Glenfarne: Forest, Lough MacNean and Showband History

Glenfarne brings together woodland and trails with a special chapter in music history. Glenfarne Wood covers 216 acres and lies on the shore of the lake; the Rainbow Ballroom of Romance is a local landmark. If you would like to include nature and culture in your trip, you will find a range of options here. When looking for a holiday rental in Glenfarne, it may therefore be helpful to consider whether you would most like to experience woodland trails and water, cycling and fishing, or the history of showbands.

Woodland Trails, Sculptures and Lough MacNean

A section of the Lough MacNean Sculpture Trail runs through Glenfarne Wood. The sculpture trail includes eleven sculptures around Upper and Lower Lough MacNean. The combination of woodland and art makes this a special option for anyone who wants to discover the landscape not only on a walk, but also through works of art. The scope of the trail is specific: part of the Sculpture Trail is in Glenfarne Wood, while the eleven sculptures as a whole are spread around Upper and Lower Lough MacNean.

Glenfarne Wood has two easy trails of different lengths. The Glenfarne Demesne Cycling and Walking Trail is about 4 km long and takes approximately 1.5 hours. The Lough MacNean Trail in the woods is 2.5 km long; it is listed as taking about an hour. Both trails are rated easy. You can take the distance and duration into account when deciding which route better suits your day’s plans.

The SLNCR Greenway Glenfarne also runs through the area: an easy, 2 km linear off-road cycling route with a listed duration of 10 minutes. The greenway follows the route of the former Sligo Leitrim Northern Counties Railway and passes through Glenfarne. Parking is available at the start. The Glenfarne Forest Woods Walk is also nearby. This self-guided circular walk follows forest roads and paths, with three signposted options of different lengths. So, alongside the routes with stated distances, there are circular options to choose from, each with a different length.

Glenfarne Wood is located off the N16, near the Rainbow Ballroom of Romance. There is a boat launch at the forest car park, from where you can fish on Lough MacNean. If you would like to focus your stay on woodland, the lake and fishing, you will find a specific nature and waterside option here. The Leitrim Way connects with other routes at Dowra, which lead via Glenfarne and Coolegraine to Manorhamilton.

The Rainbow Ballroom and Showband History

The Rainbow Ballroom of Romance was built in 1934 by John McGivern after he returned to his home in Leitrim from the United States. Today, the ballroom houses an exhibition of showband memorabilia, including posters, photographs and vinyl collections. Anyone interested in music history can combine a visit with a look at these varied collection items.

Social dancing takes place at the Rainbow Ballroom on the third Sunday of every month. The showband exhibition offers guided tours of the ballroom and museum on weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm, with no advance booking required. This gives you two distinct reasons to visit when planning your trip: the exhibition and its memorabilia, and the regularly scheduled dance. Before choosing your travel dates, check whether the third Sunday of the month fits your plans.

Choose the Focus of Your Stay

If you are looking for a holiday rental, start with the experiences you definitely want to include; you can then plan the rest of your stay around them.

More places to discover: Kiltyclogher, Ballinamore, Drumsna, Drumreagh, Tullaghan, Drumshanbo, Drumkeeran and Kinlough.

Go to the main travel overview: County Leitrim.