Perfect Picnic Guide from The Leitrim Design House

A guide for boat trips, Carrick on Shannon adventures, and planning for your summer holidays. Soak up some summer sunshine, have a picnic, and enjoy life's simple pleasures!

1. Pick up an Irish Picnic Blanket, made in Tipperary by John Hanly Woollen Mills.  This rugged and hard wearing, reflects the rich and varied colours of the Irish countryside and is the perfect partner for days out, beach trips and of course, with the theme of our guide, picnics. 

2. A bread board is needed! Roy Humphreys bread board is perfect to lay out a charcuterie platter, made from sustainable locally grown ash and finished with food safe oil this is a piece that will stand the test of time and gives you the opportunity to take a little piece of Leitrim on every picnic you have.

3. Cups! There's nothing better than a cup of tea on a hot day, my grandmother swore by it, that it actually cools you down, now I don't know if that's true but a cup of tea by the Shannon in a Lichen Ceramics mug handmade right here in Co. Leitrim is the best way to enjoy it!  Coming in a variety of colours inspired by the Leitrim landscape and in a variety of sizes you are sure to find your perfect cup or mug.

4. And what to carry all these beautiful handcrafted items in I hear you say, well look no further than 'Of Wood and Willow', Lukasz Jurgowiak is a basket-maker based in south Sligo, who makes baskets using willow growen wild along the hedgerows, continuing the rich tradition of basket-weaving in the Irish countryside. 

Pick up some tasty treats from local cafés "Cake Me Away" and "Coffeys Pastry Case", spread out your picnic blanket and enjoy!   There are a myriad of islands dotted along the Shannon for a wild picnic and many lovely villages and towns to stop and visit such as Drumsna, Leitrim Village, Fenagh and Drumshanbo. 

Here in Carrick on Shannon, winner of Irelands best kept small town award 2023, there are picnic benches by The Boardwalk on the River Shannon, enjoy your picnic and walk back into town taking in some tourist attractions on the way:

Costello Chapel, reputed to be the second smallest chapel in the world, erected by Edward Costello to mark his devotion to his wife, Mary. 

The Town Clock erected to commemorate the first chairman of Leitrim County Council.

St Georges Heritage and Visitor Centre and the Famine Workhouse & Graveyard.  An evocative reminder of the famine era workhouses, the Workhouse Attic Memorial is part of the St George’s Heritage and Visitor Centre and can be reached by following the brass plaque trail.

and of course The Dock, the historic courthouse turned Art Gallery and Theatre with a lovely coffee shop "The Jury Room" it's also where you will find us, The Leitrim Design House!

Pop in and say hello and let us know how you enjoyed your picnic.

Curating a forever timeless style and sustainable lifestyle here at The Leitrim Design House.

We hope to make your shopping stress free by offering a hand-picked selection of gifts made locally in Leitrim and throughout the island of Ireland while supporting local artists and crafts people. There’s always the option of a Leitrim Design House gift card for any amount that suits your budget. Check out our curated selection of 100% Irish gifts on our online shop www.leitrimdesignhouse.ie

Get in touch on 071 9650550, if you need advice or inspiration to help you choose that perfect gift, we’ll be happy to assist you. We’ll even deliver from our door to theirs for free on orders over €50 across Ireland.

For further information follow us on social media, Facebook, Instagram,TikTok and Twitter.