Retrace your family’s footsteps

You may have grown up, hearing family stories of connections to Roscommon. Why not bring that to life, come visit our great County, do some research in advance and you will have the chance to visit some of the places your family had connections with or simply come and enjoy our county and try the famous Roscommon Bucket List.

Try out Roscommon’s Bucket List

Roscommon is part of Irelands Hidden Heartlands and as a result more people are beginning to realise its hidden treasures. It is renowned as a place where memories are made whether you are young or just young at heart!

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

To give you a sample of why Roscommon is worth a visit whether you are a Rossie or not here are a few bucket list ideas:

While not on the sea, there is no shortage of water! Roscommon hosts the longest River Shannon shoreline, in excess of 140 km, a magnet for anyone interested in water sports of all kinds from the gentle pursuit of angling and kayaking to the more adrenaline rush of water skiing, diving or flying down the Guinness World Record tallest inflatable waterslide in South Roscommon.
Check out Ireland’s gateway to hell, the legendary Oweynagat, at Rathcroghan which was described as the entrance to the Otherworld by fearful Christian Scribes. Rathcroghan dates back to 4500 BC and has over 240 archaeological sites with 60 of these protected national Monuments.
Experience what it was like to be the Lady or Lord of one of Roscommon’s castles.
Have afternoon tea, enjoy a recital or stay in one of Roscommon’s beautiful fully restored period homes such as Clonalis House or Castlecoote House
Meet the local experts as you peruse some of the County’s museums, all of which mark and tell the story of Roscommon and its people in times gone by.
Climb high and test your fear of heights in Lough Key or stay on the ground and retrace the steps of the servants who worked in Rockingham House.
Check out whether you would have made a great miner in Arigna Mining Museum. If you are nearby in December, Santa might even greet you!
Trace your ancestors at the Roscommon Genealogy and Heritage Centre, the National Famine Museum in Strokestown Park House or Roscommon County Museum in Roscommon town.
Travel back in time and visit Rinn Duin deserted medieval town.
Or test your limits by running to the top of Sliabh Ban or Mote Park to view the panoramic landscape laid out for you!

For more great ideas of things to do in County Roscommon

www.visitroscommon.ie

How to get to Roscommon

Due to Roscommon’s central location in Ireland, there is a range of options to travel to the county including rail and car with close proximity to both Dublin and Ireland West airports.

By Air

Ireland West Airport

Located just ten minutes drive from County Roscommon, Ireland West Airport Knock is the main international airport for the West, North West and Midlands regions of Ireland. With over 215 international destinations, Ireland West Airport flight schedule includes a range of flights from airlines such as Flybe, Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, Aer Lingus Regional and Ryanair. Car hire facilities are available at the airport from Budget, Avis, Europcar and Hertz.

For more information visit: www.irelandwestairport.com

Other international airports:

Roscommon can also be easily accessed from:

Dublin Airport: www.dublinairport.com

Cork Airport: www.corkairport.com

Shannon Airport: www.shannonairport.ie

By Rail

There are four Train Stations in County Roscommon:

Boyle, Carrick on Shannon, Castlerea and Roscommon Town.

Three Irish Rail Intercity lines run through County Roscommon:

From Dublin (Connolly Station) – the Sligo line stops at stations in Boyle and Carrick on Shannon.
From Dublin (Heuston Station) – the Westport line stops at Castlerea and Roscommon stations as well as Athlone.
From Dublin (Heuston Station) – the Galway line stops at Athlone and Ballinasloe which are both close to the county.

For more information and to book your train ticket, visit www.irishrail.ie

By Road

By Bus

County Roscommon Expressway Services

Bus Eireann Expressway/Intercity Services link major towns and cities across the Republic of Ireland and four Expressway services operate in County Roscommon, seven days a week, as follows:

Dublin – Athlone – Westport
Dublin – Dublin Airport – Mullingar – Longford – Charlestown – Ballina
Dublin – Dublin Airport – Mullingar – Longford – Carrick on Shannon – Sligo
Galway – Athlone – Cavan – Monaghan – Belfast

County Roscommon Regional Services

A number of Bus Eireann Regional Services operate in the county and include daily Town to Town services as well as a small number of Rural Services which only operate one day per week to market towns from a hinterland catchment area. The Regional Services in the county are as follows:

Galway – Mountbellew – Roscommon – Longford (Mon – Sat)
Galway – Tuam – Castlerea (Mon – Sat)
Ballina – Charlestown – Longford (Mon – Sat)
Castlerea – Ballintubber – Roscommon (Fri only)
Sligo – Castlerea (Sat only)
Roscommon – Athlone (Mon – Fri)

For more information and to book your bus ticket visit www.buseireann.ie

What’s On

www.visitroscomon.ie lists all festivals and events throughout the year which might help you to decide when to visit! Check it out on

www.visitroscommon.ie/events

Where to Stay

County Roscommon has a wide variety of accommodation options for solo travellers, families and groups. The options include castle hotels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts and self-catering.

Check out a listing of Fáilte approved accommodation at www.visitroscommon.ie/accommodation