

One of Irelands premier actionvenues – Hovercraft Grand Prix,paintball, clay pigeon shooting,laser combat and more!www.odd.ieT: 049 9523877

Arigna Mining ExperienceArigna, Co. Roscommon

The tour provides visitors with aunique insight into what coalmining life was like in the ArignaValley, from its beginning in the1700's until closure in 1990.www.arignaminingexperience.ieT: 071 9646466

TOURING ACTIVITES

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Marble Arch Caves GeoparkFlorencecourt, County Fermanagh, BT92 1EW

One of Europe’s finest showcaveswhere you can explore afascinating natural underworld ofrivers, waterfalls, winding passagesand lofty chambers.www.marblearchcavesgeopark.comT: 028 66348855

Lough Key Forest and Activity Park Boyle, Co. Roscommon

This lakeside visitor centre is the gateway to more than 800 acres of parkland and forestat Lough Key and boasts a cluster of unique attractions.

The Boda Berg, a Swedish concept unique in Ireland, is challenging for all ages. Once youenter the two-storey building only teamwork, ingenuity and skill will get you through its47 rooms. Zipit is the first high-wire forest adventure in Ireland and is a mix of zip lines,rope bridges, Tarzan swings and climbing walls. Lough Key also has boat rides, walkingtours and an Adventure Play Kingdom for children.www.loughkey.ie T: 071 9673122

Boyle AbbeyBoyle, Co. Roscommon

Built in the late 12thcentury, the first monkscame to Boyle in 1161.Regarded as the finest ofthe Cistercian churches tosurvive in Ireland.www.roscommonhistory.ie

King HouseBoyle, Co. Roscommon

Magnificently restored1700 Georgian townhousecontaining a range ofexhibitions on thesurrounding area, heritageand culture.www.kinghouse.ieT: 071 9663242

Share Activity CentreLisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh

Ireland’s largest residential outdoor activity and adventurecentre boasts water activities including banana boating,raft building, windsurfing, canoeing and kayaking. Withsuch a large range of water, land and arts activities theCentre accommodates people of all abilities in large andsmall numbers.www.sharevillage.org T: 028 677 22122

Tullyboy Farm Boyle, Co. Roscommon

This 90 acre farm is set around abeautifully restored 18th centuryfarmhouse. Take a tractor-trailer ridearound the farm. Stop to pet all theanimals and even cuddle the cute ones.Coffee and gift shop on premises.www.tullyboyfarm.com T: 071 966 8031

Cavan-Leitrim Railway MuseumDromod, Co. Leirim

The museum offers tourists andenthusiasts a variety of narrowgauge trains, buses, planes, fireengines and artillery.

www.cavanandleitrim.comT: 071-9638599

Enniskillen CastleEnniskillen, Co. Fermanagh

Situated on the river Erne, built600 years ago by the GaelicMaguires. This historic sitehouses two museums,Fermanagh County Museumand The Inniskillings Museum.www.enniskillencastle.co.ukT: 028 66325000

TOURING ACTIVITES

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Florence Court House Florence Court, Co. Fermanagh

There is something for all thefamily at this warm andwelcoming 18th-centuryproperty – one of the mostimportant houses in the north-west.www.nationaltrust.org.ukT: 028 66348249

Ulster American Folk ParkOmagh, Co. Tyrone

Immerse yourself in the world-famous story of Irish emigration atthe interactive museum thatbrings it to life. Go from thethatched cottages of Ulster, boarda full scale emigrant sailing shipwhich leads to the log cabins ofthe American Frontier.www.nmni.com/uafpT: 028 8224 3292

ANNUAL FESTIVALS IN BALLINAMORE

April Easter Spraoi March Ballinamore Drama Festival

August Summer Family Festival • Agricultural Show • Free Fringe Fest

THE ARTS

www.ballinamore.ie

Belleek PotteryBelleek, Co. Fermanagh

The home of Ireland’s oldestpottery which has beenmanufactured in Belleek since1850. The visitors centre features amuseum, a tearoom, video theatreand showroom.www.belleek.ieT: 028 68659300

The Cornmill Theatre & Arts CentreCarrigallen, Co. Leitrim

The tradition of Drama inCarrigallen goes back to the late1800’s and continues today withthe multi-award winning CornMill Theatre Company. www.cornmilltheatre.com

The Dock Arts CentreCarrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim

The Dock houses a 100+ seatperformance space, three artgalleries, artist’s studios, cafebar, an arts education room andit is home to The Leitrim DesignHouse.www.thedock.ieT: 071 9650828

The Leitrim Design HouseManorhamilton, Co. Leitrim

Stocking the work of localcraftspeople including woodenartifacts, sculptures, ceramics,and jewellery.www.intoleitrim.comT: 071 9650550

Bear Essentialsbawnboy, Co. Cavan

Participate in a workshop topersonalize your own teddy bearor visit the Teddy Bear gift shopwhich houses probably thelargest collection of teddy bearsin Ireland. www.irishbears.comT: 049 9523461

The Organic CentreRossinver, Co. Leitrim

Ireland’s leading centre devotedto the teaching of organicgardening, growing andfarming.www.theorganiccentre.ieT: 071 9854338

Solas Art Gallery, BallinamoreBallinamore, Co. Leitrim

An artist-led gallery space whosemain aim is to promote the arts in thewider local community. It bringsawareness of art to the public andmakes exhibition space accessible toartists.www.solasart.ie T: 071 9644210

Cultural QuartersBallinamore, Co. Leitrim

The Cultural Quarters is anopen building currentlyhousing Murray's VintageClothing & Tearoom,Memory Lane Antiques andholds small gig/events aswell as being the HQ of theBallinamore Free FringeFest. Space available.Email: theculturalquarters@gmail.comBlog: http://theculturalquarters.blogspot.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/theCQ

MAP OF BALLINAMORE

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In and around Ballinamore

Town Walking TrailJohn Mc Gahern Historical TrailGlenview Folk MuseumFenagh Monastic Site and Play AreaPol an Eas WaterfallGaradice Park Amenity Area Canal Bank Walk

HERITAGE AND GENEAOLOGY

www.ballinamore.ie

Glenview Folk Museum, Ballinamore Aughoo, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim

View a private collection ofmore than 7,000 antique,historical and novel items.www.glenview-house.comT: 071 9644157

Fenagh Heritage Centre Fenagh, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim

Steeped in history, Fenagh has twoabbeys and various very significant,archaeological sites in thesurrounding fields. Explanations,descriptions and maps can beviewed in the heritage centre. www.fenagh.comT: 071 9645590

Sean Mac Diarmada Homestead Kiltyclogher, Co. Leitrim

Visit the home of a leading Irishrevolutionary and signatory ofthe 1916 Proclamation of theRepublic.T: 071 9853249

Costello ChapelBridge St., Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim

This tiny but exquisite memorialwas designed and built as aburial place for Mary JosephineCostello, who died on October 6,1877. Costello Chapel, thesmallest in Ireland and thesecond smallest in the entireworld, is 16 feet long and 12 feetwide.www.chooseireland.com/county/leitrim/costello-memorial-chapel-carrick-on-shannon

Strokestown House Famine MuseumStrokestown, Co. Roscommon

The Great Irish famine of the1840s is now regarded as thesingle greatest social disaster of19th century Europe. TheMuseum has a strongeducational focus and seeks tocreate a greater awareness of the horrors of contemporaryfamine by demonstrating the link between the causes ofthe Great Irish Famine of the 1840s and the ongoingspectacle of famine in the developing world today.www.kinghouse.ieT: 071 9663242

Leitrim County Library, BallinamoreBallinamore, Co. Leitrim

Our local library isthe headquartersfor County Leitrimlibraries. It has alarge selection ofbooks, dvds andpapers. Also inthis building is theLocal StudiesLibrary; it is herethat informationabout Leitrim is centrally stored. www.leitrimcoco.ie/eng/Services_A-Z/LibraryT: 071 9645582

Sligo Folk Park Riverstown, Co. Sligo

This community-basedattraction provides a trueexperience of rural lifeand Irish heritage fromthe late 1800s. www.sligofolkpark.com071 9165001

Leitrim Genealogy Centre, Ballinamore Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim

If your ancestors came from Co. Leitrim and you would liketo find out about them you will find a wealth ofinformation here. Located in the middle of the town besideCourthouse. www.leitrimroots.comT: 071 9644012

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www.ballinamore.ie

THE JOHN MCGAHERN TRAIL - BALLINAMORE

John McGahern (12 November 1934 – 30 March 2006)is one of the most important Irish authors of the latterhalf of the twentieth century. Before his death in 2006he was hailed as "the greatest living Irish novelist" byThe Observer.

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Points of Interest on The John McGahern Trail 1. Aughawillan Church, McGahern Grave2. Aughawillan School3. Gate at Old Homestead4. Lisacairn School 5. Knocknaroe House 6. Railway Station7. Memorial Seat 8. Pat McManus Garage9. Gala Shop

Detailed copyavailable atlocal library

DAY TRIP MAP 1

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DAY TRIP MAP 2

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DAY TRIP MAP 3

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• Smyth’s Siopa Ol• Priors, High St. Pub• McGirls Bar• The Poor Scholar• Jackie’s Lakeland Bar• Bobby Joe’s• Shorts• Pat Joe’s Pub• Commercial Hotel Bar• Lawrences Pub

HOTEL AND GUESTHOUSE ACCOMMODATION

PUBS

DINING

• Commercial Hotel T: 071 9644675 www.hotelcommercial.com

• Buille Toll B&BT: 071 9645190 www.builletoll.com

• Hamill’s Town B&B T: 071 9644211 www.hamillsbedandbreakfast.com

• Riversdale GuesthouseT: 071 9644122 www.riversdaleguesthouse.com

• Glenview Guest HouseT: 071 9644157 www.glenview-house.com

• Old Rectory B&B T: 071 9644089 www.theoldrectoryireland.com

• Old Mill Town HouseT: 071 9644247 www.oldmilltownhouse.com

• Brian McKeon Self CateringT: 071 9641303/087 2374217

• Market House Apartments Self Catering T: 071 9645824• Drumcoura Chalets T: 071 9645788 www.drumcoura.ie

• Smyth’s Siopa Ol T: 071 9644955 • Commercial Hotel T: 071 9644675• Louie’s Restaurant @ The Poor Scholar T: 071 9645516• Prior’s High St. Pub T: 071 9644574• Drumcoura City T: 071 9645788• An Bialann T: 071 9645660• Four Seasons Chinese T: 071 9644896 • Nice Star Chinese Takeaway T: 071 9645542 • Manhattan Takeaway T: 071 9644201• Trapper John’s Takeaway T: 071 9644351• King Kebabish Takeaway T: 071 9645365

Ballinamore Tourism, Main Street, Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim. Tel: 071-9644955 www.ballinamore.ie

LocationBallinamore is located in the heart of Leitrim’s magical lake and drumlin landscape, 150 km northwest of Dublin and is strategically placed close to major roads and rail networks.

Ballinamore sits advantageously between the major towns of the region giving unrivalled choice of access to a variety of interesting outings, making it an ideal place to visit and to base touring activities. Located at the centre of the Shannon-Erne waterway it is also a focal point for sport and tourism.

The town’s unique character and heritage make Ballinamore an ideal place to live and a memorable place to visit – with nearby attractions and leisure activities for all to enjoy.

the heart of hidden Ireland

Ballinamore G.P.S. 54.05265N 7.8010W

Dublin 2 hrsBelfast 2 hoursGalway 2 hoursIreland West Knock Airport 75 minutes

Photographs by Eunan Sweeney Photography, www.eunansweeneyphotography.com

Dublin

Cork

Belfast

Enniskillen

BallinamoreKnock

Athlone

Donegal

This project received grant aid from the Leitrim Development Company Rural Development Programme which is financed by the Irish Government under the Rural Development Programme Ireland 2007 - 2013 and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development Europe investing in Rural Areas.

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