A very warm welcome back!
Roscommon is delighted to be able to welcome back visitors after this very challenging time. We look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones, who are exploring this beautiful county for the first time.
Staycation is certainly the buzzword of the season and we are spoilt for choice here in Ireland, with so many wonderful places to visit. County Roscommon may not be the first place that springs to mind when planning an Irish Staycation, but that is one of the reasons this beautiful county is so special.
There is space for you to breath here in Roscommon, as you explore the spectacular landscapes, the castles that tell stories of ancient kings and the tracks and trails that take you along the banks of the mighty River Shannon and through ancient woodlands.
Whether you are looking for a romantic weekend break or a holiday that all the family will love, Roscommon is a true getaway that gives you the chance to really relax and recharge the batteries.
Magnificent unspoilt Landscapes
The West of Ireland is well known for stunning, unspoilt landscapes. With the River Suck to the west and a shoreline of 140km of the mighty River Shannon to the east, Roscommon invites visitors to meander through inspiring countryside at their own pace.
Not only a tranquil setting for boating holidays, the area also has some of the best Trout and Pike fishing lakes and rivers in the region, including Lough Ree, River Suck, Lough O’Flynn, Kilglass Lakes, River Lung and the Boyle River.
Take a glimpse of ages past
Visitor centres, museums and stately homes tell the changing story of Roscommon throughout history.
The legendary Warrior Queen of Connacht, Queen Maeve (Medb) is said to have resided at Rathcroghan (one of the four major Royal sites of Ireland). The archaeological sites in Tulsk date back to 4500 BC and a visit to the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre gives you an insight to this fascinating period of Irish history, bringing these myths and secrets of ancient Ireland to life.
The 12th Century Cistercian Monastery of Boyle Abbey; Roscommon Castle (an amazing example of a 13th Century Norman Castle); Roscommon Abbey and Rindoon and St. John’s Castle invite visitors to enjoy a quiet moment and reflect on past times.
One very unique visitor attraction in Roscommon is the Arigna Mining Experience. The centre pays tribute to coal mining life, which has played a fundamental role in Arigna since the 1700s. Ex-miners guide you through the mines, where visitors discover what it was like to work in some of the narrowest coal seams in the western world.
Roscommon has a number of magnificent period homes that have been restored to their former glory. Strokestown Park House, Gardens & National Famine Museum is a stunning Georgian Palladian mansion, surrounded by glorious walled pleasure gardens. In stark contrast, the house is also home to the National Famine Museum and hosts a number of engaging events, which commemorate the history of the Great Irish Famine.
King House in Boyle was built in 1730 by the powerful landowning dynasty, the King family. The house later became a military barracks for the Irish regiment of the British army, the Connaught Rangers. The house contains absorbing exhibitions of its history, the Boyle Art collection and the Mary McAleese collection. The first President of Ireland, Dr. Douglas Hyde, was born in Castlerea in 1860.
Dr. Hyde’s contribution to modern Ireland is highlighted in the exhibition at the Douglas Hyde Interpretative Centre in Frenchpark.
Read more about all the Heritage attractions in Roscommon.
Explore our Walking & Cycling Trails
Roscommon is a sanctuary of wildflower meadows, native woodlands, peat bogs, turloughs, rivers and lakes. It is the perfect place to escape into nature.
Roscommon’s many miles of walks and trails are a wonderful way to experience the county. There are more than 20 walks of varying length and difficulty to explore amidst the wild beauty of native flora and fauna – and the Green Heartlands and the newly constructed Boyle to Lough Key Cycleway offer you the opportunity to cycle through this breathtaking landscape.
Our Trails section has full details of the lovely walks here to enjoy during your Roscommon Staycation!
Invigorating activities
The Roscommon landscape certainly lends itself to a variety of outdoor activities. Adventure centres like Shannon River Adventure in Rooskey and Baysports Water Sports Centre in Hodson Bay offer many land and water activities for individuals and groups. Baysports is also home to the world’s tallest floating slide – and its thrilling watercourse of interlinking walkways, slides, towers and obstacles covers almost an acre.
Lough Key Forest and Activity Park in Boyle is the complete family adventure. The award-winning park features Ireland’s only tree canopy walk, an outdoor adventure playground, a high wire aerial adventure centre ‘Zip-It’, Woodland Segways and the weather-independent Boda Borg puzzle house. With 800 acres of forest and parkland to explore and the Lakeside Café serving delicious homemade food, it is a fun-filled family day out.
Visit the Activities section to plan your family’s Roscommon Staycation adventure!
Relaxing places to stay
A choice of quality accommodation welcomes visitors to cosy self-catering cottages, camping and glamping sites in stunning locations and grand country hotels with beautiful grounds and gardens.
A set of magnificent medieval gates welcomes guests to the Kilronan Castle resort through an ancient forest, next to a beautiful lough. Arriving at the castle feels like something straight out of a fairytale.
To experience the relaxation of a real country escape you will find the most beautiful self-catering Scandinavian Pine Lodges that adjoin Lough Key, the Boyle River and Clarendon Lough at the Riverhaven eco-tourism development. And Willowbrook Glamping and Hideaways invite guests into the heart of the countryside with camping and glamping on 21 pristine acres.
With welcoming hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs waiting to extend a friendly Roscommon welcome, there is a place to stay to suit everyone.
Visit our Accommodation section for a full list of Fáilte Ireland approved accommodation in Roscommon.
However you choose to explore County Roscommon on your Staycation, you can rest assured that a very warm welcome awaits you.
