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One of Ireland's
undiscovered counties is that of Roscommon, in
the heart of Connaught in the west of Ireland.
Covering an area of 984 square miles and with a
population of just over 51,800, Roscommon offers
peace and tranquillity in an idyllic landscape of
lakes, rivers and wooded countryside. The name
Roscommon stems from the Irish word 'Ros' meaning
a gentle terrain with plenty of trees and
'Conman', the name of the county's famous Irish
saint and the first bishop of the See. Bound
by the extensive waterways of the River Shannon
and Lough Ree to the east, the River Suck in the
west and Lough Key in the north, County Roscommon
is a haven for lovers of boats, watersports and
of course, angling. Cruising on the water in
Roscommon is one of the most enjoyable ways to
discover this unspoiled pocket of Ireland.
Visitors can also discover a rich heritage of
early colonization in Roscommon with many burial
grounds, megalithic tombs and ring forts. The
royal burial site at Rathcroghan was also home to
the kings of Connaught and later become home to
the high kings of Ireland. Extensive boglands are
found in the west of the county providing turf
for winter fuel.
County Roscommon
boasts of magnificent preserved forested land
with abundant wildlife open to the public. Lough
Key Forest Park near Boyle is 350 hectares of
mixed woodland, lakes, islands, medieval priories
and a castle. It is one of the most picturesque
locations in Ireland.
| Principle
towns of County Roscommon |
Historical
Roscommon is the county capital. Other towns and
significant settlements are Boyle, Castlerea,
Elphin, Strokestown, Tulsk and Hodson Bay.
Please see the town guides for further
information.
Traditionally
the chief industry in County Roscommon
has been farming or agricultural related
activities. Today farming accounts for
30% of employment in the county. Food
manufacturing, bacon production, cannery,
dairy food, poultry and other meat
products are well represented.
Agricultural engineering plants have
expanded their output to include
commercial and industrial products
including those for waste management and
building. Tourism is a relatively
fledging industry for County Roscommon
with great potential for further
development.
The Roscommon County Enterprise Board and
WESTBIC are both very active with the
development of new businesses in the
county and the ongoing expansion of
existing enterprises. Good opportunities
exist in County Roscommon for tourist
related activities and niche businesses
in the services sector and manufacturing. |
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| Helpful
contact details for business enquiries |
| Roscommon
Chamber of Commerce |
|
tel: (353) (0)903 27487 |
| Roscommon
County Enterprise Board |
tel:
(353) (0)903 26263 |
| Enterprise
Ireland |
tel:
(353) (0)91 735900 |
| WESTBIC
(Business & Innovation Centre for the
west of Ireland) |
tel:
(353) (0)903 25196 |
| Arigna
Leader Company (north County Roscommon) |
tel:
(353) (0)78 46186 |
| Mid
South County Roscommon Leader Company |
tel:
(353) (0)902 88292 |
| Roscommon
County Council |
tel:
(353) (0)903 37100 |
| The
Irish Trade Board |
tel:
(353) (0)91 756600 |
| The
Industrial Development Agency (IDA) |
tel:
(353) (0)91 751111 |
| FAS -
the National training and Employment
Authority |
tel:
(353) (0)903 26820 |
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| Other
sources of finance applicable to buiness
start up, development and acquisition,
and related services: |
| Credit
Unions |
|
tel:
(353) (0)1 4908911 |
| National
Irish Bank |
tel:
(353) (0)1 6785066 |
| Ulster
Bank (Small Business Unit) |
tel:
(353) (0)1 6777623 |
| Bank of
Ireland Enterprise Support Unit |
contact
any branch |
| Smurfit
Job Creation Enterprise Fund |
tel:
(353) (0)1 4784091 |
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| The Dept. Of
Enterprise, Trade and Employment:
TEL (353) (0)1 661 4444; www.irlgov.ie/entemp has extensive
and very helpful advice on all aspects of
business employment in Ireland, including
a business start up information pack
which is superbly put together and
includes everything from planning,
funding, locating, employing people and
business development. |
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| Travel
(also see town guides) |
| Being
located in the centre of Ireland, County
Roscommon is easily accessible and is en
route to Counties Galway and Mayo to the
west. Galway city is only 75 km away. The
nearest airports are Knock in County
Mayo, Galway Airport and Sligo Airport.
County Roscommon is well served by Irish
Rail. The Dublin to Sligo link passes
through Boyle on the north of the county
while the Dublin to Westport-Ballina line
serves Roscommon town and Castlerea. Bus
Eireann also run an efficient service
across the county. Dublin and Dun
Laoghaire are the nearest seaports if
traveling from the continent. |
| Tourism, Leisure and Accommodation |
| Please see town guides |
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