Glenfarne’s appeal lies in the contrast between trails by Lough MacNean and an unusual cultural destination: the Rainbow Ballroom of Romance. You can shape your stay around two distinct interests—time in the forest and by the water, or an insight into showband history and the events programme.
Forest trails and water at Lough MacNean
Glenfarne Wood is a 216-acre forest area on the shore of Lough MacNean. There are two options for walking time: the Glenfarne Demesne Cycle and Walking Trail is about 4 km long, takes around 1.5 hours and is rated easy. The Lough MacNean Trail in Glenfarne Wood is 2.5 km long, takes about an hour and is also considered easy. This makes the shorter route a more compact walking option; the distance and duration figures are approximate.
The Lough MacNean Sculpture Trail includes a section through Glenfarne Wood. The sculpture trail features eleven sculptures around Upper and Lower Lough MacNean. There is also a boat launch at the forest area’s car park, from which you can fish on the lake. Alongside the trails, you can therefore explore art in the landscape and enjoy an opportunity to fish on Lough MacNean.
Showband history at the Rainbow Ballroom
The Rainbow Ballroom of Romance was built in 1934 by John McGivern after he returned to his home in Leitrim from the United States. Today, the ballroom houses an exhibition of showband memorabilia, including collections of posters, photographs and vinyl records. The combination of venue and exhibition gives a cultural visit a distinct focus alongside the nature trails.
The showband exhibition offers weekday walk-in tours of the ballroom and museum from 9 am to 5 pm. The Rainbow Ballroom also hosts social dancing on the third Sunday of every month. If these times and dates matter to your plans, check the tour hours and event dates before travelling.
More trails and route connections
The SLNCR Greenway follows the route of the former Sligo Leitrim Northern Counties Railway and passes through Glenfarne. Nearby, the SLNCR Greenway Glenfarne is an easy, 2 km linear off-road cycling route; the stated duration is 10 minutes. Route details may change, so check them before setting out. Another nearby option is the Glenfarne Forest Woods Walk: this self-guided circular route uses forest roads and trails and offers three signposted options of different lengths.
The Leitrim Way also offers another route connection: at Dowra, it connects with other routes that lead through Glenfarne and Coolegraine to Manorhamilton. Together with the shorter trails, this gives you a choice of measured walks, a cycling route in the area and a longer route connection.
More cultural themes in County Leitrim
If you’re exploring cultural destinations in County Leitrim beyond Glenfarne, there are other distinct themes to discover. 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 displays and explanatory panels complement the presentation. These examples broaden the perspective on County Leitrim’s cultural history, while Glenfarne itself brings together forest trails and the Rainbow Ballroom’s showband history.
Discover more destinations: Drumkeeran, Manorhamilton, Carrigallen, Ballinamore, Dromahair, Carrick On Shannon, Kilclare, Cloone.
For the broader travel overview: County Leitrim.
