Area · Co. Leitrim
Lough Rynn is a quiet lake in south County Leitrim, defined by a castle and 350 acres of walkable parkland. The estate offers a 1.1-mile circuit with historical sites, while the castle operates as a hotel, allowing public access to the grounds without an appointment.
Lough Rynn sits in south County Leitrim, just north of Carrick-on-Shannon. It is a freshwater lake, but the name usually conjures the structure on its shore: Lough Rynn Castle. That country house anchors 350 acres of parkland, gardens, and woods. You can walk the estate grounds freely. They hold a 400-year-old oak, a Bronze Age tomb, and the remains of a mediaeval castle. An arboretum and terraced gardens fill the space, with the Rynn river running through. That same water connects Lough Rynn to Lough Erril.
The walk covers about 1.1 miles (1.8 km). You pass sawmills, a farmyard, and a greenhouse. French stable yards and nature trails mark the route, leading back to the oak, the tomb, and the mediaeval ruin.
The circuit is gentle. It suits a family, yet it is long enough to justify the drive. The castle now runs as a hotel, so the park is open without an appointment. Afternoon tea is on offer in season. The lake itself is small and sheltered. It offers an hour of quiet on the shore. The area sits in the low green country north of the Shannon, where river tributaries widen into a string of small lakes.
Reward a slow visit. Take the walk through the parkland. Grab a coffee in the village. Stand by the water. Combine it with the wider west Leitrim circuit. Keshcarrigan Lough, Lough Allen, and the Leitrim Way all lie within the hour.
Where to stay
The lakes and the ways around them are best taken from a base with a long breakfast.
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Keshcarrigan Lough sits under Sheebeg hill in south Leitrim, connecting to Lough Scur. The nearby village hosts the Shannon–Erne Waterway, offers bank fishing, and is known for its unconventional St Patrick’s Day parades.
Lough Allen, the topmost of three Shannon lakes in north Leitrim, offers 17.7 km of sheltered water for boating, fishing, and walking. Its shores feature Arigna Forest Park and historic mining areas, while three islands provide mooring points for visitors exploring the area.
A 56 km waymarked trail from Manorhamilton to Leitrim village. The path covers the Five Glens, a remote mountain lake, and ends at a Shannon marina.