Carrick is the big town — by Leitrim standards — and it earns its keep as the county’s river capital. The Moon River cruise runs hour-long trips on the Shannon from the quay, which is the laziest and arguably best way to see the river you’ve been sleeping beside.
The town does food well: cafés, bistros and restaurants in a walkable few streets, with the river never far from view. For a wet afternoon or a competitive family, there’s indoor go-karting on the edge of town and Jump Street trampoline park — dodgeball, foam pits, wall trampolines — guaranteed to return children quieter than you delivered them.
It’s also your practical stop: supermarkets for the big self-catering shop, pharmacies, and the train station with direct services to Dublin.