Sligo Sets Your Spirit Free
Sligo is a county that celebrates its independent spirit. Writers and artists have long been inspired by Sligo. The world-renowned poet W.B. Yeats was inspired by much of the unique scenery around County Sligo and you will find this captured in
Yeats ’poetry such as the Lake Isle of Innisfree. The final resting place of W.B. Yeats, the site of a 6th Century Columbian monastery, nestles under the spectacular Benbulben Mountain. Today, Sligo is a must-visit destination for lovers of the arts, The Model, home of the Niland Collecton, is one of Ireland’s leading contemporary arts centres, featuring works by John and Jack B. Yeats, Estella Solomons, Paul Henry and Louis Le Brocquy among others. There is a vibrant theatre tradition kept alive by the Hawk’s
Well Theatre, Sligo’s performing arts centre presenting the best of theatre, music, comedy and culture for all ages. The Blue Raincoat/Factory Theatre professional theatre ensemble with a focus on modern European plays and new productions. The popular Michael Coleman Heritage Centre, draws together the many strands of traditional music. A celebration of Irish music, culture and heritage as expressed in the South Sligo Style of music played by fiddle giant Michael Coleman. The magnificent Lissadell
belovneddof
House so W.B. Yeats, built in 1830 by the famous Gore Booth family. Visit the gardens and view Countess Markievicz Exhibition.
Sligo offers an array of outdoor activities and is renowned for its surfing, something to suit every interest, from walking trails in stunning landscapes, championship links golf courses, stand up paddling, off-shore diving, kiteboarding, to a relaxed afternoon of fishing or even an uplifting horse-ride along the beach.
Sligo is a fantastic foodie destination. Take in some of the exciting Food
Trail experiences from a craft beer tour to baking classes to a lunch on the seashore with your ancestors.
Take a Sligo Food Tour, meet the proud personalities behind Sligo food, hear fascinating local stories and gain some insider knowledge on where the food comes from and how it is produced. Sligo Oyster Experience, indulge in Sligo Bay Oysters at WB’S Coffee House while you are guided by owner Aisling through the history and current farming methods of harvesting oysters on the Wild Atlantic Way. The Sligo Foodie Tour, brings you on a culinary tasting, which is unique and the experience changes on each tour. Discovery lively locals in a vibrant neighbourhood with a rich cultural and architectural heritage.
Atlantic Sheep Dogs in Streedagh, you’ll get to meet and spend time with some of the smartest dogs in the world. Get to see the incredible teamwork between man and dog. Eagles Flying located at Portinch, in Ballymote is Ireland’s biggest sanctuary for birds of prey and owls offers you impressions of majestic raptors soaring over beautiful locations.
Sligo’s Archaeological and mythological heritage is incredibly rich, with one of the highest concentrations of prehistoric and later monuments in Western Europe. This ancient county is filled with over 5,000 archaeological sites, Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetary is the largest cemetary of megalithic
tombs in Ireland. Overlooking Carrowmore, on the summit of Knocknarea Mountain, is the huge flat-topped cairn called ’Miosgan Meadhbha’ (Maeve’s Cairn), 55m in diameter and 10m high. In the beautiful limestone upland of the Bricklieve Mountains, above the western shore of Lough Arrow is the impressive passage tomb cemetery of Carrowkeel. CreevyKeel Court Tomb, in the foothills of Tievebaun Mountain, is one of the best examples of a court tomb in Ireland. Knocknashee
(The Hill of the Fairies), located near Tubbercurry, is a spectacular limestone tabletop plateau commanding a widespread view of the north Connaught plain.
Sligo Abbey in the heart of Sligo town is a 13th century Dominican Friary has a great wealth of carvings including Gothic and Renaissance tomb sculpture, a well preserved cloister and the only sculptured 15th century high altar to survive in any Irish monastic church.
Sligo’s stunning coastline hosts many discovery points along The Wild Atlantic Way. Bustling seaside villages and hidden bays alike are waiting to be found. Mullaghmore Beach, overlooked by the majestic Classiebawn Castle, is situated in North Sligo next to the picturesque village of Mullaghmore. Whilst nearby Streedagh Strand is a 3km sandy beach with dunes and a lagoon behind with fantastic views over the sea to the mountains of Donegal, and behind to the famous Benbulben mountain. Further along the coast at Rosses Point, the area that inspired many of Jack B. Yeats’ artwork, are three sandy beaches, where there will always be space to walk, run, or simply sit. The coastal towns of Strandhill and Enniscrone offer both spectacular scenery and activities ranging from surfing, golfing, fishing, standup paddling, kite boarding, horse riding, fishing, swimming or even a relaxing seaweed bath. All the while overlooking the vast Atlantic Ocean.
Walking trails are plentiful around the county. Easy-going terrains set in beautiful forests, hills and lakesides are accessible for families and make for a great day out. Longer trails like the Sligo
Way (74km walking route that traverses the county) or the Miners’ Way and Historical Trail offer more challenging routes for the dedicated walker. Popular walking routes include Queen Maeve’s Trail on Knocknarea, Benbulben-Gortarowey Trail, The Devil’s Chimney.
Free Guided Walking Tour of Sligo Town - Mon- Sat 11am from Tourist Office, O’Connell St. This tour will include places of historical, musical, sporting and cultural interest.
Sligo plays hosts to a range of amazing festivals from Race meetings, to a celebration of Yeats and any number of music festivals. There are many places to tap into Sligo’s trad music heritage, the Coleman Traditional Irish music in Gurteen, James Morrison Festival in Riverstown, the Comhaltas Summer Seisúin in Gurteen. Regular music sessions in many of the pubs across the county year round.