Sligo

Things to Do in Sligo

WB Yeats´ Grave

Drumcliffe, Co. Sligo is set against the striking backdrop of the Benbulben Mountains. It is best known as the final resting place of W.B. Yeats. Found in the churchyard, his grave is marked with a simple headstone with the inscription, “cast a cold eye on life, on death, horseman, pass by.”

Mullaghmore Head

Land and sea come together to create something truly special at Mullaghmore Head. This is the home of big wave surfing in Ireland, and surfers come from all over the world to test their skills against epic waves. But there’s more to Mullaghmore. There are boat trips to the 6th century monastic ruins on Inishmurray Island, Classiebawn Castle dominating the surrounding landscape with its Gothic splendour and nearby Ben Bulben, the flat-topped mountain famed in Irish mythology and the poetry of W.B. Yeats.

Streedagh Beach

With easy walking along its 3km stretch, it’s one of the most tranquil spots in the west, with the golden sands being a favourite playground for children. Don´t miss the site of the Spanish Armada shipwreck from 1588.

Surfing

From the big wave thrills at Mullaghmore and Strandhill’s consistent breaks, to the family-friendly swell at Enniscrone, no trip to Sligo is complete without a go on a surfboard. Surf schools can help newbies paddle out with confidence, while pros can hunt for secret spots.

Coney Island

Coney Island is approximately 400 acres and is so named because of the vast quantity of rabbits which can be spotted on the island at any time. It´s accessible by driving or walking over the causeway (guided by the 14 pillars) at low tide.

Sligo Abbey

Looking for something to do in Sligo? The medieval Dominican abbey in Sligo Town offers a peek into an intriguing past, with artefacts, lore and a rich history dating back to 1252. It’s also one of the best places to see Gothic and Renaissance tomb sculptures.

Carrowkeel

The Neolithic cemetery complex at Carrowkeel is one of the finest examples of a passage tomb in Ireland, consisting of 14 cairns dotted across the beautiful hills of the Bricklieve mountain range in the south of Co. Sligo, near the Co. Roscommon border.

Benbulben

Benbulben is known as Co, Sligo’s ‘Table Mountain’ and is part of the Dartry Mountains. It was originally merely a large ridge, however the moving glaciers cut into the earth, leaving a distinct formation, now called Benbulben. It is possible to climb Benbulben as there is a looped access trail but it is strongly advised that you have a guide to hike Benbulben.

Eagles Flying

The attraction for all the family. Nestled in the green hills of south Sligo, Ireland’s largest sanctuary for raptors and owls, the Irish Raptor Research Centre/Eagles Flying is situated on more than 27 ha of mature parklands near Ballymote. Currently it is the home of more than 100 eagles, hawks, owls, falcons and vultures. For the ones who prefer it more cuddly, there is also a large supervised petting zoo, where visitors can get hands-on with guinea pigs, pigs, rabbits, lambs, goats, donkeys, ferrets, and many more. The sanctuary reopened May 1.

ROCK OF AGES

Not even a pandemic can stop the power of history in its tracks.

Part of the Irish landscape for over 4,500 years, Dolmen tombs have earned iconic status. The Sligo Community Archaeology Project, alongside the Heritage Council, has been out in search of hidden prehistoric treasures. They struck rock gold recently when archaeologist Tamlyn Tamlyn McHugh, pictured, spotted some rare art on a large boulder in Cloghcor. “Ireland’s archaeological heritage can be found everywhere, in our cities, towns and villages, and most abundantly in our countryside where despite modernisation and changing agricultural practices we have preserved some of the world’s finest monuments,” she says. McHugh has worked on a wide variety of excavations in her career to date, the most recent of which was a Bronze Age flat cemetery with cremation burials in Co. Donegal. While some monuments, such as her most recent discovery, are on private land or working farms and so off limits to the public there are many more that can be visited. Amongst these are Newgrange Passage Tomb and The Hill of Tara, with its complex of mounds and enclosures, both located in Co. Meath. Drombeg stone circle in Co. Cork is worth a visit, as is Beltany stone circle in Co. Donegal. “A favourite of mine is the breath-taking Poulnabrone Portal Tomb in the Burren in Co. Clare,” says Tamlyn, who dreamed of becoming an archaeologist as a child. Another lesser-known Burren exists in Co. Cavan where prehistoric rock art has been discovered and several court tombs dot the karst limestone landscape. “I would also highly recommend a visit to settlement sites, amongst these are the impressive stone forts of Staigue Fort in Co. Kerry, An Grianan of Aileach in Co. Donegal and not for the faint-hearted Dún Aonghasa, Inis Mor Co. Galway,” she adds. Citizen archaeologists are encouraged to look out for and report artefacts, but there are a few rules to follow. “Archaeological sites are protected under the National Monuments Acts, which makes it illegal is disturb or use a metal detector,” Tamlyn says. “If you do find an artefact it is imperative to report it to the National Museum of Ireland and a new site must be reported to the National Monuments Service.” Sligo’s scenery is stunning, think Benbulben for a start, and its archaeological and mythological heritage is just as rich. The county has over 6,500 recorded sites and monuments, from prehistoric shell middens, tombs and mounds to medieval churches and castles. “Creevykeel court tomb is located outside Cliffoney village on the Wild Atlantic Way and is an impressive monument to behold,” says Tamlyn, who has have worked as a professional archaeologist in Ireland for 20 years since graduating from University College Cork. “Another court tomb can be found at Deerpark through a gentle walk in beautiful woodland. In Sligo we also have one of the most uniquely-sited passage tombs, unbelievably located on a roundabout within Abbeyquarter, an area of Sligo town overlooking Lough Gill.” Sligo’s largest passage tomb is Miosgan Meadhbha, situated on Knocknarea Mountain dominating the skyline. “But don’t climb on the cairn as it is a sacred place and reputed to be the burial place of the legendary Maeve Queen of Connacht,” Tamyln says, adding no visit to the county would be complete without a trip to Carrowmore megalithic cemetery. Avail of a guided tour for the full experience. So if you’re in search of a little mystery in your life, this summer is the perfect time to get up-close to one of these magnificent ancient monuments.

All that glitters is golden in Gweedore

If there was ever a competition for the loveliest beaches, then Co. Donegal’s Port Arthur beach would surely feature among the top of the list. Located to the northwest in the Gaeltacht area of Gweedore, which boasts over 25km of coastline, Port Arthur takes its place among some of the most unspoilt beaches covered in golden sands and surrounded by crystal clear waters that define the Wild Atlantic Way. Once the sun starts to set, Derrybeg - less than 3km away - makes a perfect pitstop to enjoy some traditional music and get chatting to the welcoming locals down the village pub.