County Leitrim is bordered by County Donegal, County Sligo, County Fermanagh, County Cavan, County Roscommon and County Longford. As regards population, County Leitrim has the lowest of all the counties in Ireland with just over 25,000 people and has the unique claim to fame of having experienced continued population decline since 1841. Today Leitrim is a town and county that is developing while keeping all of its original character and charm. Under section 23 which is a government plan to focus development in certain areas of Ireland, Leitrim has undergone significant development. This is due in no small way because it is situated along the river Shannon which is a massive tourist attraction to not just the foreign visitors to Ireland, but also to the Irish. The River Shannon runs through Leitrim and Carrick on Shannon before heading south towards Athlone and Portumna. North of Leitrim on the river you can travel through the Shannon-Erne water way which heads through Enniskillen and into Lower and Upper Lough Erne. In many people's opinion, Leitrim is vastly underrated as a destination for both Irish and tourist visitors. Within easy reach of Dublin due to the upgrading of many roads to motorways, the county offers stunning untouched views of the rolling countryside alongside the character of a country town. Among the main towns in County Leitrim are Leitrim Town, Carrick on Shannon, Drumshambo and Manorhamilton. If you are planning to visit Leitrim, make sure to organise a day boat and to spend some time on the River Shannon. The Shannon is probably the best river in Europe for cruising and offers up stunning views of untouched landscape along the way. If you do head out onto the Shannon, you are guaranteed to be counting the days until you can return such is the beauty and serenity of the river. |
