The words of the song entitled ‘Lovely Leitrim’, which was immortalised by country singer Larry Cunningham, remind us of one of the most beautiful places in Ireland. Lovely Leitrim, surrounded by six counties, is a tourist’s paradise to which visitors return again and again. The Shannon, the longest river in Ireland, winds its way through the county and its lakes and waterways attract thousands of tourists year after year. The Shannon / Erne Waterway, reopened in 1994, provides for those interested in river cruising the opportunity to navigate their way through counties Cavan, Fermanagh and Leitrim. Anglers from many countries are drawn to Leitrim by the prospect of being able to fish on any of the forty one lakes situated within a radius of 10kms. of Carrick - on - Shannon. Many visitors choose to explore the county on foot. The North Leitrim Glens attract both the experienced and the amateur hill - walker. Glencar waterfall, immortalised by Poet W. B. Yeats, is one of the beauty spots most frequently visited by tourists. Lough Allen, famed in song and story, is the first lake on the river Shannon. This lake acts as a reservoir for the Power Station at Ard na Crusha, near Limerick.
But Lough Allen is probably best remembered for a terrible tragedy that occurred in 1831. It was customary for many of the people who lived on the northern side of the lake to make the weekly journey by boat to the market in Drumshanbo. They brought with them their farm produce. With the money made from its sale they bought the provisions needed at home. Early on the Good Friday morning of 2nd April twenty five people assembled at Corry shore, intending to make the journey to Drumshanbo. But the boat could only accommodate eighteen people, so seven had to return home. When the farm produce had been loaded into the boat the sails were unfurled and the oars manned.
But Lough Allen is probably best remembered for a terrible tragedy that occurred in 1831. It was customary for many of the people who lived on the northern side of the lake to make the weekly journey by boat to the market in Drumshanbo. They brought with them their farm produce. With the money made from its sale they bought the provisions needed at home. Early on the Good Friday morning of 2nd April twenty five people assembled at Corry shore, intending to make the journey to Drumshanbo. But the boat could only accommodate eighteen people, so seven had to return home. When the farm produce had been loaded into the boat the sails were unfurled and the oars manned.