County Roscommon cottages

Roscommon, Irish Ros Comáin, county in the province of Connaught, north-central Ireland. It is bounded by Counties Sligo to the north, Letrim in the northeast, Longford and Westmeatrh in the east, Offaly to the southeast, Galway in the southwest and Mayo to its west. Roscommon is a wonderful destination for a quiet, rural escape and perfect for those travelling with pets – so be sure to check out our dog-friendly cottages. 

Most of the Roscommon lies between the River Shannon and its major tributary, the River Suck. Athlone on the Shannon is the main point of entry to the county; north of it lies Lough (Lake) Ree and, farther upstream, Loughs Bofin and Boderg. Along most of its course are extensive water meadows known as callows. Between the Shannon and the Suck the landscape is a mixture of limestone surfaces 200–400 feet (60–120 metres) high and depressions varying from peat bogs to water meadows. There are also some eskers (long ridges of postglacial gravel) that are quarried extensively. Within this area sheep and cattle are raised, particularly on the limestone pastures, and oats, hay, and potatoes are the main crops. About three-fourths of the area is farmland, the rest peat bog. To the east of Boyle the rich limestone grasslands, known as the Plains of Boyle, are famed as cattle pastures. Farms are small, with a concentration on cattle. To the northeast of Roscommon town, the Slieve Bawn ridge rises to 846 feet (258 metres). 

In antiquity, northwestern County Roscommon was MacDermott country, and part of the south was under O’Kelly occupation. By the Composition of Connaught (1585) a large number of lords and chieftains of the province were given tenure in their territories under English law. Because Connaught and Clare were left by Oliver Cromwell to Irish proprietors after the English conquest in the 17th century, this part of Ireland retained its Irish social pattern longer than any other, though it was affected by the penal laws, the land acts, and other social changes that were imposed upon Ireland generally. Area 983 square miles (2,548 square km).  

Roscommon is a county of fertile farmland, undulating hillsides, quiet country lanes and silver lakes. The area has strong musical connections - it was the birthplace of Percy French, and O'Carolan often played there. The town of Boyle is home to one of Ireland's principal lakeside attractions, Lough Key Forest Park, which offers nature walks, ring forts, cruising, fishing, a bog-garden, an old ice-house, picnic grounds and a fully-serviced caravan and camping site. Herds of deer wander freely through the park. 

Other attractions in County Roscommon include Drumanone Dolmen and Boyle Abbey. It's also worth exploring the ruins of Roscommon Castle.