Why Sligo?

 

Located 8kms from Sligo Town Rosses Point, seaside village with a magnificent championship golf course. Spectacular scenic views with the Atlantic Ocean on the West, Benbulben dominating the view of the Northern skyline, the east Glencar valley and the Dartry mountains with Lugnagall and Truskmore, while the southern vista is completed by Knocknarea topped by a large Cairn of stones reputed to be the grave of the Warrior Queen Maeve of Connaught. Enjoy a bracing walk.

The walking route will begin at the Pier, taking in the shoreline to the Carrowhubbock North Road, on to the main road and back into Enniscrone. It is located in a strategic scenic position in Enniscrone, with panoramic views of Killala Bay and its environs.

1.5km from the village of Carney on the shore of Drumcliffe  Bay.  The site is located within the Lissadell Estate which was formerly owned by the Gore-Booth family. Although not way marked, a very pleasant walk (The Drumcliff Bay Walk) is available at the site.  The walker is taken along a forest path which runs parallel to the public road and to a stretch of the northern shore of Sligo Bay called Drumcliff Bay.

Located along the riverside in Sligo town, about 15 minute walk from the town centre. In the 19th century Colonel W G Woodmartin of Cleveragh developed this wetland on his estate. A series of ponds were excavated and drier areas were planted with oak, scots pine and a number of other species of tree. There is a nature trail through the park and a picnic area. Recent development includes a new cycling /walking amenities which include 1Km adding to the existing 4km walking trail with looped link pathway to connect existing woodland and cycling pathway.

The Sligo Way is 74km, long distance walking trail, it starts at Lough Talt on the Tubbercurry/Ballina Road R294 and goes east through the village of Coolaney on to the town of Collooney which has good access. It proceeds eastwards along the shores of Lough Gill to the village of Dromahair where it ends.

118km, a network of walking paths which wind their way through adjoining parts of Counties Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon. The Miners way follows many of the paths used by the miners going to work in the Argina coal mines.

Note: Upland and bog sections.

Slish Wood is located about 6 km west of Dromahaire, on the R287 to Sligo. You will find about 3 km of forest walks at Slish Wood. It is a pleasant lakeshore and hillside walk, tracks all the way. It has some lovely views of Lough Gill. The walk is an easy to follow route all the way, the best way to begin is from the north end of the car park and walk along the track beyond with the lake and its tiny wooded islands glimpsed through lovely deciduous trees close on the left.

7km east of Sligo on the road to Calry. The focal point of the site is the presence of a court tomb which dates back to the 3rd millennium BC. There is also a stone circle close by to the trail with a cashel, wedge tomb and souterrain in adjoining lands which is accessible from the trail.

8km south of Sligo Town on the R284, is an old woodland site which was formerly part of the Cooper Estate. The Sligo way, a National Waymarked way runs through a section of Union Wood. From this trail, the Sligo Way proceeds onto the eastern shore of Lough Gill at Slishwood and onto the village of Dromahaire, Co.Leitrim.

Is primarily a woodland walk however it is significant that it runs along open farmland, passes over a freshwater marsh and eventually leads to estuarine mudflats. The interaction between these different habitats gives rise to an incredible wealth of species in a relatively small area each in its own way dependant on another series plants or animals.  

Knocknarea Mountain (329m) is six miles from Sligo town and offers a relatively easy walk of about 45-60 minutes. Knocknarea has a mound of stones at the top, reputedly the tomb of Connaught’s legendary Queen Maeve. Benbulben (527m) has a striking table top profile and is one of Ireland’s most famous mountains. It features prominently in Irish legend and more recently has been associated with W.B. Yeats, who is buried nearby.

At time of writing it is hoped to develop a walk to access Sligo’s iconic mountain Benbulben. Check www.discoverireland.ie/sligo for updates

The Sligo Spur Walks, many of which link into The Sligo Way traverse the Ox Mountain region and stretches from Lough Talt in South Sligo to the border with County Leitrim at Dromahair. The nineteen walks vary in length from about 1 hour to 6 hours. The walks are all circuits, mostly starting and finishing from a small village or town.

 

The Lough Talt Walks, numbering three includes a short walk around the beautiful Lough Talt.

The Knocknashee Walk, which is less than one kilometer, climbs to the summit of one of the most striking hill top features of the Ox Mountain region.

The Tubbercurry Walks all start from the centre of this most beautiful old Irish Industrial town and include the five kilometre around ‘Lover’s Lane’. Come walking here in July and you will be entertained with a feast of traditional Irish Music and culture.

Traverse the River Walk at Coolaney, county winner of the Tidy Towns competition. Enjoy an ecological wonderland and listen to the rushing water through the old mill race.

The Cloonacool Walks take you along quite country roads and across the Mad River. Cloonacool is surrounded by three bridges, take a look at the different shapes of each one as you pass by.

An intriguing journey that draws you into the world of Nobel Poet William Butler Yeats and his brother Jack Yeats. From Dublin to the West of Ireland, through landscape, literature, history and culture. Experience on foot or through suggested driving routes. www.discoverireland.ie/yeatstrail

Ten circular walks introduce the rambler to further delights in the scenic Lough Arrow and Lough Key area. They explore the fascinating archaeology, prolific wild fauna and the colourful flora in an ancient land that has retained its beauty and has remained remarkably unspoiled. Starting points in Boyle, Castlebaldwin, Ballinafad on the N4. Length: 4km-12.3km approx.

Yeats’ would still recognise Sligo City; ships continue to unload at the docks. Markievicz House, in which Grandfather Pollexfen lived, overlooks the quay. Merville to which he retired is now Nazareth Home. Stephen Street - Ulster Bank Building - remembered by Yeats’ when collecting his Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923. The windows of the Swedish Royal palace reminded him of the 1863 Classic Renaissance building in Sligo. Directly in front of the Ulster Bank is a bronze statue of the poet erected in 1989 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his death. Sligo County Museum displays the Nobel Medal awarded to Yeats and a collection of unpublished letters. Wine Street and Adelaide Street stands an impressive building, once part of the extensive property of the Pollexfen family. On the roof can be seen the turret from which William Pollexfen trained a telescope on his ships going in and out of Sligo’s port. John Street The Church of Ireland Cathedral of St John the Baptist designed in 1730 by German architect Cassels. It is here that Yeats mother, Susan Pollexfen, married young barrister John Yeats in 1863. A brass memorial to her can be seen on the  wall near the pulpit. Yeats grandfather supervised the building of his own mausoleum in the adjoining churchyard.

WB Yeats called Sligo ‘The Land of Hearts Desire’ and its beauty, archaeology and folklore filled his early poetry.  A trip around Yeats’ Country illuminates the poet’s words. One notable tour is to Lough Gill where the renowned Isle of Innisfree is located. “Where dips the rocky highland of Sleuth Wood in the lake, there lies a Leafy Island where flapping herons wake the drowsy water-rats”. For suggested routes visit www.discoverireland.ie/yeatstrail

2mls from Sligo Town at Half Moon Bay on the shores of Lough Gill is the Hazelwood Demesne. It has a series of outdoor sculptures by Irish and International artists. It has a picnic area and spectular lakeside views. Watch the swans glide by. The nature trail forms a loop of 3.2km, with two shorted alternative routes available.

Located 4.8km southeast of Sligo on the R287 to Dromahaire on the shores of Lough Gill. The Ikm circuit and nature trail lead to a stunning viewing point at the top of Dooney Rock and command views of the entire Lake and its Island.

Signposed Sli na Slainte walks can be found at:

North West Tourism, Temple Street, 

Sligo Town, Sligo.

+353 (0)71 9161201

Runs from Kilcummin, on Killala Bay in Co. Mayo, where a French expeditionary force landed in 1798 to help the Irish in their rebellion that year. It follows the erratic path of the advancing force to the scene of their final battle and defeat at Ballinamuck in Co. Longford. The route passes through some wonderful Sligo countryside taking in Tubbercurry, Lavagh, Coolaney, and Collooney.

The Tour de Humbert Cycling Trail is marked with a series of finger signposts and sites of historical interest on the route are marked by explanatory panels.

Sligo Town, Sligo.

IWCC touring rides are designed for riders looking for an enjoyable ride at a more comfortable pace. If you’re thinking of starting cycling as a sport for the first time, or you’re unsure of your ability, the touring rides are for you!