The Sliabh an Iarann Visitor Centre tells the story of the life and industry between the area's Sliabh an Iarann and Arigna Mountains. A number of important aspects are retold, including the Mining of Coal and Iron, the Sweathouses, and the Cavan & Leitrim Railway.

Coal & Mining Heritage: The Arigna area of Roscommon and the adjacent mountains of County Leitrim were famous for coal and iron mining. From as early as the 15th century iron was mined in the area before coal mining became more prominent in the 19th century. In July 1990, centuries of a mining tradition ended with the closure of the last of the coal mines, and the Centre has a display depicting miners at work and the story of the once great industry of the area.

Sweathouse: The Lough Allen area is the home of the sweat house. Sweathouses were used as a cure for aches and pains and somewhat similar to the modern sauna. Built of stone with a small opening or doorway, a big turf fire would be lit for hours inside. When it was sufficiently hot, the fire was removed quickly and the patient crawled into the sweathouse and sat on a bundle of rushes or straw. When he or she had sweated sufficiently they emerged and took a dip in a running stream. The Centre has a reconstruction of a sweathouse, while in the area you can also visit a real sweathouse.

The Cavan & Leitrim Railway: The Cavan and Leitrim Railway was one of the most memorable systems in Ireland. It ran on a narrow gauge line and linked the Leitrim towns of Drumshanbo, Mohill and Ballinamore. Despite many protests the railway closed in 1959, and although the railway has gone the Centre has a re-creation of a ticket and waiting room just as it was before the closure with photographs and memorabilia too.

Sliabh An Iarainn Visitor Centre
Drumshanbo