There are a huge amount of things to do, from surfing to heritage, sailing to taking in the Yeats experience, all on our doorstep. Check out these top 10 things to do during your stay with us. For information on all activities, places to see or accommodation, you can visit www.sligotourism.ie.
1
Walk in the footsteps of the poetry of WB Yeats around Sligo where he spent much of his youth and drew inspiration for much of his poetry.
“I will arise and go now and go to Innisfree”.
Follow Yeats to Innisfree and see the island from the Lough Gill Shoreline or from the deck of the Rose of Innisfree tour boat. Your fifty minutes cruise takes you peacefully up the Garavogue river past Hazelwood onto the majestic waters of Lough Gill.
“I went down to the hazel wood because a fire was in my head”. Walk through the woods at Hazelwood Forest near the poetically-named Half Moon Bay.
“Where the wandering water gushes from the hills above Glencar”. Be mesmerized by this spectacular Waterfall at Glencar Lake and for a closer view, take a hike up the bog road.
“When I play on my fiddle in Dooney” and “Where dips the rocky highland of Sleuth Wood in the Lake”. Take a stroll along the Dooney Rock and Slish Wood forest walks along the shore of Lough Gill.
“Under bare Benbulben’s head”. Drumcliffe is WB Yeats’ final resting place and a place of pilgrimage for poetry lovers. There are lovely tea rooms with home cooked produce and coach parking beside the site.
2
There is a self guide booklet available in the Sligo Tourist Office located on O’Connell St, in the very centre of town. In the summer months (June, July & August) a free guided tour leaves from the Tourist Office. No prior booking required. Join in, or visit places like these in your own time.
The Model – home of The Niland Collection, is one of Ireland’s leading contemporary arts centres. Built in 1862 as a Model School.
The Yeats Memorial Building – permanent exhibition on the life and works of W.B. Yeats, guided tours, Yeats Art Gallery and café.
Sligo Abbey – Abbey Street, Sligo Town, Tel: +353 9146406. Known locally as the “Abbey” this abbey survives from the medieval days. It was built by Maurice Fitzgerald for the Dominicans in 1252 and was accidentally burnt down in 1414 when a candle left carelessly in the building set it on fire, and it was further damaged during the 1641 rebellion. Legend says that worshippers saved the Abbeys silver bell which was thrown into Lough Gill and only those free from sin can hear it peal. The site contains a great wealth of carvings including a Gothic and Renaissance tomb sculpture, well preserved cloisters and the only sculptured 15th century high altar to survive in any Irish monastic church.
Michael Quirke Woodcarver – Michael has a premises on Wine Street. Originally a butcher he now carves mainly Irish mythological figures from indigenous Irish wood. He is a real character and has a great story to tell! Note: He doesn’t keep to fixed opening times, but is usually on site each day!
3
Carrowmore is the most extensive cemetery of megalithic tombs in Europe and is also among the country’s oldest, with monuments over 5,000 years old.
The megaliths are older than the pyramids of Egypt. A restored cottage houses an exhibition relating to the site.
4
Sligo Folk Park is located in the beautiful village of Riverstown, Co. Sligo.
The community-based attraction gives a true experience of rural life and Irish heritage at the turn of the late 19th Century. Set in the grounds of Millview House, Sligo Folk Park has a wonderful museum and exhibition hall where visitors can see one of Ireland’s finest collections of rural history and agriculture artifacts.
5
The Coleman traditional Irish music centre is a celebration of Irish Music, Heritage and Culture as expressed in the South Sligo style of music played by Michael Coleman and other musicians of his era.
This community-based centre in Gurteen, Co. Sligo is dedicated to ensuring that the tradition of Irish music remains a living one and that it continues to be enjoyed by all ages and nationalities.
6
Ireland’s largest sanctuary for birds of prey and owls offers you incomparable impressions of majestic raptors soaring over the Sligo countryside.
Experience some of the biggest birds of prey in the world flying closely overhead. Watch different species of eagles hunting on prey-dummies in their natural environment. Includes an indoor facility when the weather is not agreeable!
Tel: (0)71 9189310
7
Sligo is the perfect spot for a fun and spine tingling adventure holiday, ranging from surfing to windsurfing and gravity defying kiteboarding! Beaches like Enniscrone, Easkey, Strandhill & Mullaghmore have become internationally renowned and there are several surf schools in the area.
Stand-up paddling is one of the fastest growing water sports worldwide. SUP can be done on any body of water – flat water or paddle surfing. It is easy to learn and great exercise and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Fully equipped licensed boats are available for deep sea fishing around the coast with an experienced skipper to guide you.
Deep sea dive in some of Europe’s clearest waters.
If you don’t fancy getting wet there is plenty to do on land as well, why not experience this natural beauty on Horseback or Walk through rugged way marked trails, enchanting coastal paths, Looped walks along drumlins, mountains & country lanes.
Experience Golf in some of the top class courses and Links around the Yeats County.
Whatever your adventure you will not be disappointed!
Watersports – Surfing, choose from a number of Sligo Surf Schools located in Strandhill and Enniscrone. Stand up Paddleboarding (SUP), LSD Kiteboarding, North West Adventure Tours, Freediving at Mullaghmore.
Golf – Enjoy championship links and parkland courses throughout County Sligo. www.golf.discoverireland.ie
Walking – urban, upland, coastal, forest, lakeside and rural walks www.discoverirelnd.ie/walking www.sligowalks.ie
Equestrian – Trekking along secluded sandy beaches, Special Island Rides, Horse-Drawn Carriages, Riding Lessons and Riding Holidays at www.islandviewridingstables.com
Waterpoint, Enniscrone www.waterpoint.ie
Sligo Boat Charters www.sligoboatcharters.com. Take a sea taxi from the pier at Rosses Point to explore Coney Island. There you can picnic or have a cook-out with a portable barbeque. Coney Island is an escape from the real world as well as an escape from the mainland. The island even has a secret, secluded beach for swimming.
Beaches – Top Five Sligo Beaches – Rosses Point Blue Flag Beach, Mullaghmore Beach – holds a Green Coast award, Enniscrone Blue Flag Beach, Streedagh Beach, Dunmoran Beach.
8
Take in the atmosphere of our markets, by browsing around and sampling the local and organic produce such as farmhouse cheeses, salmon, meats and a wide range of organic fruit & vegetables.
9
Tobernalt Holy Well is a place of reflection and nurturing serenity. It predates the advent of Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century.
Its importance as a meeting place and a sustainer of life predates our Celtic ancestors. Tobernalt is a natural spring well that established itself in a primeval forest. It is situated at the South West corner of Lough Gill in the North Sligo Barony of Carbury.
10
As the name suggests it is a bath full of hot sea water with seaweed added but to confine the answer to a factual description is to do a great injustice to what is, to thousands of people who enjoy it, the ultimate bathing experience!
Voya – located on the esplanade at Strandhill, looking out over the Atlantic Ocean, Voya Seaweed Baths is an award winning family run business which has appeared on national and international television. The baths are hugely successful and amongst the most popular of Sligo’s many attractions.
Kilcullens - in 1912 the doors of Kilcullen’s Bath house were first opened for business. Kilcullen’s Bath House is situated in the picturesque seaside village of Enniscrone, Co. Sligo.
For Further Information please contact:
Sligo Discover Ireland Centre
O’Connell Street
Sligo
071 9161201
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