---
title: "Top 10 Things To Do in Sligo, Ireland | Wimup"
description: "Sligo in one page: Carrowmore's passage tombs, the climb up Knocknarea, Benbulben, Yeats's grave at Drumcliff, surf and seaweed baths at Strandhill, and the best pubs for a session."
url: https://wimup.com/city/sligo
type: City guide
updated: 2026-10-22
publisher: Wimup (https://wimup.com)
---

# Top 10 Things To Do in Sligo

Sligo, Ireland · Europe · By Wimup Editorial, 11 min read

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.

## Quick answer

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.

## Quick facts

- **Best months:** May · Jun · Jul · Sep
- **Ideal length:** 3 days
- **Budget per day:** €110–190
- **Language:** English, Irish
- **Getting around:** Car for the sights; on foot in town
- **Tourism board:** [Official site](https://sligo.ie/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## The 10 best things to do in Sligo

### 1. Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery

Neolithic site · Carrowmore, Co. Sligo

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.

- **Time:** 1.5 hrs
- **Cost:** Adult €5
- **Best at:** Morning
- **Tip:** Open mid-March to early November

Links: [Website](https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/carrowmore-megalithic-cemetery/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 2. Knocknarea and Queen Maeve's Cairn

Hike · Knocknarea, Strandhill, Co. Sligo

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.

- **Time:** 2 hrs
- **Cost:** Free
- **Best at:** Clear evening
- **Tip:** Stay on the path; do not take stones from the cairn

Links: [Website](https://www.discoverireland.ie/sligo/knocknarea-walking-trail?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 3. Benbulben Forest Walk

Hike · Gortarowey, Drumcliff, Co. Sligo

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.

- **Time:** 1.5 hrs
- **Cost:** Free
- **Best at:** Afternoon
- **Tip:** Park at the Gortarowey car park

Links: [Website](https://www.discoverireland.ie/sligo/ben-bulben-loop?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 4. Sligo Abbey

Medieval friary · Abbey Street, Sligo

A Dominican friary founded in 1253, burned and rebuilt, with a three-sided cloister and the only carved 15th-century high altar left in an Irish monastic church.

- **Time:** 1 hr
- **Cost:** Adult €5
- **Best at:** Late morning
- **Tip:** Guided tours run in season

Links: [Website](https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/sligo-abbey/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 5. Drumcliff Churchyard and Yeats's Grave

Churchyard · Drumcliff, Co. Sligo

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.

- **Time:** 45 min
- **Cost:** Free
- **Best at:** Morning
- **Tip:** Read the cross panels: Adam and Eve, Daniel

Links: [Website](https://sligo.ie/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 6. Strandhill

Surf village · Strandhill, Co. Sligo

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.

- **Time:** Half day
- **Cost:** Lessons from schools
- **Best at:** Low wind
- **Tip:** Book a lesson; never swim off the main beach

Links: [Website](https://gostrandhill.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 7. Lissadell House

Country house · Ballinfull, Co. Sligo

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.

- **Time:** 2 hrs
- **Cost:** Adult €16
- **Best at:** Summer
- **Tip:** Check open dates before driving out

Links: [Website](https://lissadellhouse.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 8. The Model

Gallery · The Mall, Sligo

The arts centre that holds the Niland Collection, one of Ireland's best runs of Jack B. Yeats paintings, alongside changing contemporary shows. A short walk from the bridge.

- **Time:** 1.5 hrs
- **Cost:** Check site
- **Best at:** Thursday evening
- **Tip:** Open late on Thursdays

Links: [Website](https://www.themodel.ie/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 9. Glencar Waterfall

Waterfall · Glencar, Co. Leitrim

A 15 m fall in woodland above Glencar Lake, the setting Yeats drew on for "The Stolen Child". A short path from the car park; it is at its best after rain.

- **Time:** 45 min
- **Cost:** Free
- **Best at:** After rain
- **Tip:** Pair it with the Benbulben drive

Links: [Website](https://www.discoverireland.ie/leitrim/glencar-waterfall?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

### 10. Lough Gill and Parke's Castle

Lake and castle · Fivemile Bourne, Co. Leitrim

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.

- **Time:** Half day
- **Cost:** Adult €5 castle
- **Best at:** Summer
- **Tip:** The boat is a separate fare

Links: [Website](https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/parkes-castle/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Best ancient sites in Sligo

Tombs and holy places beyond Carrowmore, all free and open.

1. **Carrowkeel** (Passage tombs · Free · Castlebaldwin): Passage tombs on a limestone ridge in the Bricklieve Mountains, free and unstaffed. [Website](https://www.discoverireland.ie/sligo/carrowkeel-megalithic-site?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **Creevykeel Court Tomb** (Court tomb · Free · Cliffoney): One of the best-preserved court tombs in Ireland, beside the N15.
3. **Deerpark Court Tomb** (Court tomb · Free · Deerpark): A Neolithic court cairn on a forested ridge above Lough Gill. [Website](https://coillte.ie/site/deerpark/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
4. **Tobernalt Holy Well** (Holy well · Free · Carraroe): A spring by Lough Gill, a Penal-era Mass site and pilgrimage on Garland Sunday.

## Best beaches in Sligo

Four strands, from a harbour beach to five kilometres of dunes.

1. **Rosses Point** (Beach · Free · Rosses Point): Two beaches at the mouth of Sligo Harbour, watched by the 1821 Metal Man.
2. **Streedagh Strand** (Beach · Free · Grange): A long, wild strand where three Spanish Armada ships wrecked in 1588.
3. **Mullaghmore** (Beach · Free · Mullaghmore): A harbour village beach under Classiebawn Castle, home to a famous big-wave break.
4. **Enniscrone** (Beach · Free · Enniscrone): Almost five kilometres of Blue Flag sand backed by dunes, with Kilcullen's 1912 baths. [Website](https://www.discoverireland.ie/sligo/enniscrone-beach?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Best walks in Sligo

Three marked routes past dunes, cliffs and the mountain's flank.

1. **Killaspugbrone Loop** (Loop · 7 km · Strandhill): A 7 km dune and shore loop from Strandhill to an early church ruin. [Website](https://www.discoverireland.ie/sligo/killaspugbrone-loop?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **Gleniff Horseshoe** (Loop · 10 km · Gleniff): A 10 km valley loop under cliffs and Diarmuid and Gráinne's cave; drive or walk.
3. **Deerpark Court Tomb Trail** (Loop · 3.5 km · Deerpark): A short forest climb to the tomb, with Lough Gill below. [Website](https://coillte.ie/site/deerpark/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Best restaurants in Sligo

Rockwood Parade does the riverside dinners; Strandhill does breakfast.

1. **Eala Bhán** (Irish · €€€ · Rockwood Parade): Local lamb and seafood by the river, the county's overall award winner in 2026.
2. **Hooked** (Irish · €€ · Rockwood Parade): All-day contemporary Irish from the Eala Bhán team, a few doors along.
3. **Knox** (Café · € · O'Connell Street): An all-day café on the main street for breakfast and lunch.
4. **Coach Lane** (Seafood · €€€ · Lord Edward Street): Seafood and steaks above Donaghy's Bar, open since 1994.
5. **Bistro Bianconi** (Italian · €€ · Tobergal Lane): Family-run Italian since 1993, with wood-fired pizza; book ahead.
6. **Shells Café** (Café · € · Strandhill): A seafront café with its own bakes, breakfast into the afternoon.

## Best pubs in Sligo

The town's music runs most nights; check the board behind the bar.

1. **Hargadons** (Historic pub · O'Connell Street): An 1864 shop pub of snugs, marble counters and old invoices.
2. **Thomas Connolly** (Historic pub · Markievicz Road): Licensed in 1861, the town's oldest traditional pub, with live music.
3. **Shoot the Crows** (Trad music · Town centre): Mismatched furniture and the longest-running trad session in town.
4. **McLynn's** (Trad music · Old Market Street): A family pub since 1889, with sessions open to passing musicians.
5. **The Strand Bar** (Pub · Music · Strandhill): Strandhill's pub since 1913, for a pint after the surf.

## Best arts and culture in Sligo

The poet's papers, the society that keeps him, and a working theatre.

1. **Sligo County Museum** (Museum · Free · Stephen Street): Free, with a Yeats room of letters, photographs and a copy of his Nobel medal. [Website](https://sligolibrary.ie/museum/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **Yeats Memorial Building** (Society · Gallery · Hyde Bridge): An 1899 bank by Hyde Bridge, now home to the Yeats Society. [Website](https://yeatssociety.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
3. **Hawk's Well Theatre** (Theatre · Temple Street): Opened in 1982 as rural Ireland's first purpose-built theatre. [Website](https://www.hawkswell.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Best day trips in Sligo

An hour or so by car, in three directions.

1. **Lough Key Forest Park** (Park · Parking fee · Boyle): Lakeside woods near Boyle with a treetop walkway; pay to park. [Website](https://loughkey.ie/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
2. **Donegal Castle** (Castle · Adult €5 · Donegal): A restored O'Donnell tower house in Donegal town, open all year. [Website](https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/donegal-castle/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
3. **Céide Fields** (Neolithic site · Adult €5 · Ballycastle): Neolithic field walls under the bog on the north Mayo cliffs. [Website](https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/ceide-fields/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
4. **Arigna Mining Experience** (Mine tour · Arigna): A former coal mine, toured underground with ex-miners as guides. [Website](https://arignaminingexperience.ie/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)

## Festivals & annual events in Sligo (2026)

- **Sligo St Patrick's Festival** (Mar): Five days of music and events, with the parade through town at noon on the 17th.
- **Sligo Feis Ceoil** (Apr): A long-running competition for young traditional and classical musicians.
- **Cairde Sligo Arts Festival** (Jul): A week of music, theatre and street performance across the town.
- **South Sligo Summer School** (Jul): Trad music and dance classes, concerts and céilís in Tubbercurry.
- **Sligo Jazz** (Jul): Workshops, jam sessions and evening concerts at the Hawk's Well.
- **Yeats International Summer School** (Jul): Lectures, readings and tours run by the Yeats Society since 1960.
- **Garland Sunday at Tobernalt** (Jul): A day of devotions at the holy well by Lough Gill.
- **Sligo Live** (Oct): Two weeks of folk, roots, rock and comedy into early November.

## Must-try dishes in Sligo, Ireland

- **Lissadell oysters**: Grown in Sligo Bay and served raw with lemon or brown bread.
- **Lissadell mussels**: Steamed in garlic, cream or cider; often cooked on the shore.
- **Mullaghmore lobster**: Landed at the harbour and served simply, with butter.
- **Seafood chowder**: A creamy fish and potato soup, on almost every pub menu.
- **Irish lamb**: Roast or in a stew; Sligo hill lamb is a menu name worth ordering.
- **Brown soda bread**: Wholemeal, buttermilk and soda, served warm with the chowder.
- **Carrageen moss pudding**: A set milk pudding thickened with seaweed from the shore.
- **Knocknarea honey**: A local honey named on the Sligo Food Trail.

## Sligo transport & airports

- **Ireland West Airport Knock** (NOC): The nearest airport with scheduled flights, about 50 km south. Expressway route 64 runs to Sligo bus station; a car takes about 45 minutes. [Website](https://www.irelandwestairport.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- **Trains** (Irish Rail): Sligo station is the end of the line from Dublin Connolly, just under three hours via Mullingar, Longford and Carrick-on-Shannon. [Website](https://www.irishrail.ie/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- **Intercity buses** (Expressway): Route 23 runs to Dublin via Dublin Airport; route 64 links Galway and Derry. The bus station is next to the train station. [Website](https://buseireann.ie/routes-and-timetables/23?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- **Car** (Drive): 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.

## Sligo at a glance

- **Country:** Ireland
- **Region:** County Sligo, Connacht
- **Population:** 20,608 (town, Census 2022)
- **Founded:** Castle 1245; Dominican friary 1253
- **Nickname:** Yeats Country
- **Language:** English, Irish
- **Currency:** Euro (€)
- **Time zone:** GMT (UTC+0), IST (UTC+1) in summer
- **Calling code:** +353 71
- **Airports:** Ireland West Knock (NOC), Dublin (DUB)
- **Power:** 230V, type G
- **Emergency:** 112 or 999

## Interesting facts

- Yeats died in France in January 1939; his remains were brought to Drumcliff in 1948.
- Three Spanish Armada ships wrecked at Streedagh in September 1588; divers found them in 1985.
- The Metal Man at Rosses Point has pointed ships into Sligo Harbour since 1821.
- The Hawk's Well, opened in 1982, was the first purpose-built theatre in rural Ireland.
- Sligo has its own airport at Strandhill, but no scheduled flights since July 2011.

## Sligo travel FAQ

### How many days do you need in Sligo?

Three. One for the town (the abbey, The Model, the pubs), one for Carrowmore, Knocknarea and Strandhill, and one for the drive north to Drumcliff, Benbulben, Lissadell and Glencar. Add a fourth for Mullaghmore or Lough Gill.

### How do you get to Sligo from Dublin?

Take the train from Dublin Connolly, just under three hours to the end of the line. Expressway route 23 runs from Busáras and Dublin Airport. By car it is about 210 km on the N4.

### Do you need a car in Sligo?

Yes, for the sights. The town is small and easy on foot, but Carrowmore, Knocknarea, Benbulben, Lissadell and Glencar sit out of town with few or no buses. Book a hire car with the flight.

### Where is W.B. Yeats buried?

In Drumcliff churchyard, 8 km north of Sligo under Benbulben. His headstone carries the epitaph he wrote himself: "Cast a cold eye on life, on death. Horseman, pass by."

### Can you swim at Strandhill?

No. The main beach has strong currents and is for surfing and walking, not swimming. Take a lesson with an ISA-approved school instead, then warm up in a seaweed bath on the seafront.

## Nearby guides

- [Dublin](https://wimup.com/city/dublin.md): Ireland · 10 picks
- [Kilkenny](https://wimup.com/city/kilkenny.md): Ireland · 10 picks
- [Cork](https://wimup.com/city/cork.md): Ireland · 10 picks
- [All of Europe →](https://wimup.com/europe): 136 cities

Part of the [Ireland guide](https://wimup.com/country/ireland.md) · [Europe](https://wimup.com/europe.md)

## Sources

- [Sligo tourism board](https://sligo.ie/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery (official site)](https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/carrowmore-megalithic-cemetery/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Knocknarea and Queen Maeve's Cairn (official site)](https://www.discoverireland.ie/sligo/knocknarea-walking-trail?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Benbulben Forest Walk (official site)](https://www.discoverireland.ie/sligo/ben-bulben-loop?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Sligo Abbey (official site)](https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/sligo-abbey/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Strandhill (official site)](https://gostrandhill.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Lissadell House (official site)](https://lissadellhouse.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [The Model (official site)](https://www.themodel.ie/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Glencar Waterfall (official site)](https://www.discoverireland.ie/leitrim/glencar-waterfall?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Lough Gill and Parke's Castle (official site)](https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/parkes-castle/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Carrowkeel (official site)](https://www.discoverireland.ie/sligo/carrowkeel-megalithic-site?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Deerpark Court Tomb (official site)](https://coillte.ie/site/deerpark/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Enniscrone (official site)](https://www.discoverireland.ie/sligo/enniscrone-beach?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Killaspugbrone Loop (official site)](https://www.discoverireland.ie/sligo/killaspugbrone-loop?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Sligo County Museum (official site)](https://sligolibrary.ie/museum/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Yeats Memorial Building (official site)](https://yeatssociety.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Hawk's Well Theatre (official site)](https://www.hawkswell.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Lough Key Forest Park (official site)](https://loughkey.ie/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Donegal Castle (official site)](https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/donegal-castle/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Céide Fields (official site)](https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/ceide-fields/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Arigna Mining Experience (official site)](https://arignaminingexperience.ie/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Ireland West Airport Knock (official site)](https://www.irelandwestairport.com/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Trains (official site)](https://www.irishrail.ie/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- [Intercity buses (official site)](https://buseireann.ie/routes-and-timetables/23?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral)
- Rankings are Wimup editorial picks. Prices, durations and budgets are editorial estimates, not live quotes; check the official site before you go.