Leitrim
County Leitrim is located in the province of Connacht in the Republic of Ireland. In ancient times Leitrim formed the western half of the Kingdom of Breifne. The O’Rourke clan had a long influence on the county and their heraldic lion still occupies the official county crest to this day. In the 13th century the Normans invaded Leitrim. Much of Leitrim was confiscated from its owners and given to Villiers and Hamilton who unsuccessfully tried to colonise the county with English settlers.
Leitrim has the fastest growing population of any county in Connacht (the population is currently approximately 30,000 people). Places of interest include Carrick-on-Shannon and Lough Key Forest and Activity Park. Famous people from Leitrim include the harpist Turlough O’Carolan (born 1670) and the ‘Father of Irish Bee Keeping’ – Rev. J.G. Digges (born 1858).
Counties
Antrim
Armagh
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Donegal
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Leitrim
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