Town of Lanesborough
Situated on the river Shannon at the Northern entrance to Lough Ree, Lanesboro is in a crucial position. In the days gone Lanesborough was known by the Irish name Beal Atha Liag. Beal Atha Liag meant “Mouth of the Ford” in English terms. This town is named after the family Lane that owned large tracts of land in the vicinity. The river divides Lanesborough from Ballyleague which is located in Co. Roscommon. The first bridge across the river was made from wattles a type of acacia found in found in Australia. A stone bridge was built in 1706 using the stones taken from Geoffrey Meares Norman Castle which stood where the car park is situated at present. The existing bridge was built in 1847 and was updated in 1970. Lanesborough has blossomed into a thriving little town today with many facilities for visitors and the locals. This place has long been recognised as one of the most reputed angling centres in the country. The Cloontuskert Abbey founded by Saints Brendan and Faithleach about AD520 is located here.
