Area · Co. Leitrim
Keshcarrigan Lough
A small, quiet lake in south Leitrim under the old burial hill of Sheebeg, beside the Shannon–Erne Waterway — the bank fishing, the Blueway moorings, and a village famous for its backwards parades.
The route
The Leitrim Way is a 56 km point-to-point trail from Manorhamilton in the Five Glens to the Leitrim village marina (Sport Ireland measures it at 58.9 km), and it is one of Ireland’s National Waymarked Trails. It is usually walked over two to three days, and the waymarking is a yellow arrow on black. The overall grade is strenuous, though that is mostly the first day.
What the days are like
The first day climbs out of the glen floor to the top of the Boleybrack range, where the remote mountain lake of Doo Lough marks the highest point of the walk. From there the route descends along the Leitrim–Cavan border, passes the source of the River Shannon at Dowra — a meeting point of three National Waymarked Trails — and comes down through Ballinagleragh, with its cluster of old sweat-houses, to the shores of Lough Allen. The final stretch follows the Allen Canal and the Shannon Blueway past Drumshanbo to the marina at Leitrim village, and the last kilometres are the gentlest on the route.
Practicalities
The route is linear, so transport is needed at the far end (or a long drive back). A footbridge over the Yellow River, south of Ballinagleragh, means the route no longer drops to the R207 to cross the river. Part of the trail has at times been closed for works — check with the management committee before setting out. Dogs are not allowed on the trail.