Sligo Information
We have separated the information into town, country, and general information sections
Sports and Pastimes in Sligo
A highly recommended way to mix with the locals and have a good day out is to attend some of the local sporting events. Even if a visitor is not sure of the rules there is always a resident expert or two that will be happy to act as a guide to their favourite pastime.
From horse racing at Sligo to village GAA matches, sport in Ireland brings in people from all over the community, from priests to housewives and farmers.
County Sligo Races
Cleveragh Rd, 1km from town centre.
When? May - October
Website: www.countysligoraces.com
Race meetings are held regularly at the course in Sligo. Often in summer the meetings are held in the evening and these are popular with visitors to the convenient and lovely setting. Both flat and National Hunt racing takes place at Sligo. In Ireland people from all walks of life go to the races. Parking at the racecourse is free.
Sligo Rovers FC
Website: www.sligorovers.com
Sligo Rovers are the main soccer club from the northwest in the Football League. They have played in the Xircom Premier Division (Ireland’s premier league) since winning the Division 1 Championship in 2005. The people of Sligo Town co-operatively own the club and they carry the colours of red and white.
Since their foundation in 1928 they have had various connections with the English leagues through both players and managers. For example, locals still pride themselves that William ‘Dixie’ Dean finished his playing career with them after leaving Everton.
Sligo Rugby Football Club
Strandhill
The club was founded 1890 and is one of Irelands oldest rugby clubs. Regular home games are held at the club’s grounds.
Gaelic Athletics Association - GAA (Cumann Luthchleas Gael)
Website: www.sligogaa.ie
Main GAA ground Sligo: Markievicz Park, Sligo
Almost every village, parish and town has some involvement in GAA games. The games themselves encompass Gaelic Football (men and women), hurling (men), handball and camogie (women’s hurling which is run by a separate association).
Traditionally clubs revolved around parishes and Institutions such as universities and colleges. Local allegiances tend to be strong and traditional rivalries can provide great passions by both players and spectators. Even those who display little interest in local games will rally to support their county at championship time. The games themselves, especially hurling, are a part of Irish culture and legend.
In Sligo the men’s football team won the Connacht final 2007 for the first time in 32 years. Women’s football and camogie are also fairly strong in the county.
Admission prices to games vary. If there is a charge at a local game it is small.
Fishing
Websites: www.northwestfisheries.ie and
www.wrfb.ie
Sligo has many excellent and varied angling opportunities from course to sea angling. It is renowned for the length of its fishing (in particular salmon) seasons.
The fisheries boards are in charge of all aspects of fishing in Ireland.
The sites above are excellent and provide a host of information for
the independent angler on licensing requirements and permit, approved
guides and guillies, charter boat hire, disabilities, as well as information
on lakes and rivers in the area, types of fishing and up to date reports
of catches.
It should be noted that some stretches of river are private or controlled
by a local angling clubs so it is advisable to check out these issues
ahead with the Tourist board or fishery authorities.
| Name | Holes | Length | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballymote Golf Club www.ballymotegolfclub.ie |
9 | 5302m | ca. €20 |
| Enniscrone Golf Club www.enniscronegolf.com |
9 & 18 | 6775m | € 50-63 |
| County Sligo Golf Club, Rosses Point www.countysligogolfclub.ie |
27 | 6136 & 2785m | €75-85 |
| Strandhill www.strandhillgc.com |
18 | 5675m | €40-50 |
| Tubbercurry Golf Club www.tubbercurrygolfclub.com |
9 | 5527m | €20 |
Other Events
There are many local events that take place off the tourist track that
are well worth the day out. The north and west of Ireland are still
very much rural areas at heart, so agricultural shows, horse shows
and sheepdog trials are popular.
As well as checking with the local tourist office, it is also worthwhile keeping an eye on the local papers such as the Sligo Champion and The Western People, as well as the local radio stations such as Ocean FM, Radio Midwest and Radio Northwest.