Sligo Information
We have separated the information into town, country, and general information sections
Eastern Sligo
Exploring to the east of Sligo Town
Lough Gill : "the Lake of Innisfree"
Lough Gill is a lovely lake just down the road
from Sligo Town, although most of its area lies over the border
in County Leitrim. The waters flow out to make up
the river Garavogue and it has some excellent fishing opportunities
during an exceptionally long season.
A circular driving tour stopping to explore will take a good day or more depending on what is planned. There are opportunities to explore holy wells, prehistoric sights, lovely woodland walks, get a perspective from the middle of the lake or visit a restored plantation or fortified manor house.
Lough Gill forms a geological boundary in the area and the result is a variation in vegetation, which adds to the beauty of the area for walkers and also adds to the range of plant species that can be found, some of which are quite rare. Look carefully at the south and north shores and try to pick up the differences. It is also known for a variety of bird life.
Southeast of Sligo Is an area known as Cairns Hill, where there are two cairns. Legend says are the burial places of two friends who fought each other to the death. The legend behind the tragedy led to the lake being formed from the tears of one of the daughters named Gile. The whole lake area is filled with such legends. A short forest walk is also located in the area.
Tobernalt Holy Well and Mass Stone: This was a place of worship even
before Christian times; but with the coming of Christianity was adopted
as a sacred place. Today people continue to visit the site as a place
of healing and reflection, especially on the weekend of Garland Sunday
(last weekend in July). The well is believed to have healing properties
for a range of ailments.
The Mass Stone is one of many to be found throughout
Ireland and goes back to penal times when Roman Catholic practices
were outlawed. Priests would say mass at secluded places using the
mass stone as an altar in secret for the people under threat of death.
Continuing along the south side of the lake towards Dooney Rock there is a great view on a clear day across the lake.
To the south of the lake are many beautiful forested areas at Castledargan, renowned for its 18-hole private golf course. A hotel is now on the site of the previous fortress at Slish Woods where there is a popular forest trail walks.
Creevelea Friary Ruins
This ruined Franciscan monastery, founded
by the O’Rourkes, continued
to function as a place of worship until the end of nineteenth century,
despite being destroyed a number of times. The cloisters
are quite well preserved and there are lots of carvings of St Francis.
Dromahair (Leitrim)
Dromahair is a nice small town located
on the far eastern side of the lake. It looks a bit different
from some of the other villages which may have something to do with
the English landlords planning the village based on one in the southwest
of England.
The area around the lake has a number of prehistoric tomb sites apart from Cairn Hill, such as Deerpark. Here there is a court tomb which is placed overlooking the lake and dates from 3000BC. The walk up to the site is well signed from a car park below.
Parke's Castle (Leitrim)
This is a seventeenth-century ortified manor house built in Plantation
style and restored. The manor house is built on the site of a previous
fortified house, which belonged to the O’Rourke clan. Sir Brian O’Rourke
was arrested, tried and executed for harbouring and supporting the
Spanish Armada in 1591. His family were dispossessed and the property
passed on to the Parke family. They rebuilt the manor house in the
style seen today.
The castle has been open to the public since 1990, and has under
gone a lot of restoration by local craftsmen using local woods. Parts
of the old O’Rourke fortification have been excavated and can also
be seen.
Tel : 071 9164149
Open March - end October
Parking at the front of the castle free
Admission: adult €2.75 child €1.25 OAP €2.00
Guided tours available, also an audiovisual presentation, café.
Boat tours of the lake are available on the Rose of Innisfree Waterbus.
The journey takes roughly under an hour and there are jetties at Parke's
Castle. The route goes past the various islands on the lake. Not
only does it add a different perspective but also you can find out
about some of the lake legends. In the summer early evening
tours are also available. This is weather and number dependant. For
winter schedule and further information
Tel: 0719161201
Hazelwood Forest Walks
Hazelwood forest and sculpture trail is situated on the way back to
Sligo. The sculptures were started in the mid late 1980s and were
sculptures of fishermen, and various human and animal characters.
The woods are also known for their bird life and the variety of trees
which were planted by the original owners.