Overview
The River Shannon doesn’t just run past Lanesborough – it runs through the middle of it. In doing so it divides two provinces (Leinster and Connacht) and two counties (Longford and Roscommon). Lanesborough stands on the Longford bank at the northern tip of Lough Ree, and shares the crossing with its neighbour Ballyleague in County Roscommon on the far bank. Cross the bridge for another view of the river and marina.
It’s a working crossing town rather than a resort, and honest about it, but for anglers, boaters and anyone touring the midland waterways it’s a useful base.
History and the bridges
The Irish name is Béal Átha Liag, ‘mouth of the ford of stones’, from the flagstones once laid across the river to help people cross. Because whoever held the crossing held the road, Lanesborough has gone through more bridges than most towns:
- c. 1000 AD – the High King Malachy of Meath and the King of Connacht jointly built the first bridge, against Viking raids.
- 1140 – a more permanent stone bridge, built by High King Turlough O’Connor.
- 1667 – a replacement after centuries of wear.
- 1690 – Colonel O’Reilly destroyed the bridge to slow the advancing Williamite army.
- 1706 – Parliament funded a grand nine-arch stone bridge, 300 feet long and 15 feet wide. It was prompted by tragedy: in 1701 a ferry carrying 46 people capsized and 35 drowned.
- 1844 – replaced by a bridge with a swivel arch, to let bigger river traffic through.
- 1971 – the current concrete span, still the main crossing.
Walks and the water
The riverside is an easy place to get your bearings, with views of the 1971 bridge and the open water of Lough Ree. For a longer walk, check Longford County Council’s trail guide for the Commons Woodland Trail and other local options.
Waterways Ireland lists Lanesborough as a Shannon Blueway access point. Check conditions and the operator’s advice before going out on the river or lake. Lough Ree opens out south of the town and runs almost 30 km down to Athlone; upstream, the Shannon meanders about 40 km north to Carrick-on-Shannon.
Angling
Lanesborough is known for coarse and predator fishing, with bream, tench, rudd and pike in this reach of the Shannon. Inland Fisheries Ireland explains the local angling stretch and biosecurity rules, including restrictions on keep nets. Read them before you fish.
Lough Ree Distillery
Lough Ree Distillery was started in 2018 by three siblings in an old butcher’s shop on Main Street. Its Sling Shot Gin is the signature, distinctive for using peat as a botanical, which gives it an earthy note you don’t often meet in a gin.
The distillery offers a tour of its microdistillery with a tasting. It runs bookable experiences rather than a casual drop-in, so confirm session times and availability before visiting.
Local life
The town keeps two GAA clubs, one on each bank – Rathcline on the Longford side and St Faithleachs on the Roscommon side. Lanesborough is also twinned with Lanesborough, Massachusetts.
Practical information
Getting there
Lanesborough sits on the N63, meeting the R371 (Ballyleague) and R392. Rough distances: Longford town 16 km north-east, Roscommon town 15 km south-west, Ballymahon 20 km south-east, Strokestown 15 km north-west.
For the town, use signed public parking. Follow marina and towpath signs if you are continuing on foot. Check current bus times with Bus Éireann before you travel.
Nearby attractions
- Granard – medieval motte and the Knights & Conquests Heritage Centre
- Abbeylara – Cistercian abbey ruins in quiet countryside
- Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre – an Iron Age bog road, reconstructed and interpreted
- Ballyleague – the Roscommon side of the crossing, with riverside walks