Roscommon (Ros Comáin, "Saint Coman's wood") is the county town of County Roscommon in northwest Ireland. It's in a lowland area west of Lough Ree and has a castle and other antiquities. In 2022 it had a population of 6500.
Visitor info is based in the County Museum, same hours.
Get in
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Map of Roscommon
By road from Dublin follow M4, which becomes M6. Just past Athlone, take exit 12 onto N61 north.
Trains from Dublin Heuston take almost 2 hours to Roscommon. In the morning or evening you take the train for Galway and change at Athlone. Middle of the day are three direct trains via Portarlington, Tullamore, Clara and Athlone. These continue from Roscommon to Castlerea, Ballyhaunis, Claremorris (for Knock), Manulla Junction (for Ballina), Castlebar and Westport.
1 Roscommon railway station is in town centre. See Irish Rail for timetables and tickets.
By bus from Dublin, change at Athlone. Bus Éireann 440 runs four times a day from Athlone, taking 30 min to Roscommon, and continues to Castlerea, Knock Airport, Castlebar and Westport. The bus stops in Roscommon are the hospital 500 m east of town centre, and Mart Road.
Bus 433 runs three times a day from Galway, taking 90 min. Bus Éireann 65 also runs once, and continues to Longford and Cavan.
Local Link Bus 570 runs three times a day from Boyle, taking 80 min via Elphin and Strokestown.
Get around
[edit]You can easily walk round town but you need wheels for outlying sights such as Rathcroghan.
Taxi operators are Tom Kilduff (+353 86 254 4662) and Cab Direct (+353 87 991 4873).
See
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In town
[edit]- Town centre stands on the former highway north to Tulsk and Boyle, now bypassed to the east by N63. The best of it is The Square where the street divides around Harrison Hall to reunite in front of the facade of the Old Gaol.
- The Old Gaol in The Square is now a modern shopping centre, and the facade is all that remains of the 18th century original. In the 1790s this had a female executioner, Elizabeth Sugrue or "Lady Betty". Her life and deeds are embellished by folklore, but Sir William Wilde (Oscar's father) collected the tale not long after her reign. She supposedly murdered a man not recognising him as her long-lost son, and was about to be hanged for this with 25 other offenders but the hangman was ill. She volunteered to replace him and her career was launched, as were the 25 other wretches. In 1822 the gaol became a lunatic asylum and in 1833 a Lazaretto, a quarantine confinement for those with dangerous diseases such as smallpox. Sometime after 1840 the building was converted to residential and commercial use.
- Roscommon County Museum, The Square, ☏ +353 90 662 5613. M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-2PM. The Museum and tourist information centre are in a former Presbyterian Church built in 1863, a limestone building with a Star of David in the window over the door. Exhibits include a 9th-century grave slab from St Comans Abbey, a dugout canoe, and a Sheela na Gig from Rahara church. Free.
- Harrison Hall in the centre of The Square was the 18th century court house. It's variously been a market hall, Roman Catholic church, dance hall, cinema and theatre and since 1972 a bank. In the 20th century it was named for Dr John Harrison, who tended to 1840s famine victims in the town workhouse. You can look at the interior during bank opening hours.
- Roscommon Castle, Castle Street. 24 hours. Substantial ruin of a castle built in 1269 by Robert de Ufford, Justiciar of Ireland, on lands seized from the Augustinian Priory. (No point them complaining, the "Justiciar" was both the chief governor and the chief judge, with no "separation of powers"). Although besieged and assaulted several times, it remained largely intact until 1652 when Cromwell set about demolishing all such troublesome strongholds. It was then blown up and the fortifications dismantled, then just for good measure the remains burned down in 1690. Free.
- Roscommon County Library at the corner of Abbey St was built as an infirmary in 1783. This closed in 1941 and in 1989 it was re-fitted as the library, which is open Tu & Th 1-8PM, W F Sa 10AM-1PM, 2-5PM.
- 1 Roscommon Friary, Circular Rd. 24 hours. Ruins of a Dominican Friary founded in 1253 on the site of a 12th century Augustinian priory destroyed by the Normans. Felim McHugh O'Connor, King of Connacht, was buried here in 1265; the effigy in the north chancel (in very Anglo-Norman regal get-up) is either him or a successor, while the fellows on the tomb front are 15th-century mercenaries. The friary was suppressed at the Reformation and the stone of its tower and cloister removed. Free.
- 2 Sacred Heart Church, Abbey St. Impressive Catholic church in neo-Gothic completed in 1903, with the tower added in 1916. It has a sunken grotto, painted ceiling and mosaic floor.
- The Courthouse on Abbey St is a fine 1832 building, still in use. Until 2016 it also housed the County Council but they're now in a modern building adjacent.
Further out
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- 3 Castlecoote House, Cooly F42 H288, ☏ +353 90 666 3794. Jun-Aug W-Su 2-6PM. Grand Georgian manor, next to the ruins of the 16th-century castle. Tours are only available Jun-Aug but the grounds are open Apr-Oct daily. They also host the Percy French Festival in July. They may have accommodation. Adult €12, conc €10, child €5.
- 4 Castlestrange Stone is a granite boulder with curving incised decorations of La Tène style, so it dates to 200 BC, though the cobble mounting and cattle grid are modern. This Celtic style appeared circa 500 BC in La Tène near Neuchâtel in Switzerland and spread across Europe, so it's become a marker for the extent of Celtic culture. Park at the bend in the public road and walk up the Desmesne driveway. There are three similar La Tène stones across Ireland, more or less in a line, what's that all about? - since they have no obvious astronomical alignment.
- 5 Castlerea Railway Museum, Main St, Castlerea, ☏ +353 87 230 8152. By arrangement. Large private collection of Irish rolling stock, equipment and fittings. Adult €10, child €5.
- 6 Rathcroghan, The Square, Tulsk, ☏ +353 71 963 9268. M-Sa 9:30AM-4:30PM, and May-Aug Su noon-4:30PM. Prehistoric complex accessed via the visitor centre in Tulsk village. There are some 240 sites in the complex, highlights include Rathcroghan Mound and Oweynagat Cave. Adult €7, conc €6, child €4.
- 7 National Famine Museum (Strokestown Park), Strokestown F42 H282, ☏ +353 71 963 3013. Daily Mar-Oct 10AM-5PM, Nov-Feb 10:30AM-4PM. Magnificent Palladian mansion, but built upon ruthless exploitation of the tenantry, who were evicted or starved in great numbers. It incorporates the National Famine Museum, self-guided, but the full ticket includes a guided tour of the house at noon and 2PM. Museum plus house adult €19, conc €15, child €10.50.
- 8 Rinn Dúin or Rindoon is an abandoned medieval village on a headland in Lough Ree. The village and St John's Castle were built in 1227, and destroyed in raids in the 13th and 14th centuries. There were attempts to rebuild in the 16th and 17th centuries. The windmill is from this period, but most of what you see is medieval. You're free to stroll the extensive site anytime.
Do
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- Omniplex Cinema is on the retail park east side of town, junction of N61 and N63.
- Roscommon Arts Centre stages various live events. It's on N61 east side of town.
- Roscommon Golf Club is 500 m south of town on Golf Links Road. Blue tees are 6069 m, par 72.
- Roscommon Leisure Centre is on St Coman's Park, 200 m west of The Square. It has a 25 m pool, gym and fitness classes. It's open M-F 06:30-22:00, Sa Su 10:00-17:00.
- 1 Roscommon Racecourse, Racecourse Road F42 V052, ☏ +353 90 662 6231, [email protected]. Flat and National Hunt (jumps) races are held May-Sept on an oblong right-handed track of 2 km (1 mile 2 furlongs). There are 9 meetings a year: the main flat race is the Lenebane Stakes in July, while the main jumps event is the Kilbenet Novice Chase in late Sept.
- Gaelic games are hurling and Gaelic football. Roscommon's county team play at Douglas Hyde Park (capacity 30,000) 400 m east of town along N61. The town club Roscommon Gaels play at Lisnamult, 500 m southwest of the centre past the railway station.
- 2 Mote Park is a pleasant forest area with walking and cycling trails. It's 5 km southeast of town on N61, take the second right after the railway level crossing.
- 3 Portrunny is an inlet of Lough Ree, with hiking trails, a boat jetty, playground and Saint Diarmuid's Holy Well.
- Suck Valley Way is a 105-km walking trail through the county. The section along the banks of the River Suck between Athleague and Castlecoote is the best of it.
Buy
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- Tesco in Market Yard is open M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 10AM-8PM.
- SuperValu off Main Street is open M-Sa 8AM-8PM, Su 9AM-8PM.
- Aldi and Lidl are by the roundabout on the Lanesborough Road.
- There are outdoor ATMs along The Square into Main Street.
Eat
[edit]- Forte on Castle St is open daily 3-11PM.
- Jackson's, The Square F42 H968, ☏ +353 90 666 5599. Daily 10AM-10PM. Restaurant with modern European and oriental menu, also has rooms.
- Gleeson's is on The Square, see Sleep.
- Zaiqa on The Square is open M-Sa 4-11PM, Su 3-10PM.
- The Pantry on The Square is open M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 10AM-4PM.
- Regan's, The Square F42 VY62, ☏ +353 90 662 5339. Daily 12:30-8:30PM. Gastropub and restaurant, reliable good quality.
- Rogue & Co on Main St is open M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 10AM-3PM.
- Lana is a chain Thai / Chinese on Main St open daily 1-10PM.
- Peppermill, Golf Links Rd, ☏ +353 90 663 4980. M-Sa 9AM-5PM. Smart clean place for Irish and European cuisine.
Drink
[edit]- In The Square are Regan's (above), JJ Harlows and The Brewery.
- Along Castle St going north are Doorly's Corner House, Murray's, The Jailhouse, Hollywood Bar, Coachman's Inn (below), Rockford's Nightclub and Nancy's Bar.
- South of The Square are Down The Hatch, Foxes, Clancy's and Railway Bar.
Sleep
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- 1 Coachman's Inn, Castle St F42 XY47, ☏ +353 87 206 3386. Good scores for comfort and service. B&B double €100.
- Tatlers Guesthouse is on Court View in town centre.
- Abbey Hotel, Galway Rd F42 F992 (opposite railway station), ☏ +353 90 662 6240. Convenient mid-range place, friendly service but some facilities tired. B&B double €130.
- Gleeson's, Market Square F42 WA22, ☏ +353 90 662 6954. 19th century townhouse hotel with good restaurant. B&B double €120.
- 2 Hannon's Hotel, Athlone Rd F42 PH33, ☏ +353 90 663 7644. Mid-range place with good reviews for comfort, service and food. B&B double €120.
- 3 Galey Bay, Knockcroghery F42 RP20 (8 km southeast of town), ☏ +353 90 666 1058. Peaceful campsite and caravan park by Lough Ree.
Connect
[edit]As of Nov 2025, Roscommon and its approach roads have 4G from Eir, and 5G from Three and Vodafone.
Go next
[edit]- Carrick-on-Shannon together with Leitrim is a major junction on the Shannon navigation system.
- Athlone has a fine castle and cathedral.
- Tuam and Athenry are small towns with ancient religious sites, ruined abbeys and castles. They're in east Galway, the lowland part which resembles Roscommon.
- Galway is a lively colourful city, while further west is the wild upland scenery of Connemara.