Culture & Tourism
Sligo Culture and Tourism
Welcome to Sligo, Ireland, the beauty, the tranquillity, the land of heart’s desire! W.B. Yeats and his brother the artist Jack B. Yeats are strongly associated with Sligo and much of their work is set here. W.B.Yeats grave at Drumcliffe is a popular attraction. The well know epitaph penned by the poet himself reads:
Cast a cold eye
On life, on death
Horseman, pass by!
Sligo’s archaeological and mythological heritage is incredibly rich; the landscape is peppered with monuments, stretching back 5,000 years. Carrowmore which is the largest megalithic cemetery in Ireland and one of the most important in Europe dating back to 5,000BC. Culture in Sligo is a lively, attractive combination of contemporary and traditional theatres and art centres. The magnificent 1830’s Lissadell House and Gardens, associated with both Yeats and the republican Countess Markieviecz.
Sligo has a wealth of attractions to offer, Eagles Flying, Ireland’s largest sanctuary for birds of prey and owls which also houses the National Raptor Centre and has regular bird shows for visitors. In Gurteen, south Sligo, the Coleman Irish Music Centre, the centre brings to life the traditional style of music played by Michael Coleman and other musicians of that time. Sligo Folk Park in Riverstown promises a true experience of rural and Irish heritage and is based on a traditional cottage farm. The Model, Home of the Niland Collection re-opens in 2010 with expanded facilities and gallery space, a cinema, a renowned art collection including a significant collection of Jack B. Yeats work and a superb programme of visual, music and education events. Discover Sligo Town by taking A sign posted walking tour of Sligo Town - 2,059 kbs
The Model Re-Opens
The Model, home of The Niland Collection reopened following an extensive redevelopment over the past two years. The arts centre has increased in size by a third and should realise its potential as one of Ireland’s top cultural centres. The new Model is now home to a separate restaurant and coffee dock, a bookshop, a new gallery circuit on the first floor, a purpose built performance space, and nine artist studios. www.themodel.ie
Well Being
Let your cares ease away in the hot sea water in Strandhill, and Enniscrone. The great outdoors is right here waiting for your with world class facilities. Surfing, sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, fishing from Coarse angling to Game to Deep sea are all available here. No visit to the North West is complete without a boat trip to see Coney Island, Innishmurray or the lake isle of Innisfree, the island that inspired WB Yeats to write Ireland’s most popular poem.
Walkers
Enjoy a mountain hike, way marked trails, looped walks or strolls along the many beaches. The Benwiskin Centre is nestled between the Atlantic ocean and the dramatic mountains of Benwiskin,Truskmore and Tievebaun. An area of natural beauty, inhabited with an abundance of wildlife - red squirrels, deers,badgers, foxes and a wide variety of birds.Steeped in history, the routes will take you through time as you pass Stone Age monuments like the Megalithic Tomb at Creevykeel or Tawley Mass Rock which dates back to Penal Times (1600’s) or to the grave of one of Ireland’s best loved poet’s - W B Yeats.
For more details on the Benwiskin Centre,
Benwiskin walking and cycling brochure
- 799 kbs
This download is in PDF format. 
To view or download .pdf files your computer requires that the Adobe Reader program is installed. The Adobe Reader program is free, and may be downloaded from the Abobe website http://get.adobe.com/reader/
Golf
Sligo is a Golfer’s paradise offering links at Rosses Point, Strandhill and Enniscrone and majestic parklands at Castle Dargan, Ballymote and Tubbercurry.
Equestrian Centres
Sligo has a wealth of top class Equestrian Centres; fancy a headlong gallop in the white Atlantic foam or a trek in the wilderness the terrain varies from beaches to moors, forest trails, mountain paths and lakeshores.
Festivals
Festivals take place all year round from Sligo Live, Ireland’s foremost roots music festival, a host of traditional music festivals, chamber music festivals and events, the Yeats International Summer School - a celebration of literature, music and drama; or why not go racing at the Sligo Races.
Where to Stay
Sligo offers a wide diversity of excellent accommodation ranging from contemporary, luxury 4* hotels to Old World Castles. Choose a rural or urban experience or take a break in an Irish Sligo home. Sample a low impact stay at our EU Flower Certified premise. Prefer the great outdoors ? Sleep under the stars at Sligo’s caravan and camping sites, and backpackers have a choice of excellent hostels.
Getting Here
Choose from buses, trains and internal flights, car hire, taxis, plus a network of roads and motorways.
" 
