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County Sligo

County Sligo packs as much poetry, myth and folklore into its countryside's lush splendour as any shamrock-lover and archaeologist could hope for. It was Sligo that most inspired the Nobel laureate, poet and dramatist William Butler Yeats (1865–1939). Ever fascinated by Irish mysticism, he was intrigued by places such as prehistoric Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, Knocknarea Cairn, iconic and hulking Benbulben and cute little Innisfree Island.

And it's no complacent backwater: there's a vibrant and creative food culture, and the coast's surf is internationally renowned.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout County Sligo.

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Streedagh Strand
Curving, dune-backed, 3km-long Streedagh Strand occasionally sees parts of the Spanish Armada washing up on its shores from three wrecks offshore: La Juliana, La Lavia and La Santa Maria de Visón; over 1000 soldiers and sailors drowned or were killed when the ships were caught in a storm. It's a site of immense archaeological significance, but there are also many examples of fossilised coral, fascinating geological formations, a wedge tomb and views to the island of Inishmurray. Some people say the wrecks are visible at low tide, but these are actually the ribs of a 'butter boat'. The best way to appreciate the local wonders is to tag along with Auriel Robinson on one of her Sea Trails walks. She will fill you in on all the local geology; marine and land-based archaeology; and folklore, legends and stories associated with Streedagh Strand.
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Yeats' Grave
Yeats was long believed to be buried next to the doorway of Drumcliff Parish Church, but recent evidence suggests that the bones shipped here from France in 1948 were not his at all, owing to his actual bones being scattered about an ossuary during the chaos of WWII. Yeats' youthful bride, Georgie Hyde-Lee, however, is buried alongside. Almost three decades her senior, Yeats was 52 when they married. The poet's epitaph is from his poem 'Under Ben Bulben': 'Cast a cold eye On life, on death. Horseman, pass by!' There's a small cafe & crafts shop beside the church. It is popular with locals at lunch and has a good selection of books. In the 6th century, St Colmcille chose this location for a monastery. You can still see the stumpy remains of a round tower, which was struck by lightning in 1396, on the main road nearby. Also beside the churchyard is an extraordinary 9th-century high cross, etched with intricate biblical scenes that include Adam and Eve, as well as Daniel in the Lion's Den. There is a car park right alongside the church.
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Lissadell House
The imposing ancestral home of the Gore-Booth family is one of Sligo's top sights. Revolutionary nationalist and socialist Constance Goore-Booth (Countess Markievicz) grew up here and WB Yeats used to frequently drop by. The extensive grounds include a gorgeous walled alpine garden that boasts sea views. A 45-minute guided tour leads through the house's grand guest rooms and the servants' quarters. Take the N15 from Sligo to Drumcliff, head along the L3305 through Carney and follow the signs. In 1918 Countess Markievicz was the first woman elected to the British House of Commons. The tour winds through the rooms she grew up in: the anteroom, drawing room, dining room, billiard room and basement (where the kitchens were), but as it is a home in use, the upstairs rooms are inaccessible. For a cheaper ticket, you can explore the exhibition in the coach house and the grounds, but it's the house, restored at great cost by the current owners, that's worth seeing.
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Caves of Keash
Set around 6km southeast of Ballymote, these splendid limestone caves high in Keshcorran Hill make for a fun expedition. You can park near the bottom at the fields at the foot of the slope and climb on up. It doesn't take long to reach the 16 caves, some of which are pretty deep, and afford excellent views over the countryside. Mind your step as it is steep and can be slippery after rain.
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Lough Glencar Waterfall
The poet WB Yeats is among those who've fallen for this 15m tumbling torrent, set in the most beautiful area of Lough Glencar – it features in his poem The Stolen Child. There are astonishing views over the water, especially towards sunset; it's particularly impressive after heavy rain. There's a car park right at the foot of the hill.
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Classiebawn Castle
Although you can't visit this photogenic neo-Gothic turreted pile, views of it against a dramatic backdrop of mountains and sea make for a terrific sight. It was built for Lord Palmerston in 1856 and was later home to the ill-fated Lord Mountbatten, who was killed near here in 1979 when the IRA rigged his boat with explosives.
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Ballymote Castle
Just down from Ballymote train station, the immense shell of Ballymote Castle is a classic, imposing ruin. It was from this early-14th-century redoubt, fronted by formidable drum towers, that O'Donnell marched to disaster at the Battle of Kinsale in 1601.
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Mullaghmore Head
Big-wave tow-in surfing competitions are regularly held off Mullaghmore Head. The area is becoming known as one of Ireland's premier big-wave surf spots with swells of up to 30m allowing for Hawaiian-style adventures.
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Enniscrone Beach
This gorgeous 5km stretch of sand is the real reason to visit Enniscrone, especially as the sun goes down. Cars can drive straight on to the beach; a lifeguard is normally on duty during the summer months.