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| County Sligo |
Most tourists coming to Ireland content themselves with just visiting the coastal counties such a Dublin, Cork, Galway etc. and if they still have a time left over, they'll make a short trip to Donegal. As with it's neighbouring county, Leitrim, it looks like County Sligo is one of the “forgotten” counties and deserves to be better known. As you can see on this page, the County has got a lot of different things going for it. One of my suggestions would be to start with a " regenerative" seaweed bath in Enniscrone area? If this has whetted your appetite to stay a few days in County Sligo, here are some examples of activities to do and sites to visit. |
| 1. Visit Sligo Town... [   ] Sligo means " the shelly place", probably because of the abundance of shells on the local beaches and in the Sligo Estuary. The town is located at the bottom of Benbulben (see below) and is crossed by the River Garavogue. The town is home to 18,000 people. The town itself forms the ideal base to explore the rest of the county and has many different monuments for example the Town Hall, built in an Italian Renaissance style. See photo on the right-hand side. |
| 2. Navigate the River Garavogue... [ ] Its name sounds French, but it genuinely comes from the Irish language and means young and rough. The river Garavogue, which its way from Lough Gill (see County Leitrim), crosses Sligo twn before ending its journey in the Sligo Bay. |
| 3. Visit Sligo Abbey... [   ] The Sligo Abbey is designated as an Irish heritage site. The Abbey consists of a Dominican Friary, which was founded in the mid 13th century by Maurice Fitzgerald. The site contains a great wealth of carvings including Gothic and Renaissance tomb sculpture. You'll also be able to see a well-preserved cloister and the only sculptured 15th century high altar to survive in any Irish monastic church. |
| 4. Visit the Riches at Rosses Point... [ ] Only a few kilometres from Sligo town-centre, is the village of Rosses Point. It’s home to a championship golf course and admire a pretty view on the Sligo Bay. In the background, you can even distinguish Knocknarea. |
| 5. Admire the view on Ben Bulben... [ ] The Island of Ireland has a number of mountains, which are easy to name because of their characteristic shapes. As Mount Leinster (Co. Wexford) or the Great Sugar Loaf (Co. Wicklow), Benbulben symbolises County Sligo. Benbulben was formed during the Ice age, when large parts of the Earth were under glaciers. It was originally merely a large ridge, however the moving glaciers cut into the earth, leaving this distinct shape. It is possible to climb this mountain but make sure you have suitable equipment and a detailed map of the area. |
6. Climb Knocknarea... |
| 7. Admire the sunset on Knocknarea at twilight... [ ] I can't resist displaying this great sunset taken an evening in July 2008, with Knocknarea in the background. |
| 8. Visit Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery... [ ] County Sligo has got the largest cemetery of megalithic tombs in Ireland. This Cemetery is also among the country's oldest, with monuments ranging from 5,500 to 6,500 years old. Archaeologists have recorded over 60 tombs of which 30 are visible. For a small fee (around €2-3), the Office of Public Works (OPW) organises guided tours. If your budget is tight, you can always see dolmens and passage tombs on the other side of the road, outside the Visitors Centre. |
| 9. Walk on Mullaghmore Beach... [ ] County Sligo has got mountains, Celtic monuments, Castles and also some great beaches. The small fishing town of Mullaghmore, located between Cliffoney and Grange has a beach, which is nearly 3 km long, from where it is possible to swim and windsurfing safely. |
| 10. Dive on the port of Mullaghmore... [ ] When the tide is high, you can dive from the port de Mullaghmore, like other local (crazy?) teenagers. Beware! Even if the spot is relatively popular, this is no French Riviera and you are lucky if the water reaches 15 °C in summer! |
| 11. Drive between Cliffony and Mullaghmore... [ ] After visiting Mullaghmore, take the road towards Cliffony. The scenery between sea, land and mountains will be there in front of you, whatever the weather! |
 Photo 11. Between Cliffony and Mullaghmore. |
| 12. Go to Mullaghmore Point... [ ] If you drive by the Sligo Coast, you'll enjoy a beautiful littoral landscape of Mullaghmore. In some spots, you'll be able to climb rocks, walk on the cliffs or ride horses on the beach and on the quiet roads in the area. |
| 13. Visit Ballinafad Castle... [ ] If you love old ruins, you’ll be pleased to know that this castle was built in 1590 by Captain John St Barbe to defend County Sligo’s first road. Even if it’s construction dates from the 16th century, it was modelled on a 13th-century plan. Originally, the Castle had four storeys, four towers, of which 3 are still visible. It was abandoned in 1680. Nowadays, you can enter the Castle's ruins free of charge. |
| 14. Visit Lissadell House... [ ] Lissadell House was built in 1830 for Robert Gore-Booth in a neo-classic Greek style. The latest news is that since 2009, its current owners are legally challenging Sligo County Council, about rights of way on their property. Since then, it looks like the House and its magnificent gardens is not open to visitors until the legal action has been settled. |
| 15. Who are you calling donkey? [ ] Aaaah, those donkeys are so cute! It's difficult to remain impassive front of the "Hee-haw Family" with Daddy Donkey, Mummy Donkey, Cousin Donkey and Baby Donkey . This photo was taken near Lissadell House in 2008. |
 Photo 15. Hee-haw Family. |
| 16. Drive on the N15... [ ] You are now on the National Road N15, which will lead you toCounty Donegal.To discover Donegal, follow the rainbow or click here! |
| County Sligo in pictures | ||
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 Photo 2. River Garavogue in Sligo. |
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 Photo 3. Sligo Abbey. |
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 Photo 4. Rosses Point. |
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 Photo 5. View on Ben Bulben. |
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 Photo 6. View from Knocknarea. |
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 Photo 7. Sunset on Knocknarea. |
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 Photo 8. Dolmens in Carrowmore. |
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 Photo 9. Mullaghmore Beach. |
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 Photo 10. Fancy a dive? |
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 Photo 12. Horse riding on Mullaghmore Point. |
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 Photo 13. Ballinafad Castle. |
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 Photo 14. Lissadell House. |
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 Photo 16. A rainbow on the N15. |
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Legend:
Nice; Worth a visit; Well worth visiting
Please note that this grading system is only based on my interests and personal experience as a French expat in Ireland. Feel free to visit the same locations and share your experience .
Free or Not Applicable Entrance fee ≤€5 ; €5<Entrance fee≤€10 ; €10<Entrance fee≤€15 and so on...
These price ranges are indicative only to help you plan your holiday budget and are subject to change. Discounts generally apply for families, groups, children, students and seniors citizens.
While the admission to this site is free, a parking fee may apply.
Heritage Site managed by the Office of Public Works. Most OPW sites are free of charge on the first Wednesday of every month during 2011. A Good tip: the Heritage Card entitles you unlimited admission for one year to all OPW sites (around €21).