Sligo Area - Attractions to see?
#1
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Sligo Area - Attractions to see?
I'm planning to be in the Sligo area in mid-September, and aside from visiting Yeats' grave, am looking for recommendations on things to see. I've read about Carrowmore and Carrowkeel and wonder if these are something to drive a bit out of the way to see. Has anyone been there? Eaten at or stayed at Cromleach Lodge? Gone out on Lough Gill by boat? Is there an art gallery with Jack Yeats' paintings? or a bookstore where I can buy Yeats' poetry?
#3
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Denise--go to the the Travel Page that is exclusively Ireland---as opposed to Europe in general. Lots of feedback and comments on Sligo! I am going to Ireland in 2 weeks and have really enjoyed reading and inquiring from others who have already been there.
#4
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In Sligo town you have the Sligo County Museum and Gallery that a good collection of drawings, watercolours and oils by Jack and first editions by William Butler Yeats. Plus there is the Yeats Memorial Building with collection of other artifacts and memorabilia. The 26 mile drive around Lough GIll is beautiful with stops for Dooney Rock nature walk, Parkes Castle, Views or Boat trip of Isle of Innisfree (leaves from castle). The boat trip is about an hour and cost about 5punts. And can visit Lissadell house is a classic 19th mansion.
West of town you can go to Rosses Point and Sradhill beach for a beach walk with views of the original Coney Island, two lighthouses and the Metal Man Statue. Continue and climb Knocknarea with supposed Queen Maeve's burial mound on top. I really enjoyed the informative visit to Carrowmore with its multiple tombs, dolmens, passage graves and stone circles. In Ballysadare you can stop at the Thatch Pub for a pint or a hot soup. If you continue to head west you will hit enniscrone beach and killala harbour (I'll be there next week), Downpatrick head where St Patrick supposedly drove the snakes into the sea, Ceide Fields and Ballycastle. This drive contains some fantastic cliffs around ballycastle.
You could also to a daytrip up to Donegal stopping in Beleek and Donegal china factories.
West of town you can go to Rosses Point and Sradhill beach for a beach walk with views of the original Coney Island, two lighthouses and the Metal Man Statue. Continue and climb Knocknarea with supposed Queen Maeve's burial mound on top. I really enjoyed the informative visit to Carrowmore with its multiple tombs, dolmens, passage graves and stone circles. In Ballysadare you can stop at the Thatch Pub for a pint or a hot soup. If you continue to head west you will hit enniscrone beach and killala harbour (I'll be there next week), Downpatrick head where St Patrick supposedly drove the snakes into the sea, Ceide Fields and Ballycastle. This drive contains some fantastic cliffs around ballycastle.
You could also to a daytrip up to Donegal stopping in Beleek and Donegal china factories.
#5
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When we were in Sligo in 1994 there was a wonderful woodcarver in town--doing mainly Irish mythological figures, as I recall. I loved one of the carvings in his window but the shop was closed. When we went back the next day, it had been sold. But if you're interested in that type of thing, try to find his shop.
#6
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Denise,
All the above suggstions are great - CArrowmore and Carrowkeel are the same as age as Newgrange and not as developed into tourist sites as Newgrange is so they are worth a visit and you can ski9p Newgrange. You should also check out the village of Mullaghmore - great beach and good restaurants,
If you have not got accommodation booked then lok at Temple House (see www.hidden-ireland.com)
Have a great time and I hope the weather improves for you
Cathy
Cathy
All the above suggstions are great - CArrowmore and Carrowkeel are the same as age as Newgrange and not as developed into tourist sites as Newgrange is so they are worth a visit and you can ski9p Newgrange. You should also check out the village of Mullaghmore - great beach and good restaurants,
If you have not got accommodation booked then lok at Temple House (see www.hidden-ireland.com)
Have a great time and I hope the weather improves for you
Cathy
Cathy
#7
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Dont wish to argue with Cathy but do visit New Grange if possible. It is one of the high points in my travel experience. They only allow 16 persoins inside per trip. Listen to the lecture and absorb what the supporting cultures
that were required 5000 years ago entailed. Our present day society pales by comparison.
that were required 5000 years ago entailed. Our present day society pales by comparison.
#8
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Jim,
No offence taken but I recommended Carrowmore et al due to the fact that there can be delays at Newgrange due to its popularity and the fact that it is developed as opposed to Carrowmore and Loughcrew (in Co Meath which is older than Newgrange but requires a climb) have not been as developed, any of the passage graves or cairns as there are called as worth visiting but if you are not into large groups and want plenty of time to wander around then Newgrange is not the place. The interesting thing about the Sligo site is that it is far away from the Boyne Valley cluster ie Newgrange, Dowth and Knowth and Loughcrew.
Cathy
No offence taken but I recommended Carrowmore et al due to the fact that there can be delays at Newgrange due to its popularity and the fact that it is developed as opposed to Carrowmore and Loughcrew (in Co Meath which is older than Newgrange but requires a climb) have not been as developed, any of the passage graves or cairns as there are called as worth visiting but if you are not into large groups and want plenty of time to wander around then Newgrange is not the place. The interesting thing about the Sligo site is that it is far away from the Boyne Valley cluster ie Newgrange, Dowth and Knowth and Loughcrew.
Cathy