📷 Photo by Laura Coyle on UnsplashGlencar Waterfall
Glencar, Ireland
A waterfall in a wooded glen beside Glencar Lough, celebrated in a poem by W. B. Yeats. It is a short walk from the car park and best after rain.
Glencar Waterfall is a roughly 15 m high waterfall in County Leitrim in north-west Ireland, at Glencar Lough and about 11 km west of Manorhamilton. A visit is free of charge.
A signposted footpath near the eastern end of the north shore leads to the waterfall, which drops into a deep pool; it is especially impressive after rain. W. B. Yeats drew inspiration from the waterfall and mentions it in his poem The Stolen Child. Other waterfalls can be seen from the road, but none is considered as romantic as this one.
For road-trippers: the lake lies about 8 km east of Drumcliff and is easy to reach by car from Sligo along minor roads. At the waterfall there is a car park, a picnic area, public toilets, a playground, a tea house and a tourist information point. Check the facilities and opening times in advance.
- Nearest town
- Glencar, Ireland
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 54.3395, -8.3770
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Ireland: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Drive on the left. Barrier-free toll on the M50 around Dublin. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Rosses Point Caravan & Camping ParkCampsite13 km from Glencar WaterfallTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking water
- Strandhill Caravan & Camping ParkCampsite17 km from Glencar Waterfall
- Melvin CentreCampsite20 km from Glencar Waterfall
- Lakeside Caravan & CampingCampsite22 km from Glencar WaterfallTentsCaravansDrinking waterShowersWi-Fi
- Common ShoreMotorhome stopover25 km from Glencar Waterfall · 2 pitchesMotorhomes
All campsites in Ireland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Glencar Waterfall?
Glencar Waterfall is in Glencar, Ireland, at GPS 54.3395, -8.3770. It is about 6 km from Benbulben.
Can you camp near Glencar Waterfall?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Rosses Point Caravan & Camping Park, about 13 km away; within 25 km there are 5 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Glencar Waterfall?
Glencar Waterfall is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Sligo: Yeats Country and ancient tombs.
What is there to see near Glencar Waterfall?
Places worth a stop nearby: Drumcliff churchyard (8 km), Carrowmore (14 km), Knocknarea (16 km) and Slieve League cliffs (38 km).
When is the best time to visit Glencar Waterfall?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)