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If you're planning a staycation this summer, County Roscommon is truly the jewel in the crown of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
It's bursting with places to visit, a county of castles and ancient kings, of stately homes and spectacular landscapes.
If you're the outdoorsy type, Roscommon's got you covered with a fantastic selection of tracks and trails as well as a wonderful choice of outdoor activities.
One of the most popular cycle routes is the Boyle to Lough Key Cycleway which takes you from King House, past Boyle Abbey, Boyle Marina, along the banks of the Boyle Canal, through amazing woodland and onto the magnificent Lough Key.
It's 7.9km and it's an easy trail to navigate.
Other walks or trails include the Sliabh Bawn trails, the National Famine Way, Knockranny Wood Loop at Keadue, Cloonlarge Bog walk in Kilteevan, Castlerea trails, Suck Valley Way and Mote Park Trails.
There are way too many to name, but luckily you can find a full list at www.visitroscommon.ie.
A full range of boat tours, angling, cycling, and golf is also available throughout the county.
Eiméar Dowd, Tourism Officer with Roscommon County Council is keen to highlight the many attractions which the county has to offer to all ages.
“We have a range of fun activities in the county with everything from Lough Key Visitor Attraction to water-based activities at Baysports or why not learn more about our Heritage at Derryglad Folk Museum, Strokestown Park House, Rathcroghan Visitors Centre or the Arigna Mining Experience."
For some serious craic in gorgeous surroundings, Baysports Water Sports Centre is located on the shores of Lough Ree in Hodson Bay just outside Athlone.
It's home to Ireland’s largest inflatable waterpark - which is exactly as fun as it sounds!
The water adventure centre covers almost an acre of interlinking walkways, slides, towers and obstacles. A playground for children and adults alike!
You also need to put Lough Key Forest & Activity Park outside Boyle on your list!
Among the huge list of attractions there, you'll find the Tree Canopy Walk, the first of its kind in Ireland.
It's a 300m long creation of timber and steel gently rising 9m above the woodland floor offering an engaging ‘birds eye’ view of nature as it meanders through the treetops offering panoramic views of the island-studded lake.
If you'd like to take in the scenery with a little more adrenaline in the system, the high wire aerial adventure with Zip It is class - or you can take a woodland Segway to traverse some of the 800 acres of forest and parkland.
If that's not enough, try out the new Stand Up Paddling or Canoeing activities.
The Lough Key Experience will also take you on an engaging audio journey of Lough Key Forest and Activity Park with 19th century underground tunnels and the refurbished Moylurg viewing tower or try your luck negotiating your way through the 47 rooms of the Boda Borg Swedish puzzle house.
Boat hire is also available at Lough Key Boats with rowing boats available daily from 11am – 6pm.
The boat tour itself is off the water due to social distancing for now, however a 10 Seater Speed Boat will be doing tours from July.
Elsewhere, you could also visit the Arigna Mining Experience which is a unique community inspired initiative which records 400 years of mining history in the area. Ex miners will take you on a journey through a way of life and offer a unique glimpse into the past.
Other major attractions include Clonalis House outside Castlerea or the Rathcroghan Visitors Centre, telling the history, heritage, and folk culture of our past.
Shannon River Adventure outside Rooskey also offers many fun-filled water and land based activities including kayaking, canoeing, archery, mudslide, orienteering, pier-jumping, and a climbing wall– there is something to challenge and reward all ages and abilities.
For a great family day out why not explore Glendeer Pet Farm in Athlone or Tullyboy Farm, where children can let their imagination run wild and where adults can embrace their inner child.
You won't be stuck for choice of accommodation either!
Whether you want to enjoy a county house hotel, a friendly B&B, a cosy self-catering holiday cottage or enjoy stunning locations at a glamping, caravan or camping site, you are sure to find the ideal place to stay.
Kilronan Castle, The Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone Springs, The Abbey Hotel and Clonalis House are just some of the options available while Riverhaven Eco-Tourism Development boasts beautiful self- catering Scandinavian Pine Lodges adjacent to Lough Key. Willowbrook Glamping and Hideaway has a number of yurts and self-catering options.
Discover this beautiful Hidden Heartland- log onto www.visitroscommon.ie
