Spend the first day in town: Sligo Abbey, The Model's Jack B. Yeats collection and a session at Shoot the Crows or Hargadons. On day two, walk Carrowmore's tombs in the morning and climb Knocknarea to Queen Maeve's cairn, then end in Strandhill. Day three runs north: Drumcliff, Benbulben, Lissadell and Glencar Waterfall.
Sligo is a town of about 20,600 where the Garavogue River runs out of Lough Gill into the Atlantic. Within half an hour sit Neolithic tombs, the flat-topped wall of Benbulben, two surf beaches and the churchyard where Yeats is buried.
About 30 surviving tombs and stone circles around the great cairn of Listoghil, among the oldest in Ireland. The visitor centre reopened in April 2026 after a €1.5 million upgrade.
A 327 m limestone hill crowned by a huge unexcavated cairn, said to be the grave of Queen Maeve. The view runs from Benbulben to the Ox Mountains; allow about two hours return.
A 5.5 km forest loop under the north face of the flat-topped mountain, the best way to see it up close without a scramble. Gravel paths, little climbing, views to Donegal Bay.
Yeats is buried under Benbulben with his own epitaph: "Cast a cold eye on life, on death. Horseman, pass by." A carved high cross and the stump of a round tower stand beside the church.
The surf village under Knocknarea, ten minutes from town, with ISA-approved schools on the beach and seaweed baths on the seafront. Swimming is unsafe here: surf it, walk it, then soak.
The Greek Revival home of the Gore-Booths, built 1830 to 1835, where Constance Markievicz and Eva Gore-Booth grew up and Yeats stayed. Open for tours in summer only.
The lake of "The Lake Isle of Innisfree", with a restored 17th-century plantation house on its eastern shore. The Rose of Innisfree boat runs cruises with Yeats read aloud.
A spring by Lough Gill, a Penal-era Mass site and pilgrimage on Garland Sunday.
A 10 km valley loop under cliffs and Diarmuid and Gráinne's cave; drive or walk.
Five days of music and events, with the parade through town at noon on the 17th.
A long-running competition for young traditional and classical musicians.
A week of music, theatre and street performance across the town.
Trad music and dance classes, concerts and céilís in Tubbercurry.
Workshops, jam sessions and evening concerts at the Hawk's Well.
Lectures, readings and tours run by the Yeats Society since 1960.
A day of devotions at the holy well by Lough Gill.
Two weeks of folk, roots, rock and comedy into early November.
The nearest airport with scheduled flights, about 50 km south. Expressway route 64 runs to Sligo bus station; a car takes about 45 minutes.
Sligo station is the end of the line from Dublin Connolly, just under three hours via Mullingar, Longford and Carrick-on-Shannon.
Route 23 runs to Dublin via Dublin Airport; route 64 links Galway and Derry. The bus station is next to the train station.
The tombs, Benbulben, Lissadell and Glencar are out of town with thin or no buses. Hire a car; the town centre is easy on foot.
A creamy fish and potato soup, on almost every pub menu.
Grown in Sligo Bay and served raw with lemon or brown bread.
Steamed in garlic, cream or cider; often cooked on the shore.
Landed at the harbour and served simply, with butter.
Roast or in a stew; Sligo hill lamb is a menu name worth ordering.
Wholemeal, buttermilk and soda, served warm with the chowder.
A set milk pudding thickened with seaweed from the shore.
A local honey named on the Sligo Food Trail.
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