Sligo is a buzzy cultural county and is fast becoming an emerging cycling destination with recent investments in cycling routes and facilities. Major urban cycle routes have recently been completed in Sligo town and there are also a good range of cycle and adventure tour companies offering a range of tours for intrepid mountain bike enthusiasts to the urban cyclist. Bikes are also available for hire from Sligo town.

The new Coolaney National Mountain Bike Trail Centre will open in Spring 2020. Sligo was considered the spiritual home of the poet WB Yeats, and you will find his grave, one of the most visited locations in Sligo, at Drumcliffe Church. Visitors to the county are encouraged to visit the beautiful places and landmarks which inspired his poetry. The county is also rich in megalithic tombs and cairns, most notably Carrowkeel, Carrowmore and Queen Maeve’s cairn on Knocknarea mountain in Strandhill. 

WB Yeats

Noble-prize-winning poet WB Yeats is County Sligo’s most famous son. The poet was inspired by much of the landscape and people of the county, and his final resting place, the graveyard at Drumcliffe Church ‘under bare Benbulben’s head’, is one of the most visited locations in Sligo. Visit the Yeats Society, The Model Arts Centre, or see Yeats theatre produced by Blue Raincoat Theatre Company each summer during the Tread Softly Festival.

Drumcliffe – Yeats’ Grave

“Under bare Benbulben’s head”, along the N15, this village is best known as the final resting place of the great poet WB Yeats. Drumcliffe is home to a church, graveyard and bustling coffee shop, as well as Yeats Tavern restaurant run by the Davis family. Yeats was one of the foremost figures of Irish literature during the 20th century, and much of his work was inspired by County Sligo.

Landscape

Sligo is home to Ireland’s only table top mountain; the mighty Benbulben welcomes you to the County on approach from Dublin. To the left, you will also see Knocknarea in Strandhill with Queen Maeve’s Cairn atop. A new walking trail brings you up the mountain, with memorable views panning across Sligo bay. The county is also rich in megalithic sites connected to Irish myth and legend including Carrowmore Tombs which pre-dates the Egyptian pyramids. See www.sligowalks.ie 

Food

Sligo is a bustling county that welcomes visitors here to surf, adventure and enjoy warm hospitality. From seaside cafes to restaurants along the river, expect to find a diverse and creative selection of food offerings. Organic, local, seafood, vegan are some of the great options available. See www.sligofoodtrail.ie for more information

Culture & Music

Traditional Irish music is rooted in County Sligo, with some of the greatest fiddle players born here. Weekly trad sessions in local pubs run all year round, as well as larger scale concerts and performances at The Model Arts Centre, Hawk’s Well Theatre, Caride Sligo Arts Festival and Sligo Jazz and Sligo Live Festivals. See www.sligotourism.ie