Carrick-on-Shannon Itineraries
Half a day or a full weekend. Here are the best ways to spend your time in Carrick-on-Shannon, planned step by step.
Whether you have a few hours off the train or a full weekend to explore, these itineraries give you a local’s route through Carrick-on-Shannon. Each one links directly to the restaurants and activities along the way.
Half a day in Carrick
The version that works if you have come off the train, or pulled in off the N4 with an afternoon to spend. It stays inside the 1.4 km town loop and finishes on the water.
- 110:00·30 minutes
Coffee on Bridge Street
Start at Coffey's, which bakes its own bread and cakes and opens seven days. It is at the bottom of Bridge Street, which is the right end of town to begin at.
View Coffey's Pastry Case & Home Bakery - 210:30·10 minutes
The Costello Memorial Chapel
Two minutes uphill, at the junction opposite the town clock. Sixteen feet by twelve, with both of the Costellos in glass-topped vaults either side of the door. Bring a phone torch for the inscriptions.
View Costello Memorial Chapel - 310:45·1 hour
Up Main Street to St George's
Follow the bronze plaques set into the western footpath up towards Church Lane. They mark the route towards the Famine workhouse at Summerhill. The heritage centre at the top covers the church, the workhouse and the Earl Grey emigration records.
View St George's Heritage and Visitor Centre - 412:00·45 minutes
The Dock
Back down and west along St George's Terrace to the old county courthouse. Three galleries, free to walk into, plus the Leitrim Design House craft shop. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Saturday, ten to five, and it closes on bank holidays.
View The Dock - 513:00·1 hour
Lunch at the Market Yard
The Olive Tree in Unit 4 of the Market Yard does homemade lunches and coffee with covered outdoor seating. On a Thursday, the farmers' market is running in the same yard until two.
View The Olive Tree Café & Wine Bar - 614:00·Allow a couple of hours including boarding
Out on the river
Finish on the water with a public sailing on the Moon River from the quay. The boat is enclosed and heated, so this is the part of the day that survives Leitrim weather. Book before eleven that morning.
View Moon River Shannon Cruise
A full day on and off the water
For a day when the forecast is decent and you want the river as well as the town. It runs upstream in the morning, comes back for the heritage in the afternoon, and finishes on Bridge Street.
- 109:00·45 minutes
Breakfast and provisions
Coffee and something baked on Bridge Street, then the butcher on Main Street if you are putting a picnic together. On a Thursday, do this at the market in the Market Yard instead.
View Coffey's Pastry Case & Home Bakery - 210:00·About 3 hours 30 minutes
Paddle the Blueway down from Leitrim Village
Get yourself and a craft up to Leitrim Village and paddle the eight kilometres back down to Carrick on the Shannon Blueway. Waterways Ireland grades it intermediate and reckons about three and a half hours. Check the wind first: the water widens as it comes into town and roughens fast.
View Shannon Blueway Paddle, Leitrim Village to Carrick - 314:00·1 hour 15 minutes
Late lunch by the river
The Red Bank on St George's Terrace is the town's occasion kitchen and is a short walk from where you will land. Hours are not published, so ring ahead if you are working to a schedule.
View The Red Bank Restaurant - 415:30·1 hour 30 minutes
The town loop on foot
The 1.4 km walk from The Dock through the town clock and the Costello Chapel up to St George's and back down to the bridge. It takes in the arts centre, the chapel, the plaque trail and the 1846 bridge.
View The Dock - 518:00·2 hours
Dinner on Bridge Street
The Oarsman is the benchmark kitchen in town and the room is small, so book. Lunch runs Thursday to Saturday and dinner Wednesday to Saturday, with the site listing Tuesday two different ways.
View The Oarsman - 621:00·Until you leave
Music at Cryan's
Two doors down. Sessions on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights, and bluegrass on Fridays, which is not a thing you find in most Connacht towns.
View Cryan's Teach Ceoil
Ready to plan your visit?
Check live train departures and the weather forecast before you head out.