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Lakes, rivers and greenways
Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands
Slow the pace among broad lakes, peaceful waterways, forest parks and welcoming towns in Ireland’s green centre.
Explore the regionThe River ShannonIreland’s great waterwayQuiet lakelandsSpace to slow downCentral IrelandConnected and easy to explore
Explore differently
Let the waterways set the pace.
Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands is made for lingering. Cruise or walk beside the Shannon, cycle a greenway, explore an island or forest park and finish the day in a lively riverside town.
Region map
Ireland’s green centre.
The highlighted area follows the Shannon and the central lakelands through the counties that make up Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
Counties covered by Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands
Build your route
Explore county by county.
Use the county guides to connect major landmarks with the places between them.
01Leitrim
Waterfalls, canals and Ireland’s shortest coastline.
Open county guide →02CavanLakes, drumlins and the source of the Shannon.
Open county guide →03LongfordRoyal Canal routes and the shores of Lough Ree.
Open county guide →04WestmeathAthlone, greenways and central lakelands.
Open county guide →05RoscommonLough Key, historic estates and Shannon countryside.
Open county guide →06OffalyClonmacnoise, Lough Boora and Shannon villages.
Open county guide →07GalwayPortumna, the Shannon and the eastern lakelands.
Open county guide →08TipperaryLough Derg, riverside towns and northern hills.
Open county guide →Suggested journeys
Choose a route that suits your time.
3 daysShannon towns and monastic heritage
Athlone, Clonmacnoise and Lough Ree
View suggested route
- Athlone
- Clonmacnoise
- Lough Ree
Use this as a flexible driving outline and check opening times, road conditions and bookings before travel.
7 daysLakes and greenways
Carrick-on-Shannon, Lough Key, Longford and Westmeath
View suggested route
- Carrick-on-Shannon
- Lough Key
- Longford
- Westmeath
Use this as a flexible driving outline and check opening times, road conditions and bookings before travel.
10 daysA slow central loop
Cavan, Leitrim, Roscommon, Offaly and Lough Derg
View suggested route
- Cavan
- Leitrim
- Roscommon
- Offaly
- Lough Derg
Use this as a flexible driving outline and check opening times, road conditions and bookings before travel.
Build your own Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands itinerary
Set your trip length, add your preferred stops and download your personal route.
Ways to explore
Make the region your own.
Greenways
Traffic-free trails beside canals, bogs and former railways.
Nature and wildlife
Forest parks, wetlands and quiet places to watch the landscape.
Easy family days
Heritage attractions and outdoor spaces without long transfers.
At the heart of the region
The Shannon connects it all
Ireland’s longest river links islands, historic towns, early monasteries and broad lakelands into a journey that feels both relaxed and richly varied.
Practical planning
Travel slowly and stay beside the water.
Choose two or three bases, allow time for boat trips and greenways, and treat driving as the connection rather than the main event.
Plan a memorable stop
Add an experience to your route.
Build a relaxed Midlands day around a forest-park visit, a team challenge or a heritage stop. The two Lough Key options share one location; Kilbeggan is a separate outing, not a single-day route requirement.
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Estate heritage
County Roscommon
Lough Key: Rockingham Remembered
Explore the estate's story on a self-guided visit. Check the tower, tunnels and access arrangements before choosing your ticket.
Start / arrival pointLough Key Forest Park, near Boyle
Team challenge
County Roscommon
Boda Borg at Lough Key
Tackle puzzles and physical challenges together. Check the team-size and age requirements; this is an active group experience.
Start / arrival pointLough Key Forest Park, near Boyle
Industrial heritage
County Westmeath
Kilbeggan Distillery guided tour
Add a whiskey-making heritage stop to a Midlands journey. Check the tasting arrangements and nominate a driver if travelling by car.
Start / arrival pointKilbeggan Distillery, County Westmeath
Booking links open on GetYourGuide in a new tab. Prices, dates, inclusions, accessibility and cancellation terms depend on the selected option. Check the operator's current details; a listing here does not guarantee availability.