Guide to County Roscommon in Ireland

County Roscommon

County Roscommon is located in the centre west of Ireland within the province of Connacht. Uniquely, it is the only Connacht county which does not have a coastline. Roscommon can boast that its residents can statistically look forward to the longest life expectancy of any county in Ireland. Lough Key in north Roscommon is noted for having 32 separate islands, matching the traditional number of counties in Ireland upon which our Area Guide is based.

Roscommon is Ireland's third least densely populated county with less than 60,000 residents. Naturally, Roscommon town is the county town, and elsewhere only Boyle could be described as a sizeable town within the county boundaries. Roscommon can lay claim to part of the neighbouring large town of Athlone (often referred to as Ireland's most central town) but overall Athlone is designated as a County Westmeath town due to more of the town centre falling within Westmeath's border. Strokestown can boast of having one of the widest and most stylish streets in Ireland, leading to Strokestown Park House, a sprawling and impressive 18th century mansion.

Other distinguished towns in Roscommon include Ballaghaderreen, Ballinlough, Ballyfarnan, Castlerea, Elphin, Frenchpark, Keadew, Lanesborough (Ballyleague), Loughglinn and Roosky.