Perhaps you have just arrived in town for your mid-week break and you want to figure your way around. A good place to start is right where you are – at the riverside. If you just step outside your door, you will find plenty to see, all based around the magnificent River Shannon. So whether it’s you and your beloved, the kiddos or the dogs, you can explore the town on foot and get to see all that is on offer …
The oldest rowing club in Ireland and the second oldest in Europe, the Carrick-on-Shannon club has survived the Famine, the civil war and the Black and Tans. They have an annual regatta each August and the Head of the Shannon each February Carrick Rowing Club was established in 1836 and is a thriving club to this day.
Walking past the Rowing Club and alongside the river you may see some of the small number of house boats still lived in. Further on, under the stone arch that is part of the main road to Sligo, you’ll find the Moon River Cruiser moored by the quay wall. Make a mental note to look this up – a cruise on the Shannon is a must-do when you visit Carrick.
As you walk along by the river, past the pleasure cruisers and boats, you eventually come to the Riverside Park, a community space filled with wildflowers, willow sculptures, a free books / library box, art work and walkways out over the river. This is a gorgeous walk just 5 minutes from your accommodation and will help get your bearings for your short stay in Carrick.
Back at the rowing club and walk the other way you will find the entrance to the People’s Park, a town park along the river, with benches to rest, a lane for boules and a short cut to the marina with more cruisers. If tennis is your thing, you can contact Carrick on Shannon Tennis Club, whose courts are located right beside the park (contact@carrickonshannontennisclub.ie).
Keep walking and you find yourself just in front of The Dock, the town’s arts centre, the 18th century re-purposed former court house, which re-opened to the public in 2005. The building now houses a black box theatre, three spacious galleries and the wonderful Leitrim Design House. Have a look at The Dock’s website or social media to find out about any upcoming events: https://www.thedock.ie/
Leaving The Dock behind and walking back towards the Main St., you will see across the road in front of you, the Costello Chapel, which is the smallest chapel in Ireland. If you’re looking for romance, with a bit of gothic tragedy thrown in for good measure, a visit to the historic Costello Chapel is a must! Tucked away between 2 pubs (Armstrong’s is currently closed) this tiny building is thought to be one of the world’s smallest chapels.
Located behind gates, off the footpath that winds around the corner of Bridge St. and the Main St. the small Catholic Chapel was built in 1879 by the grieving Edward Costello, in memory of his late wife, Mary Josephine. Nowadays the chapel is a crypt, containing the burial places of both Edward and Mary Josephine. The Chapel is open each day throughout the year and it will only take a couple of moments of your time.
Now that you have visited all of these places, it might be a good time to take a short break before venturing off again. We recommend Cake Me Away, VDA Coffee, Tegi’s Tea Room, The Olive Tree or St.Honoré’s, all located a couple of minutes walk away! If you have your canine companions with you, there is plenty of space outside many of our cafés to sit outside and watch the world go by, with your pal by your side.
