Keshcarrigan between lakes and waterways
Accommodation in Keshcarrigan
Keshcarrigan lies between Lough Scur and Keshcarrigan Lough on the Shannon-Erne Waterway, near Lock 12. The lakes and waterway define the area’s geography; it is also home to a historic Bronze Age find and traces of the 1798 Rebellion. You can get to know Keshcarrigan through both its waterside landscape and its past.
Lakes, hills and waterway
Keshcarrigan lies on Lough Scur, at the foot of the Sheebeg and Sheemore Hills. Waterways Ireland operates a marina here, and Keshcarrigan is popular with anglers. Both a named waterside facility and fishing are therefore part of the area’s appeal. Fr. Mychal Judge Memorial Park lies south of Keshcarrigan and offers views across Keshcarrigan Lough. It adds a distinct landscape feature to the surrounding lakes and hills.
Archaeology and history
The Keshcarrigan Bowl was found in Keshcarrigan in 1854 and dates from the Bronze Age. An ancient pagan burial site can also be seen from Lough Scur. Another clearly defined historical connection is the 1798 Rebellion: General Humbert marched through Keshcarrigan towards Ballinamuck with his contingents of United Irishmen and French soldiers. The Bronze Age and the march during the Rebellion thus represent different periods in the area’s history.
Geology and art at Keshcarrigan Quarries
Keshcarrigan Quarries expose Mississippian limestone from the Lower Carboniferous Bricklieve Limestone Formation. As a County Geological Site, they are of palaeontological and karst interest. At the entrance to the old quarry stands a modern artwork depicting an interpretation of the legend of Fionn Mac Cumghaill. The quarries are on private land; you may enter only with the owner’s permission. Bear this restriction in mind when incorporating the site’s geological and historical associations into your plans.
More ways to explore County Leitrim
The wider destination of County Leitrim offers other travel experiences at different scales. The first section of the Shannon Blueway includes 16.5 km of waterways, as well as circular walking and cycling routes between Drumshanbo and Carrick-on-Shannon. The Leitrim Way is a 56 km long-distance walking route from Manorhamilton to Leitrim Village; it usually takes two to three days. The difference is useful when planning: the Blueway focuses on waterways and circular routes, while the Leitrim Way is a multi-day walking route. Also in County Leitrim is Parke’s Castle, a restored early 17th-century castle on the northern shore of Lough Gill. The 600 m-long Acres Lake Boardwalk is part of a 6.5 km linear walking and cycling route from Acres Lake in Drumshanbo to Battlebridge Lock near Leitrim Village.
For the wider travel guide: County Leitrim.
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