Lough Key Forest and Activity ParkLough Key's forest park runs along the shore near Boyle, with a canopy walk up in the trees and wooded islands out on the water.
Ros Comáin
Roscommon
Famine history, a Cistercian abbey and the lake shore at Lough Key.
- Connacht
- 20 places
- 3 events in the next 30 days
- 11 more listings
The list
Top 10 things to do in Roscommon
Roscommon holds the National Famine Museum at Strokestown, and the walk from its gates to Dublin follows the road 1,490 tenants were put out on in 1847. Lough Key has a canopy walk above the forest and wooded islands offshore.
Lough Key Forest and Activity ParkLough Key's forest park runs along the shore near Boyle, with a canopy walk up in the trees and wooded islands out on the water.
Strokestown Park and the National Famine MuseumThe Georgian house and walled garden are at Strokestown, with the famine museum in the estate yards behind them.
Boyle AbbeyCistercians founded Boyle Abbey in 1161, and it stands roofless beside the Boyle River in the middle of the town.
Roscommon CastleCastle · RoscommonA large 13th century Norman castle ruin stands in a field on the edge of the town.- Rathcroghan Visitor CentreMuseum · TulskThe centre at Tulsk makes sense of the mounds and ringforts spread through the fields all around it.
Arigna Mining ExperienceMuseum · ArignaThe coal mine in the Arigna valley closed, and the underground tour is led by men who worked in it.
King HouseMuseum · BoyleAn early 18th century mansion in the middle of Boyle, run as a museum.
Clonalis HouseHouse and gardens · CastlereaThe Victorian house outside Castlerea is the O'Conor family home, open for guided tours from late June to the end of August.
Roscommon AbbeyAbbey · RoscommonA ruined Dominican priory south of the town holds the carved tomb of Felim O'Conor.
National Famine WayWalk · Strokestown165km of waymarked route from Strokestown to Dublin, on the road 1,490 tenants walked in 1847.
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Elphin WindmillMuseum · ElphinThe 18th century windmill on the edge of Elphin lost its sails in Storm Éowyn in January 2025 and is waiting on repairs.
The Miner's Way and Historical TrailWalk · BoyleThe loop goes through the Arigna and Curlew hills, on the paths the miners used to get to work.- Suck Valley WayWalk · CastlereaWaymarked loop along the River Suck on the Galway border.
Derryglad Folk Heritage MuseumMuseum · CurraghboyFarm and trade tools collected privately at Curraghboy, south of Roscommon town.- Derryvunny Old Woodland TrailForest · BoyleShort trail through old oak woodland on the shore of Lough Key.
- Kilronan Castle LoopWalk · BallyfarnonLooped walk through woodland above Lough Meelagh at Ballyfarnon.
- Glendeer Open Pet FarmWildlife park · AthloneOn a farm outside Athlone you walk among the deer and the farm animals.
- Claypipe Visitor CentreMuseum · KnockcrogheryClay pipes are still made by hand in the workshop at Knockcroghery.
BoyleTown · Co. RoscommonBoyle sits under the Curlew hills, with the abbey ruin standing at one end of the main street.
Roscommon townTown · Co. RoscommonThe county town, with the castle ruin at one end of it and the Dominican priory at the other.
Where they are
Tap a pin to open the place.
13 of the 20 places are on the map. The rest are listed above.
in Roscommon today
What’s on in Roscommon
Coming up, soonest first.
Friday 13th November
Saturday 28th November
Saturday 5th December
Towns
The one with enough in and around it for a page of its own.
More to see in Roscommon
11 more places from Fáilte Ireland’s own listings, linked to their own sites where they have one.
Abbeys and churches3
Gardens and parks2
Music in Roscommon
Trad sessions, venues and festivals.
Where to hear it
Sessions come and go: check with the pub before you travel.
Where to stay in Roscommon
9 places on Fáilte Ireland’s register of approved accommodation: the three and four star hotels and guest houses.
- Athlone Springs Hotel4-star hotel · Athlone
- Kilronan Castle Estate and Spa4-star hotel · Boyle
- Abbey Hotel, Conference and Leisure4-star hotel · Roscommon
- Keenan's of Tarmonbarry4-star hotel · Tarmonbarry
- Forest Park House4-star B&B · Boyle
- Rosdarrig4-star B&B · Boyle
- Ross House4-star B&B · Roscommon
- Hannons Hotel3-star hotel · Roscommon
- Percy French Hotel3-star hotel · Strokestown
Where to eat and drink in Roscommon
8 restaurants, pubs and cafés listed with Fáilte Ireland. A list of who registered, not a ranking, linked to their own sites where they have one.
- Les Petites TartresRestaurant · AthleagueFacebook page
- The Terrace Restaurant at the Abbey HotelRestaurant · Ballypheasan
- Benny's Deli, Restaurant and CaféCafé · Castlerea
- McGourty's BarPub · Castlerea
- The Old Stone House RestaurantRestaurant · Castlerea
- J.C.Doorly's - The Corner HousePub · CloonbracknaFacebook page
- Jackson's RestaurantRestaurant · CloonbracknaFacebook page
- The Silver EelPub · StrokestownFacebook page
Getting to Roscommon
- By air
- Ireland West (Knock) Airport
- By rail
- Stations at Roscommon and Castlerea, on the Dublin to Westport line, and Boyle, on the Dublin to Sligo line.
- By road
- The N5, N61, N60 and N4.
Questions
What are the best things to do in Roscommon?
Our top three are Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Strokestown Park and the National Famine Museum and Boyle Abbey. The full list of twenty is at the top of this page, and every place on it has a page of its own.
What can you do in Roscommon for free?
Walks and open ground cost nothing to visit. On our list that includes Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, National Famine Way, The Miner's Way and Historical Trail and Suck Valley Way. Some forest parks charge for the car park, so check parking and access with the place before you go.
What is on in Roscommon?
There are 3 events listed in Roscommon over the months ahead. See them all.
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