Summary
The seaport of Sligo, located in the northwest of Ireland, is indelibly linked to the poet W. B. Yeats. His mother hailed from this town, and Yeats frequented it during his formative years.
It is clear why Sligo is often referred to as “Yeats Country,” as many local landmarks are featured in his literary works, such as the magnificent Benbulben mountain and Lough Gill lake.
The final resting place of Yeats is situated at the base of Benbulben, in the village of Drumcliffe, approximately ten kilometres from Sligo Town.
Prehistoric passage tombs at Carrowmore and Carrowkeel, along with numerous smaller monuments, lend an air of mystique to the surrounding countryside.
In Sligo Bay, one may engage in fishing or seal-spotting excursions, and the Blue Flag Rosses Point Beach merits a visit, regardless of the weather.
Let us delve into the most notable attractions in Sligo:
1. Carrowmore
Located on a plateau to the west of Sligo, Carrowmore is among Ireland’s four most significant Neolithic sites.
The Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery comprises over 30 cairns, with the oldest dating back to 3700 BC, predating even the pyramids of Egypt.
The central tomb, known as Listoghil, was constructed 5,500 years ago and offers access to its box-like chamber.
This is the sole monument at Carrowmore where Neolithic art has been uncovered, and it is also the only tomb that housed interred bodies as opposed to cremated remains.
All other cairns seem to emanate from this singular monument. A visitor centre located in an adjacent old farmhouse provides additional information and guided tours of the complex from March to October.
2. Benbulben
Originally a vast plateau, Benbulben is a 526-metre shale and limestone mountain shaped into its distinctive form by glaciers during the Ice Age.
The result is a rust-colored giant often likened to “Sligo’s Table Mountain.” Benbulben is part of the Dartry Range and is conveniently located just 15 minutes from Sligo.
Despite the imposing appearance of the peak, the gentle southern slope is accessible to most walkers, while the steep northern face remains treacherous due to strong winds.
Additionally, Benbulben is unique in that it is the only location in Ireland where the tea-leaved willow, typically found in Iceland, has been discovered, arriving here as a result of conditions during the last Ice Age.
3. Knocknarea
Another intriguing natural feature, Knocknarea is a prominent monolithic hill visible from great distances on the Cúil Irra peninsula, just west of Carrowmore.
In contrast to Benbulben, Knocknarea offers a clearly signposted path leading to its summit.
This ascent takes approximately 40 minutes from the car park, and upon reaching the top, visitors are welcomed by a Neolithic cairn associated with Queen Maeve of Connacht, a figure from the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology.
The cairn stands ten metres tall and remains untouched by excavation.
While this is the most substantial megalithic structure on Knocknarea, it is far from the only one; the eastern slope is home to a Stone Age village and additional smaller cairns scattered throughout the hills.
4. Lough Gill
The River Garavogue, which traverses Sligo, originates from this freshwater lake situated just a couple of kilometres east of the town.
Lough Gill measures eight kilometres in length and two kilometres in width, its surface adorned with dense forests of islands.
Traveling by road, one can embark on the 35-kilometre Lough Gill Tour (Blue Route), which reveals much to see and appreciate.
Highlights include Parke’s Castle and the Tobernalt Holy Well. During the summer, visitors can take a thematic boat tour titled the Rose of Innisfree.
A walk along the south shore leads to Slish Wood, featuring patches of ancient oak forest estimated to be over 250 years old.
This forest is referenced in Yeats’ poem “The Stolen Child,” while Dooney Rock, a prominent limestone hill along the southwest shore, inspired another of his works, “The Fiddler of Dooney.”
5. Sligo Abbey
Established in 1253, this Gothic monastery features in two of Yeats’ short stories.
In “The Curse of the Fires and the Shadows,” the manuscript recounts Sligo Abbey’s partial destruction during the Irish Rebellion of 1641. Additionally, the abbey has faced calamity over the years, having been set ablaze in 1414 and later damaged in the wars of the late 16th century. Since the departure of its last friars in the 1700s, the abbey has remained abandoned, though it underwent restoration in the 1850s by Lord Palmerston, a two-time British Prime Minister.
Despite the erosion that has affected the structure, it houses exquisite Gothic and Renaissance sepulchral sculptures, along with Ireland’s only original monastic high altar dating back to the 1400s, and cloister arcades preserved on three sides.
6. Rosses Point
Where Sligo Bay converges with the ocean, Rosses Point is an historic fishing village offering stunning views across the bay.
The journey from the centre of Sligo takes less than ten minutes by car, where one can enjoy a stroll around the peninsula.
This walk will take you along verdant cliff tops and behind expansive beaches.
The main beach at Rosses Point has been awarded the Blue Flag annually, and is a sweeping bay that is protected from the open ocean by the peninsular at Ballymulderry to the west.
Further back towards the village, one can observe the Metal Man in the strait—a navigational beacon from 1821 featuring a cast-iron figure pointing towards submerged rocks obscured at high tide.
7. Drumcliffe Parish Church
St Columba’s Church of Ireland serves as the final resting place for W. B. Yeats (1865-1939), with his grave located outdoors.
His gravestone bears the final three lines from his poem “Under Ben Bulben”: “Cast a cold eye / On life, on death / Horseman pass by.” The burial site is fittingly situated, with the unmistakable features of Benbulben rising to the north.
The graveyard also features a beautifully carved Irish High Cross dating back to the 800s, along with the remnants of a Columbian monastery established in the 6th century located just a few steps from the church.
Additionally, a Celtic round tower, presumably from the 900s or 1000s, sits nearby, with ancient cross-slabs embedded in the church’s stonework.
8. The Model
For a comprehensive cultural experience, one need look no further than this cultural centre situated in one of Sligo’s most striking buildings.
This former Model School, designed by architect James Owen and completed in 1862, has undergone two expansions, the most recent one by Sheridan Woods in 2010, transforming it into a state-of-the-art visitor centre.
The space now comprises a gallery, cafe, bookshop, performing arts venue, and artist studios on the upper floor, which offers views over the town.
Recent exhibitions have featured renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Paul Chan, Patti Smith, and Gerard Byrne.
Regardless of the current program, visitors can explore the Niland Collection, which serves as Sligo’s municipal art reserve, initiated by librarian Nora Niland and featuring works by artists including Jack Butler Yeats, George Russell, and Paul Henry.
9. Parke’s Castle
Adjacent to the shores of Lough Gill, Parke’s Castle is a fortified manor house that dates back to the Plantation Era in the early 17th century.
Settler Robert Parke partially dismantled the 15th-century O’Rourke Castle located at the site, repurposing its stone to erect his new residence.
Notably, the Irish rebel Sir Brian O’Rourke was executed at Tyburn Tree in London in 1591.
During the summer months, guests can partake in hour-long guided tours of the castle, which has been restored in the 20th century by employing historical building techniques and materials from 400 years prior.
10. Lissadell House and Gardens
This Neoclassical country house was constructed in the early 1830s for Sir Robert Gore-Booth, 4th Baronet, and enjoys a prime location by the ocean on the northern shore of Sligo Bay.
Visitors are sure to appreciate the dramatic vistas, juxtaposed with the Atlantic Ocean and islands, alongside the strange outlines of the Dartry Mountains in the background.
W. B. Yeats frequently visited Lissadell and referenced the estate in his 1927 poem “In Memory of Eva Gore-Booth and Con Markiewicz,” which tells about the suffragist Eva Gore-Booth and her revolutionary sister Constance, who grew up in this estate.
During the summer, the house opens its doors for tours, offering insights into its notable residents and Irish history from the 1910s and 1920s.
The gardens are particularly breathtaking, with highlights including the oceanfront Alpine Garden and the Victorian Walled Garden.
11. Tobernalt Holy Well
While touring Lough Gill, proceed to the southwest shore, where a natural spring has drawn pilgrims for over 1,600 years.
Before the advent of Christianity in Ireland, Tobernalt (translating to “Well of the Cliff”) functioned as a Pagan meeting site for celebrating the harvest festival of Lughnasa.
In the 18th century, when the Penal Laws restricted Roman Catholics from constructing their own churches, the spring became a gathering location for masses.
Pilgrims travel from near and far to celebrate Garland Sunday, occurring on the last Sunday of July, which replaced Lughnasa in the calendar.
On the hill above the well, visitors can also discover two Neolithic cairns.
12. Devil’s Chimney
This enchanting waterfall, located 11 kilometres from Sligo, only flows during periods of sustained rainfall, making it an excellent destination during the wetter seasons.
If the area has experienced sufficient rain, be sure to prioritize a visit to Devil’s Chimney.
Furthermore, a unique phenomenon occurs here where the wind can halt the water’s descent entirely.
With a vertical drop of 150 metres, it stands as the tallest waterfall in Ireland, cascading from the summit of dramatic carboniferous limestone cliffs that soar over 500 metres above sea level.
A challenging 1.2-kilometre trail leads to the top, offering striking views of the Glencar Lough ribbon lake to the south.
13. Coney Island
Situated at the terminus of Sligo Bay, this island, which almost bridges the distance between Strandhill and Rosses Point, is accessible on foot during low tide.
This can be achieved from Cummeen Strand, though if conditions are not favorable, a ferry is available from Rosses Point.
This island inspired the name for Coney Island in New York and serves as an idyllic spot to witness sunsets on the westernmost edge of the bay.
Coney Island boasts deserted beaches along its coastline, a series of star-shaped forts from the Napoleonic Wars, and picturesque landscapes divided by traditional dry-stone walls.
A solitary pub, McGowan’s, offers a refreshing pint after wandering through the area.
14. Carrowkeel
Serving as an excellent counterpart to Carrowmore, Carrowkeel is another Neolithic cemetery that dates back approximately 5,400 years.
The scenic backdrop adds to the allure and enigma of this site, which is located on the northern summits of the Bricklieve Mountains.
The main cluster houses 14 passage tombs, overlooking Lough Arrow to the east, while additional tombs can be found by venturing westward into the hills.
An interesting aspect of the site is that many of the tombs are oriented towards Knocknarea and Carrowmore, situated 30 kilometres to the north.
Visitors are urged to refrain from climbing on or entering these cairns, as they are more fragile than they appear and may feature cracked lintels.
15. Water Activities
While strolling beside Sligo Bay, the allure of the ocean may be difficult to resist.
Fortunately, there are several enterprises offering excursions into the ocean.
These waters present some of the finest angling opportunities in Ireland, where one could charter a vessel to catch pollock, sea trout, mackerel, or garfish.
Additionally, excursions are available to Inishmurray, an isle home solely to seals since 1948 and the site of the remnants of an early monastic settlement.
The tranquil waters of the Garavogue River estuary and nearby Ballysadare Bay are ideal for activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, kitesurfing, and windsurfing.
Several water sports companies stationed in Sligo and along the coast in Strandhill can assist in organizing such activities.
Open to the ocean, Strandhill Beach features consistent rolling waves, making it one of Ireland’s premier locations for surfing.
