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County Roscommon
Province: Connacht
Location: an inland county towards the western quarter of the country.
County Size: 11th in Ireland
Land Area: 984 sq. miles
Highest Point: Slieve Bawn (264 m).
Main Rivers: Suck; Lung; Breedoge; Shannon.
Main Lakes: L Skean; L Cloonagh; L Errit; L Glinn; L Key; L Drumharlow; Clogher L; Cavetown L; L Annaghmore; L Forbes; L Ree; L Funshinagh.
Areas of Geographical Interest: Arigna Scenic Drive, Lough Key Forest Park and Botanical Gardens, Rock of Doon near Boyle.
Areas of Historical Interest: Rathcroghan and Camfree Ancient Celtic Sites, Bolyle Cistercian Abbey, Clonalis House in Castlerea, Dr. Douglas Hyde Interpretive Centre in Frenchpark, Roscommon Abbey and County Museum, the Old School House Museum in Ballintubber.
Roscommon
The town had its beginnings in the early Christian abbey of St Coman, which had close ties with ecclesiastical settlement of St Ciaran at Clonmacnois. The town grew up as a settlement around the Norman castle, north of the town, which was built in 1269.
According to legend, Roscommon town had the unique distinction of having a female executioner, Lady Betty, who had her sentence for murder suspended on the proviso that she became the hangman.
Roscommon is now a vibrant town with a growing indigenous industry base.
The County
Total Population: 51,975 (1996)
Growth rate: 1.1 % increase since 1991
County Capital: Roscommon
Largest Town: Boyle
Main Towns: Boyle, Castlerea, Elphin, Roscommon, Strokestown
Main Business Contact: Roscommon County Enterprise Board: Abbey Street, Roscommon, Strokestown
No of Schools: National 95; Secondary 11.
Other Tourist Attractions: Keadue Village, King House in Boyle.
Transport
Main Routes: is served by major routes N61-N6-N4 (to Dublin); N61-N5-N4-N55-N3-N54-N12-A3-M1 (to Belfast); N61-N6-N8-N25 (to Cork); N61-N6-N18 (to Galway).
Miles from: Dublin (91); Belfast (139); Cork (156); Galway (51).
Nearest Travel Centre (Bus): Ceannt Station, Eyre Square, Galway. Tel 091-562000
Nearest Rail Station: Roscommon. Tel 0903-26201.
Nearest Airport: Knock International Airport. Tel 094-67222
Nearest Ferry Port: Dublin (+91 miles).
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