Sligo Information
We have separated the information into town, country, and general information sections
Sligo Town / Sligeagh
Population: around 18,000
Sligo - the name means 'place of the shells' - has traditionally been the crossroads of the provinces of Ulster and Connacht. Today excellent connections exist to the north towards Donegal and Derry and Enniskillen/Fermanagh is only about one hour away. The N4 is the main road to Dublin and the Midlands and the N17 south provides links to Knock, Galway and beyond.
The advent and the continued expansion and popularity of the regional airports have made Sligo accessible not only as a holiday destination and weekender getaway place, but also as a business location.
The mountains of Benbulben and the Dartrys to the north, Lough Gill to the east and Knocknarea and the Ox mountains to the south provide the horseshoe backdrop for the town. The town is located on the river Garavogue (formerly Sligeagh) that flows out through the bay into the Atlantic Ocean.
Its location explains its growth and importance to the area from fishing and small port settlement to county capital.
Sligo Town itself is a vibrant place for young and old alike. It is a market and commercial town with a fair-sized student population due to the College and Institute of Technology based here. The town has a lively feel to it and there is always something going on: from the many pubs offering live music and the various musical events throughout the year, to a range of cultural opportunities, such as art, drama, and summer and winter schools. There are also many sporting events taking place from horse racing and football to regattas and rallies.
There are many restaurants offering cuisine from Irish to French, but highly recommended are the seafood and fresh fish dishes. Some restaurants are especially renowned for this in and around Sligo.
In the centre of town the streets are small and a lot of effort has been made to divert the traffic in various directions away from the centre. The ring road means that you will have to keep a sharp eye on the road signs to pick up the road you are looking for, especially if it is in the town itself.
The Tourist Board (Bord Fáilte) is situated just off the town centre but, having found it, you can normally park temporarily outside. The staff is very helpful and have a host of information not just for Sligo but particularly for some of its neighbouring counties in the northwest region.
There is information available in a range of booklets, maps, brochures and guides. Some very good information is available in free brochures from OPW (Office of Publc Works) and Bord Fáilte e.g. fold out map of Sligo with the main places of interest marked and a brief description. Books and maps are also available for walking, driving tours and a combination of both.
Guided tours are also organised to illustrate the stories and insights associated with a town with such a varied history.
Rosses Point, Strandhill and other surrounding towns can be accessed by private or public transport from the town. Daily trips and tours of the area and county are also locally available.