Council Leitrim update — 2026-06-01

Leitrim County Council has issued a water‑safety advisory ahead of the June Bank Holiday weekend, urging residents and visitors to be mindful of the cold temperatures in sea and inland waters around the county. The Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland and the RNLI have jointly warned that, despite warmer air, water temperatures remain low enough to pose serious risks to swimmers and those taking part in water‑based activities. The advisory stresses the importance of recognising how the body reacts to cold water and remaining alert to rip currents and hidden hazards.

At the same time, the council has announced temporary road closures in Ballinamore to accommodate the Cowboys & Heroes music festival, which will run from Friday 29 May to Monday 1 June. Roads L5501 (Derrygoan) from the Corgar junction with the R199 to the crossroads with the R204, and the access road from the R204 crossroads in front of Drumcoura City to the junction with the R199 at Corgar, will be closed from 12 pm on Friday to 9 pm on Monday. Emergency vehicles, local traffic, park‑and‑ride buses and local residents will be exempt. Signage will be posted at the L1502 entrance from the R199 warning of “No Access to Cowboys and Heroes Festival”. The closures are intended to ensure the safety of the thousands of visitors and to allow organisers to set up stages and infrastructure without disruption.

The festival, billed as Ireland’s biggest country‑music event, will feature a mix of established acts and emerging talent, and organisers have promised a free‑pint promotion, with 1 000 free pints available to attendees. The event also includes a family‑friendly atmosphere, with a focus on community and local hospitality.

Leitrim residents are encouraged to plan their travel and water activities carefully during the long weekend. For more details, see the Leitrim County Council water safety page and the Ballinamore Town Council road closure notice.

Summary written by localnews.ie from the original source coverage. Click through for the full report.