Lakes, railways and art in Dromod
Dromod lies on the shore where Lough Boderg (Lake of the Red Cow) and Lough Bofin (Lake of the White Cow) meet. The lake landscape provides a clear focal point for the town, while its railway heritage and a sculpture offer distinct points of interest. This combination can help you decide what you would like to focus on during your stay, without requiring you to follow a fixed route.
The Cavan and Leitrim Railway Museum in Dromod displays a section of the original Cavan and Leitrim Railway. The railway line opened in 1887 and closed in 1959. The museum’s collection also includes the steam locomotive Nancy, built in 1908. The focus is therefore on both the history of a railway line and a specific, named locomotive. Those interested in railway history will find a different perspective here from the lakes and art in the town.
The Weeping Tree is a sculpture in Dromod, made by a local craftsperson from a single piece of bog oak. Its material and method of creation give the work a distinctive craft profile. Together with the railway museum, it broadens the town’s cultural offerings to include contemporary craftsmanship.
Getting there by train and bus
Dromod station is served by the Dublin Connolly–Sligo railway line. Bus route 564 between Ballinamore and Carrick on Shannon also runs there. Train and bus therefore offer different connections for planning your journey. Check the current timetables and service information for your travel dates, as routes and bus services may change.
Waterways and routes for your trip
In the area around Dromod, the River Shannon, the Rinn and Eslin rivers, and Pigeon Island Bay, Bog, Gortinty and Cloonboniagh are listed as popular coarse-fishing waters. A water route offers another point of reference: continuing through a staffed lock takes a further hour to reach Dromod Harbour. This time estimate applies to that onward journey; check current navigation conditions when planning a specific trip.
Routes and culture in County Leitrim
County Leitrim also offers different types of routes and timeframes. The first section of the Shannon Blueway includes 16.5 km of water trails, as well as circular walking and cycling routes between Drumshanbo and Carrick-on-Shannon. The 600 m-long Acres Lake Boardwalk is part of a 6.5 km linear walking and cycling trail: it runs from Acres Lake in Drumshanbo to Battlebridge Lock near Leitrim Village. This gives you a choice of circular routes and a linear trail. The Leitrim Way is on a different scale: this 56 km long-distance walking trail runs from Manorhamilton to Leitrim Village and usually takes two to three days.
County Leitrim also offers a range of historical subjects for those interested in culture. Parke’s Castle is a restored early 17th-century castle on the northern shore of Lough Gill. An exhibition at the Kiltyclogher Heritage Centre is dedicated to Seán MacDiarmada, a signatory of the 1916 Proclamation; audiovisual facilities and explanatory panels accompany it. A historic building and an exhibition about a specific person therefore offer distinct cultural subjects to explore.
Discover more destinations: Drumsna, Drumkeeran, Carnhill, Drumnafinnila, Glenfarne, Kilclare, Keshcarrigan, Kinlough.
For the broader travel overview: County Leitrim.
