Experience history and nature in Kiltyclogher

Kiltyclogher brings together stories about Seán MacDiarmada and nature experiences on the Dean’s Lake Trail. The Heritage Centre, a monument at the central crossroads and historic buildings give the village a clear cultural focus. If you would like to add some time outdoors to your stay, the easy circular trail offers another way to get to know the area. Nearby, you’ll find more places to visit: a guided tour to the glacial valley of Corranmore and experiences along the Fowley’s Falls Cycle Route.

Seán MacDiarmada and Kiltyclogher

The Kiltyclogher Heritage Centre houses an exhibition about Seán MacDiarmada, a signatory of the 1916 Proclamation. The centre opened in November 2014 in the former courthouse in the centre of Kiltyclogher. This provides a specific starting point for exploring the village’s history: the exhibition is dedicated to a person whose name is also associated with nearby heritage. The Heritage Centre offers guided tours to Seán MacDiarmada’s family home.

The Seán Mac Diarmada Cottage is located near the destination. It is the only surviving original family home of any of the seven signatories of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic. Guided tours to the house pass through scenic surroundings to the glacial valley of Corranmore. This makes it possible to combine learning about history with a tour that also takes in the landscape around the house.

Another reminder of history can be found at the Seán MacDermott Monument in Kiltyclogher. The free-standing statue, made of Irish limestone, was created by Albert Power in 1940 and stands at the central crossroads. It is listed as a protected structure. Kiltyclogher’s Church of Ireland is also listed as a protected structure; it was built around 1860. Its features include a stone bellcote and a rose window. Together, the monument and church offer different opportunities to explore local history and architectural styles.

Dean’s Lake Trail and outdoor excursions

The Dean’s Lake Trail is an easy, 1 km circular route, with a stated duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It leads into a Coillte forest where deciduous trees grow along a small stream. At the end of the trail is an old cottage with seating for a picnic. The circular route therefore has several clearly identified features: forest, stream and cottage. You can take these details into account when planning a walk, without confusing the route with the wider range of destinations in the surrounding area.

Public transport to the Dean’s Lake Trail is listed as Local Link 983A. If you would like to include the trail in your stay, this route information is a useful point of reference. The walk and Kiltyclogher’s cultural attractions offer different experiences: a manageable loop through a forest on the one hand, and an exhibition, guided tours and historic buildings on the other.

Nearby, the Fowley’s Falls Cycle Route offers other perspectives. At Barr Climb, it includes a viewpoint overlooking Lough Melvin and County Fermanagh across the lake. There are also several paths along the route leading down to the river, from where the waterfalls can be seen. The viewpoint and the waterfalls are two distinct features of the same cycle route; the paths described lead to the river for views of the waterfalls.

Which holiday apartment suits your stay?

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can decide based on the experiences that interest you most: Seán MacDiarmada’s history and Kiltyclogher’s buildings, the Dean’s Lake Trail, or excursions in the surrounding area. These destinations offer different kinds of experiences, from an exhibition and guided tours to a circular walk and viewpoints along a cycle route. If you would like to combine several of these interests, group the destinations by their stated location and include the information about Local Link 983A for the trail in your travel plans.

Other places: Rossinver, Mohill, Tullaghan, Drumshanbo, Kilclare, Drumsna, Leitrim and Ballinamore.

For the broader travel overview: County Leitrim.