Day 16 Cycling the 32 counties of Ireland - ROSCOMMON
🚴🏾♂️ The Black Paddy Rolls into Roscommon: Thrones, Tombs & Tranquil Craic
What’s the story, Roscommon?!
It’s your boy Fabu D, aka The Black Paddy, pedaling into the land of lakes and legends with Guinness Zero in my bottle cage and a playlist full of trad tunes. I’m cycling across Ireland to raise awareness for Jigsaw, the charity helping young people mind their mental health—and Roscommon? You’ve got ancient roots, royal ruins, and a rhythm that’s slow, steady, and soulful.
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🧠 A Word on Jigsaw
Before we dive into the madness, let’s take a moment. Jigsaw is doing powerful work—giving young people across Ireland a safe space to talk, to be heard, and to get the support they need. Mental health isn’t just a buzzword. It’s real, it’s raw, and it affects all of us.
This cycle isn’t just about the scenery—it’s about showing up for those who feel unseen. If you’re struggling, know this: you’re not alone. There’s help, there’s hope, and there’s healing.
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🏞️ First Impressions: Roscommon’s Regal Swagger
I rolled into Roscommon with the breeze in my helmet and the ruins of Roscommon Castle rising like a medieval mixtape. Built in the 13th century, this fortress has seen sieges, scandals, and probably a few confused tourists. I stood in the courtyard imagining knights, rebels, and maybe a lad trying to sell turnips.
Then I hit Rathcroghan, the ancient royal site of Connacht. This place is pure myth—home to Queen Medb, warrior queen and certified legend. I didn’t see her ghost, but I did feel like I was being watched by history itself.
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😂 Funny Roscommon Facts (Because You Know I Love the Banter)
- Roscommon is home to Ireland’s oldest known road, the Corlea Trackway, built in 148 BC. That’s older than some of my jokes.
- The county has more sheep than people. I waved at a few. They didn’t wave back.
- Strokestown Park House has a famine museum that’s both powerful and humbling. I walked through it and left with a deeper respect for resilience.
- The town of Boyle is home to King House, a Georgian mansion that once housed the Connaught Rangers. I didn’t enlist, but I did admire the chandeliers.
- Roscommon is the only county in Ireland with no coastline and no border with Northern Ireland. It’s the Switzerland of the Midlands.
- The name Roscommon comes from Ros Comáin, meaning “Saint Coman’s wood.” I didn’t meet the saint, but I did meet a squirrel with serious attitude.
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🎶 Music, Monuments & Market Vibes
Roscommon’s got rhythm in its roots. I stopped in Castlerea, where the streets hum with stories and the cafés serve tea strong enough to wake the ancestors. I joined a trad session in a pub and tried to keep up on the bodhrán. I was offbeat, but the locals clapped anyway. Legends.
Then I wandered through Boyle Abbey, a 12th-century monastery with arches so elegant they deserve their own Instagram account.
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🗣️ Chatting with Roscommon Legends
You know me—I can’t resist a good chat. I met a man named Mick who swears he once saw a banshee near Lough Key. I asked what she looked like. He said, “Like my ex, but louder.”
I met a woman who runs a wool shop and makes scarves inspired by bog patterns. I bought one. It’s now my official cycling neckwear.
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🚴🏾♂️ Cycling Through Roscommon’s Heart
The roads here are quiet, winding, and full of charm. I passed through Elphin, Ballaghaderreen, and Tarmonbarry, where every bend brought a new view and a new reason to pause. Roscommon’s got layers, and I was loving every one.
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🧘🏾♂️ Mental Health Moments: Roscommon’s Gentle Power
Roscommon doesn’t shout—it whispers. I sat by Lough Ree, sipping my Guinness Zero, watching the water ripple like it was telling secrets. That’s the kind of peace Jigsaw wants every young person to find.
If you’re struggling, know this: you’re not broken. You’re human. And there’s help.
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🛏️ Roscommon Hospitality: Gleesons Hotel Vibes
I stayed at the charming Gleesons Hotel right in the heart of Roscommon Town. The kind of place where the tea’s strong, the welcome’s stronger, and the staff treat you like a long-lost cousin. I asked how to get to Rathcroghan and got a full itinerary, a weather forecast, and a story about their cousin who once met Mary McAleese in a chipper.
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💚 Final Thoughts & Shout-Outs
Roscommon, you’ve been regal. From royal tombs to rebel tales, you’ve given me laughs, lessons, and a deeper appreciation for Ireland’s quiet soul.
To everyone who waved, cheered, or shouted “Go on ya legend!”—thank you. To the sheep who blocked my path and refused to move—respect. To the county itself—keep reigning.
And to Jigsaw, the reason behind every mile: thank you for being the light in someone’s dark. You’re changing lives, one conversation at a time.
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💚 Thanks for coming along on the ride!
If you’d like to support the cause, here’s the link:
👉 https://www.idonate.ie/blackpaddytour
Until next time,
Stay strong, stay smiling, and mind your mental health.
— Fabu D, The Black Paddy
