Plan your next stay at Gleesons and explore the many nearby hidden gems Roscommon and surrounding areas have on offer. We have picked our top attractions we recommend to our guests all less than 45 minutes from Gleesons.
Dine with us at our Manse restaurant once you’ve worked up an appetite discovering the very best of the Hidden Heartlands. You can also avail of a free guided walking tour from our expert tour guide around the town of Roscommon, see what is in walking from Gleesons here.
Suck Valley Way (9.4km/10mins)
The Suck Valley Way offers a truly tranquil walking experience, meandering along the banks of the River Suck, with its numerous lakes and drainage channels. This circular walking route is 105km in length and passes through counties Roscommon & Galway.
Cloonlarge Bog walk(10.5km/12mins)
This looped Bog Road walk allows you to explore the flora and fauna of the Kilteevan Peatlands. Information boards on the local butterflies, a locally-made Turf Hopper, together with quirky creative wood craft are all located along the trail.
Rathcroghan visitor centre (17.8km/15mins)
Known as the Ancient Capital of Connacht, where the festival of Samhain (Halloween) is said to originate. This majestic landscape is the oldest and largest unexcavated Royal Site in Europe. Experience Rathcroghan’s rich archaeology, mythology and history through our interpretive rooms and expertly guided tours.
Rindoon and St. John’s Castle (18.7km/21mins)
The abandoned medieval town of Rindoon is situated on the peninsula of St. John’s Point on the western shores of Lough Ree and is one of Ireland’s best kept secrets, it’s only 20 minutes from Athlone town. The medieval town has preserved remains of Rindoon Castle, it’s town wall, medieval hospital, church and mill. A perfect trail to stroll with the family following the looped walk through the ruins of this once powerful medieval town.
Strokestown House Gardens (20.1km)/19mins)
The Walled Gardens at Strokestown Park, dates back to the 1700s. Home to beautiful glasshouses, a rose garden, a pond, maze and wild garden. Due to refurbishments the house is temporarily closed for tours but you can find information at.
Derryglad Folk Park Museum (22.6km/ 22mins)
See all kinds of artifacts from restored horse-drawn machinery to a 1930’s old-style thatched bar and find hundreds of pieces from the past 200 years that would have been found in rural homes across Ireland.
Elphin Windmill (27.1km/24mins)
In Elphin, Co.Roscommon you will find the only fully restored windmill in the west of Ireland. Originally used for grinding grains, now houses a visitor centre where the workings if the windmill are interpreted and demonstrated. On site there is an agricultural museum with various machinery associated with harvesting grain.
Sliabh Bawn (19km/26mins)
Throughout the forest are looped walks, a trim trail for fitness, an equestrian trail, a raised viewing platform and a new picnic area. home of the Sliabh Bawn Wind Farm which comprises 20 turbines and a substation. walking trails range in distance from 2.7km to 6.5km and would be graded as either easy or moderate difficulty making them suitable for family groups to enjoy. The mountain is made up of two main peaks, the highest being 262m high. The second peak is 254m high and is the location of the Holy Year Cross.
Tara Curley
Cloondara (28.1km/26mins)
Cloondara just 25mins from Gleesons is a picturesque harbour village. It marks the end of the Royal Canal and a brilliant starting point if you wish to cycle along the canal on the Greenway.
you can also follow this route as it is joined by the national famine way that begins in Strokestown house and follows along the canal and follow in the footsteps of 1,490 people, who walked the 165 kilometre route through six counties from Strokestown Park to ships in Dublin in 1847, at the height of the Irish Famine. You can get your famine passport at www.nationalfamineway.ie
www.waterwaysireland.org/greenways/royal-canal/trailhead/5/cloondara
Ciaran Lennon
King House (41.9km/36mins)
King House in Boyle, County Roscommon, was originally built in 1720 as the main residence of the powerful King Family, the house later became a military barracks to the Connaught Rangers. Today in the house you can see life sized figures, interactive displays and activities all serve to tell the varied role this intriguing house has played over the centuries. King House is also home to the McAleese Collection and the Boyle Civic Art Collection.
Boyle Abbey (42.3km/37mins)
This Cistercian monastery was founded in the twelfth century by monks from Mellifont Abbey under the patronage of the local ruling family, the MacDermotts. It was one of the most powerful of the early Cistercian foundations in Ireland and among the foremost in Connacht. Boyle Abbey is well preserved and a magnificent attraction to visit in Roscommon.
Lough Key Forest & Activity Park (46.1km/42mins)
A beautiful 200 acres forest with amazing walking and cycling trails. Previously the Rockingham estate you can take a tour of the underground servant tunnels, take in the views of Mac Dermot’s castle on the lake from the Moylurg Viewing tower and stroll along the treetops on canopy trail. With many historical features to be discovered amongst the grounds there are also many activities from bike or rowboat hire to zip lines and kayaks. There is a Lakeside visitor centre and café on site at Lough Key.
