Glenfarne


Glenfarne is a small village located in the north of County Leitrim, Ireland. It is the site of the original "Ballroom of Romance", which inspired a short story by William Trevor and was subsequently turned into a movie by the BBC. Glenfarne also has a lakeside forest near Lough MacNean, a lake bordering parts of Northern Ireland, including towns such as Belcoo in County Fermanagh.

History

The name of the village is an anglicisation of Gleann-fearna, meaning "valley of the alders". It was referred to by this name in the Annals of the Four Masters as far back as 1235 as a location in West Bréifne and under a further derivation, Clann-Fearmaighe as far back as 1217, where it is cited as "containing 20 quarters of land".

Historical remains

Glenfarne Demense

The Glenfarne Demesne lies on the shores of Lough MacNean. The lake marks the border between the counties of Leitrim, Cavan and Fermanagh. In 2000, a cross-border and cross-community arts project was concluded with the aim to promote the bonds between the communities of these three counties through the medium of sculpture and the visual arts. A number of sculptures are still in the Demesne.

Walking tours

Glenfarne is a starting point for a long walk on the Leitrim Way which takes the walker south towards Dowra. The Leitrim Way leads over the hills and through an 'Area of Special Conservation' related to the bird life of the area.

Transport

Rail transport

Glenfarne railway station was the Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway line from Eniskillen to Sligo opened on 1 January 1880 and finally closed on 1 October 1957. The nearest operational station is Sligo railway station.

Coach/bus transport

Glenfarne is a stop on the Bus Éireann Sligo-Manorhamilton-Enniskillen Expressway route 66. It is also served by local route 470 on Saturdays only. Bus Éireann services from Manorhamilton stop at Sligo bus station which is beside Sligo railway station.