Essential Ireland > County Roscommon
The River Boyle flowing through the town of the same name.
The River Boyle flowing through the town of the same name.
County Roscommon
County Roscommon is located in the heart of the ‘invisible Ireland’, the part of the country which visitors rarely see. As a result it is a country of verdant, unspoiled beauty, with its undulating hillsides and fertile farmlands creating some of the most majestic vistas to be found anywhere in Ireland.

Indeed, the few visitors who do make their way to County Roscommon find some of the most gorgeous countryside in Europe, from island-dotted lakes to vast plains, bogland and meandering rivers, making it popular with outdoor enthusiasts of all descriptions, from hikers to cyclists and anglers.

Furthermore, its immunity to the rigours of mass tourism, and the fact that it was left to Irish proprietors following Cromwell’s conquest of Ireland in the 17th century, have also meant that County Roscommon has preserved much of its authentic culture. Many people continue to speak Irish to this day, while traditional music flourishes in its countless village pubs.

Among the most visited sites in County Roscommon are Boyle Abbey, the tranquil surrounding of Lough Key Forest Park and the imposing Roscommon Castle, giving visitors an insight into the history of this most intriguing county.

But it is precisely County Roscommon’s rather old world charm and intimacy that appeals most to visitors, guaranteeing a warm and friendly reception amidst some of the most serene scenery to be found anywhere in Ireland.