TURN BACK THE CLOCK, BALLINAGLERA, County Leitrim

Do you remember (or imagine) holidays as they used to be?  West of Ireland, wildlife and farm life, beautiful scenery, where there was freedom to wander, always lots to do, and friendly people with time to chat?  You can have it all today just as it used to be, with added comforts! 

We, the people of Ballinaglera, welcome you.  Ballinaglera, County Leitrim, is an unspoiled and beautiful land nestled between spectacular Lough Allen and mystic Slieve an Iarainn, with thousands of years of history and mythology.  We invite you to get to know local customs and cures; local people and culture; local places and heritage; while staying in high quality accommodation, getting out in the pure fresh air, sampling a variety of activities, and in the evening, participating in a local traditional music session.    

Friday

Arrive at your accommodation.  A welcome food hamper will be waiting for you, including homemade soup and brown bread, essential groceries and locally grown vegetables.  We will also supply:

• Maps of the area and of the sky at night
• Details of your itinerary and stories associated with places visited
• Information on restaurants, pubs, local festivals and other events
• Information on farmers markets, local producers etc.

Settle in and let the quiet of the area relax your mind and body.  Take a stroll around your lodgings and after dark on a clear night, take a look at the stars.  Leitrim has minimal light pollution and the stars literally blaze down from the sky.  The map of the sky at night will help you name the constellations.  Orion’s Belt and the Great Bear can easily be identified and the Milky Way lies directly overhead.  At certain times of the year there are bursts of shooting stars and every night there are satellites to be seen wending their paths around the globe.

Saturday

Leitrim is full of wild birds and the dawn chorus here is second to none.  In fact, where you are staying is close to a proposed Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive.  We encourage our visitors to get up early to hear the birds – at their best from March to July, but still amazing the rest of the year.  This is not obligatory of course; those who wish can have a lie-in!

After breakfast, drive to Rynn’s Pub, Ballinaglera.  Meet the proprietor and your co-ordinator, who will give you an introduction to the community, its people, customs and history.  She will also introduce you to the “Leave No Trace” philosophy.

Walk along one of the local way-marked ways – there is one to suit all levels of fitness.  One walk includes St Brigid’s Well (reputed to have a cure for toothache); another brings you up a mountain path with wonderful views of Lough Allen. 

In the afternoon, you are invited to the Lough Allen Adventure Centre for a session of water-based or land-based activities.  Your choices include kayaking, sail-boarding or rafting on Lough Allen, or team-building games and/or archery in the Eco-Activity Centre.  All levels are catered for and your trainer, Kevin Currid, is highly experienced.  All equipment will be provided.  After your session, visit the adjacent Sweat House and St. Hugh’s Well (with a cure for confusion!)  If possible, while you are there, watch the sunset over Lough Allen, a truly mystical experience.

Back to your lodgings to rest and then you have a choice between cooking your own meal or visiting one of the restaurants in the area. 

Later in the evening you are invited to attend a traditional music session in a local pub, with local musicians.  All visitors are encouraged to participate, so brush up that party piece!  (This is not obligatory, we hasten to add.)  This will be a genuine experience and you will have the opportunity to mix with the local community.

Sunday

Sunday morning is traditionally a time for reflection.  We have therefore chosen two unique places for you to visit – the Shannon Pot and Cashel stone fort.  Both of these are on or near the Kingfisher Trail and bicycles and maps are provided for you.  The route is not on the main road, so the way is safe even if you are not a experienced cyclist.  The Shannon Pot is the source of the River Shannon and there are many myths associated with it.  It is a sacred and druidic place, held in reverence for thousands of years.

From the Shannon Pot, you can make your way to the townland of Moneygashel (the Bog of the Stone Fort).  Here there is an excellent example of a Cashel or stone ringfort dating from early Christian times.  From the Cashel, there is another route back to your lodgings.

Before leaving Ballinaglera, you are invited to return to Rynn’s Pub, where you can have a “deoch a’dorais” or farewell drink with your hosts and say goodbye to Leitrim.  Go n-éirí an bóthar libh!  (An old Irish saying - may the road rise with you.)

Accommodation details

We need a bit of advance notice to make sure this weekend is special for you so please email us before you book!