Yeats Country

County Sligo is in Northwest Ireland and Lakelands. Sligo is often overlooked but most visitors can understand the slogan 'Sligo is surprising'. It is a small county but densely packed with scenery and cultural interest and is divided into two regions.

Yeats Country - this area vaguely describes the land within about 10 miles of Sligo town which features in Yeats' poetry.

South Sligo - the larger, more remote and less scenic (in comparison) part of the country, which has a reputation for tradtional music.

Image: County Sligo

Much of the landscape of Sligo features in the poetry of W.B.Yeats (The Stolen Child, The Fiddler of Dooney) and the poet is buried, as he wished in Drumcliffe, north of Sligo town. There is an annual Yeats Summer School which attracts writers and students from all over the world, but many other visitors enjoy the insights the poet has given into the landscape.

Towns

Below you will find a list of towns within County Sligo. If a Further information link is available, please click on it to find detailed information including accommodation, restaurants, bars, pubs, shops and more...

Ballymote

Grange

Rosses Point

Sligo - Further information

Strandhill - Further information

Tubbercurry

What to see / Things to do

Knocknarea Mountain - is 6 km west of Sligo on the Cuil Irra peninsula. It is just over 300m and can be climbed in 20 to 40 minutes. The summit offers a magnificent panorama of the indented coast and holds a massive cairn, which is reputed to be the grave of the ancient Celtic warrior Queen Maedbh (pronounced May-v). the cairn is estimated to weigh 40,000 tons; it has never been excavated. Climbers are now requested NOT to climb on the cairn or to use the stones from the cairn due to much damage in recent years. An old local tradition has it that a climber should bring a stone from the bottom of the mountain and place it on the cairn on the top. Failure to do so, according to the legend, will result in your dreams being haunted by the Queen Maeve herself! Between Sligo town and Knocknarea is the megalithic cemetery of Carrowmore. This is a significant ancient site one of the four great passage tomb complexes of Ireland - Further information

Heapstown Stone Cairn - (Near Highwood, turn right at Castlebaldwin coming from Dublin on the N4) is a 7 m tall megalithic mound set in a farmyard close to Lough Arrow. Also in this area are the Moytirra mounuments, including The Labby Rock. A historical trail links these sites. As you travel from Heapstown towards Killadoon Cross Roads, look north east and you can see on the hillside the Gyreum which is a venue and accommodation place influnced by megalithic architecture and the halls of Gaelic Chieftain's.

The Carrowkeel Passage Tomb Cemetery - is another collection of ancient graves, less conveniently placed, on the slopes of Bricklieve mountain 20 miles south of Sligo.

Ben Bulben Mountain - is a prominent table mountain that dominates the landcape to the North. It is about 5 miles from Sligo town.

Coney Island - Said to have given its name to its better known namesake in New York City. In Irish it translates as Oilean na gCoiníní (Island of the Rabbits, Coinín means rabbit). If you're feeling adventurous, and the tide is out, you can drive across the strand to the island. Do check with locals regarding tide times, as almost every year tourists (and locals) get stuck in the sand.

Recommended accommodation in County Sligo

Coopershill House, Riverstown - The setting is magical. Nestled in the center of a 500 acre private estate of mature hardwoods, deer pastures and a river, privacy at this country house is total. Inside, the warm welcome, open fires and incredible cooking are complemented by large, bright bedrooms and oh so comfy beds - Visit website