🌐 If The Past Could Talk

The Last Bard's Country: Ballyfarnon & Kilronan

📍 Roscommon🚶 7 stops🚶️ 8.48km⌛ ~135 min

A walk through the alder ford of Ballyfarnon and out to Lough Meelagh, tracing the life of harper-composer Turlough O'Carolan from the MacDermot Roe estate at Alderford where he was raised to the ruined gable at Kilronan where he was buried in 1738. An optional extension follows the same parish north to Arigna, where four centuries of coal mining ended in 1990. Looking for things to do in Ballyfarnon? Start here — no car, no ticket, no booking.

Medieval & CastlesEcclesiasticalIndustrial & TransportFolklore & Holy Wells
🌐 Walk This Trail

Opens the free interactive app — point your phone at each stop and hear it speak, in 12 languages.

Stops on This Trail

  1. Ballyfarnon Village Core
  2. Alderford — Seat of the MacDermot Roe
  3. St Lasair's Holy Well
  4. Lough Meelagh Shore
  5. Kilronan Castle (Castle Tenison)
  6. Kilronan Churchyard — O'Carolan's Grave
  7. Arigna Mining Experience

For Schools

This trail is also available as a free printable classroom worksheet or full trail booklet — no site visit required. See how Classroom Prep Mode works →