Leitrim...It's finally happening

I have long held the theory that Ireland's least populated county does, in fact, not exist.

Let's be honest, it sounds like a made-up county by the republican movement to round up the numbers because "32 counties" rolls off the tongue better than "31 counties".

They try to make it sound sexy (to geography buffs at least) by claiming it has Ireland's shortest coast-line.

In 2002, I raised my theory that Leitrim does not exist over a pint in a bar in County Cork.

My points:

Have you ever seen a Leitrim registered car?

Do you know anyone from Leitrim?

Is there anyone famous from Leitrim?

Have you ever heard Leitim being mentioned in the news?

Did you answer NO to those four questions? I did.

I probably go on about it a bit too much. So much so, my brothers bought me this jersey for Christmas last year.



Yes, it's the Leitrim GAA jersey.

In 2003, word filtered to "powers that be" that the very fabric of Leitrim was being questioned, so they put around a story that Leitrim was getting its first ever set of traffic lights, to be located in Carrick-on-Shannon. Has anyone ever actually seen these supposed red, amber and green lights in Ireland's smallest county?

I went to Wikipedia to see what famous sons and daughters Leitrim supposedly produced.

It listed both Sean Boylan and Colm O'Rourke. They both played for the Meath football team. So there is something suspicious going on there.

Pascal Mooney also got a mention. He is a Senator and Country music DJ. Obviously being paid by Bertie to pretend he is from Leitrim.

Some bloke called John Joe McGirl apparently also comes from Leitrim. He is obviously 'famous' for having a silly name.

Anyways, I've ranted on about the "leitrim theory" over the years and, at long last, I am making an exploratory trip this coming weekend to see does it actually exist or is it Ireland answer to the Bermuda Triangle.

There were three accommodation options.

The Commercial And Tourist Hotel in Carrick-On-Shannon, which lets be honest, sounds like something that belongs in Soviet-times.


The Shannon Key West Hotel which is in a place called Rooskey. Also sounds a bit Soviet for my liking.


So in the end I've opted to stay at The Abbey Manor Hotel which doesn't sound Commie at all. It also has the added bonus of being close to Sligo, so I can flake off over the border if needs be.

So does Leitrim exists...I will have the photo evidence next week...if they let me out alive...