visit www.sligotourism.ie Sligo’s coastline hosts many discovery points along The Wild Atlantic Way. Bustling seaside Sligo will enchant you. villages and hidden bays alike are waiting to be found. Mullaghmore Beach, overlooked by the It is a county that celebrates its majestic Classiebawn Castle, is situated in North Sligo next to the picturesque village of Mullaghmore. independent spirit. A place steeped Whilst nearby Streedagh Strand is a three kilometre in Irish history and mythology, with sandy beach with dunes, a lagoon and fantastic views a creative tradition that lives in the of the famous Benbulben mountain. music, art, poetry and expression Further along the coast at Rosses Point, the area that inspired many of Jack B. Yeats’ artwork, are three of its people. sandy beaches, where there will always be space to walk, run, or simply sit. The coastal towns of Strandhill From lakes and rivers to beaches and Enniscrone offer both breathtaking scenery and activities ranging from surfing, golfing, fishing, stand- and dramatic limestone mountains, up paddling, kite boarding, horse riding, swimming Sligo is a place where ancient or even a relaxing seaweed bath. sites, spectacular landscapes and Walking trails are plentiful around the county. Easy-going terrains set in beautiful forests, hills rolling waves inspire stories, trails and lakesides are accessible for families and make and adventures that will open your for a great day out. Longer trails like the Sligo Way mind and invigorate your body. (a 74km walking route that traverses the county) or the Miners’ Way and Historical Trail offer more challenging routes for the dedicated walker. The most popular walking routes include Queen Maeve’s Trail on Knocknarea, Benbulben-Gortarowey Trail, The Devil’s Chimney and Glencar Lake & Waterfall. visit www.sligotourism.ie 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. It is believed the first settlers to Ireland came into the Northwest and the ancient burial sites lay testament to this. Serene megalithic complexes invite visitors to take a journey back through time to walk in the footsteps of Iron Age communities and to learn legends of Stone Age Chieftains. In the Bricklieve Mountains, overlooking Lough Arrow, is the impressive passage tomb cemetery of Carrowkeel. There are 14 neolithic cairns, dating from around 3,500 BC, Carrowmore Megalithic with a further six cairns extending Cemetery is the largest cemetery west to Keshcorran Mountain. of megalithic tombs in Ireland, Creevykeel Court Tomb, in the ranging from 5,000 to 5,800 years foothills of Tievebaun Mountain, is old. Archaeologists have recorded one of the best examples of a court over 60 tombs of which 30 are tomb in Ireland. The site is dated to visible today. 4,000 BC. Overlooking Carrowmore, on Knocknashee (The Hill of the the summit of Knocknarea Fairies), near Tubbercurry, is a Mountain, is the huge flat- limestone table-top plateau with two topped cairn called ‘Miosgan large neolithic cairns. The scale of Meadhbha’ (Maeve’s Cairn), 55m the site suggests it was an important in diameter and 10m high. The centre at the end of the Bronze Age. name of the monument along It is said to be the home of the Fairies with folklore suggests it was built of the region, and is well respected for the mythical Maeve, the Iron and revered as such. Age Queen of Connacht. 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 Stolen Child and The Fiddler of Dooney. The final resting place of W.B. Yeats, the site of a 6th Century Columbian monastery, nestles under the spectacular Benbulben mountain. The Model, home of the Niland Collection, in Museums here offer time for reflection Sligo town centre, is one of Ireland’s leading on bygone times, and impressive contemporary arts centres, featuring works stately homes, each have a story to tell. by John and Jack B. Yeats, Estella Solomons, The magnificent Lissadell House so Paul Henry and Louis Le Brocquy among others. beloved of W.B. Yeats, built in 1830 by the famous Gore Booth family, should not be Sligo is proud of its traditional music heritage, which missed. Set amid the stunning scenery of is celebrated at regular events throughout the year. mountain, woods and sea, Lissadell House & The popular Michael Coleman Heritage Centre, draws Gardens are famous as the childhood home together the many strands of traditional music. The of Constance Markievicz and her siblings Eva centre is dedicated to the memory of the legendary fiddle and Josslyn Gore Booth. Constance was one player, Michael Coleman (1891-1945), who was universally of the leaders of the 1916 Rising, and was acclaimed as one of the finest traditional fiddle players the first woman to be elected to the House of his era. of Commons at Westminister, London. Eva was a poet of distinction and an active suffragette. visit www.sligotourism.ie An array of activities to suit every interest can be found in Sligo. From walking trails in striking landscapes, adventurous water sports, a round of golf overlooking the ocean to a relaxed afternoon of fishing or even an uplifting horse-ride along the beach. Sligo is a fantastic foodie destination where restaurants and innovative cafés take pride in serving fresh, local, healthy food. The county offers a diverse choice of high quality accommodation. Visitors can choose to stay in contemporary four star luxury hotels, castles and stately homes, cosy bed and breakfasts or even enjoy a break in an Irish home and sample a true taste of Ireland. If you prefer the great outdoors, sleep under the stars at Sligo’s caravan and camping sites or there are comfortable holiday hostels for backpackers. The choice is endless but the quality assured and always with a hundred thousand welcomes! Céad Míle Fáilte! Come and join us in Sligo and set your spirit free! Historical Fact Sligo is the county town and the largest town in the north-west area. The first recorded mention of Sligo was in the year 807, when marauding Vikings sacked the town. The arrival of the Anglo-Norman Maurice Fitzgerald in 1245 was marked by the building of a castle, nothing of which, unfortunately, remains. In 1252 Fitzgerald established a Dominican Friary in the town, which flourished until it was destroyed by fire in 1641; it was restored and is now open to the public. visit www.sligotourism.ie What’s on in Sligo 2019 The highest calibre of international, national and local artists grace Sligo venues in a sparkling series of arts and cultural events throughout the year. 6–12 May Cos Cos 13th Annual Sean Nos Festival 13–16 Jun Yeats Day Festival 14–16 Jun Rosses Point Wild Atlantic Shanty Festival 14–16 Jun Paddy Killoran Traditional Festival 6–13 Jul Cairde Sligo Summer Festival 23–30 Jul Sligo Jazz Project & International Summer School Festival 14 –20 Jul South Sligo Summer School Traditional Music, Song & Dance 18–28 Jul Tread Softly Festival 25 Jul–2 Aug 60th Yeats International Summer School 2–5 Aug James Morrison Traditional Weekend 8–11 Aug Sligo Summer Festival 10–14 Aug Tubbercurry Old Fair Day Festival 22–25 Aug Coleman Traditional Festival 27–29 Sep 24th Sligo Festival of Baroque Music 20–22 Sep Celtic Fringe Festival 27 Sep–1 Oct Frank Finn Traditional Singing Weekend 18–28 Oct Sligo Live Festival 15–17 Nov International Choral Festival Jun–Sep Free Guided Walking Tour of Sligo City 21 May, 18 Jun, 14 Jul, 7–8 & 20 Aug, 25 Sep Sligo Race Meetings Slig ® visit www.sligotourism.ie.