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Town in County Leitrim, Ireland
Photo: Peter Gavigan, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Carrick-on-Shannon is the county town of County Leitrim in northwest Ireland, and grew up at a place where the Shannon could be forded. (A soggy experience, as the town's Irish name of Cora Droma Rúisc means "weir of the marshy ridge"). Later the river was bridged, so Carrick and the south bank village of Cortober in County Roscommon became a single settlement. In the early 19th century Carrick was an important river port when the Shannon navigation was improved, and the Royal Canal connected all the way to Dublin. Water traffic faded with the coming of the railways, but in the 20th / 21st century was revived by pleasure craft. In 2022 Carrick had a population of 4700.
Lively family-friendly Italian-cum-Irish restaurant.
This gastropub gets great reviews for food and service, booking recommended.
Trad country pub established 1734. Live music, dog-friendly, free camping available.
Comfy mid-range hotel founded circa 1800, mostly good reviews.
Smart friendly place with good restaurant.
Welcoming B&B 1 km east of town. They also run five self-catering houses in town centre.
Charming B&B 3 km north of town.
Comfy modern place at the waterside.
Well-equipped site on the riverside 1 km northwest of Leitrim village. They also have glamping pods and run Beirne's pub adjacent.
Although the town is often simply referred to as Carrick, always give it the full "on Shannon" when organising transport, as several other places are named for An Charraig, a crag or rock.
Read in the guideThe town won't take long to explore on foot. You need wheels or a boat to explore along the river.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
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