Sligo Tourist Information

County Sligo is situated on the Atlantic coast in theat the top of Knocknarea mountain, Sligo town is
north west of Ireland, it is renowned for its unspoiltnow a lively cosmopolitan town with continental style
scenic landscapes with approximately 110 miles ofbistros along the Garavogue River which flows
coastline.through the town.
Sligo Town, capital of the Northwest region, isEasy accessibility via airport, road and rail make Sligo
situated on the Garavogue River between Lough Gillan attractive location for industry, from cutting edge
and the Atlantic coast. It is a major growth centreIT to Pharmaceutecal Companies. The high cabilbre of
and the largest town in the North West with agraduate from the local Institute of Technology and
population of over 20,000 people, swelling to aexcellent training institutions playing no small part in
daytime population of 42,000. Sligo is a thrivingSligo's success as the commercial capital of the North
tourist, commercial, administrative and educationalWest.
regional centre. Its name literally translates as 'theSligo plays host to a number of cultural events
place of shells' - this allegedly derives from the factthroughout the year including Sligo Arts Festival,
that the inhabitants of yore had a staple diet ofCounty Fleadh, International Choral Festival, Guitar
shellfish and remains of those shells are to be foundFestival and numerous contemporary musical festivals
buried in the grounds thereabout.throughout the year.
Sligo is serviced by a number of national primaryKeeping alive Sligo's literary tradition are the Hawks
routes including the N17 to Galway (85 miles) and N4Well Theatre, The Blue Raincoat Theatre, the Model
to Dublin (135 miles).Arts and Niland Gallery and the Yeats Theatre.
Sligo has a diverse landscape from majesticMany of the local pubs specialise in live music from
mountains such as Benbulben, Knocknarea and theTrad Sessions to Jazz, Rock and Open Mic sessions.
Ox Mountains to sandy beaches internationallyFor the sporting enthusiast there is a wide array of
renowned for their fantastic surf, to lush woodlandactivity to choose from. Sligo Sports Complex offers
and glistening lakes. It's most famous landmark is thevarious pitches, indoor basketball courts, badminton,
flat topped Benbulben Mountain which dominates thetennis, indoor soccer, a gymnasium and weights
skyline across the north of Sligo, watching over theroom, and a superb swimming pool. To experience
traveller as they make their way north along thethe great outdoors there are walking, hiking,
coastline through the famous seaside town ofhorseriding mountaineering and cycling clubs. Sligo has
Mullaghmore, exiting Sligo into the hills of Donegal.a number of championship golf courses along with
Sligo, land of heart's desire, as written by the poetnumerous gaelic football, soccer and rugby clubs.
WB Yeats, who yearned for the serenity and peaceTaking advantage of its vast coastline and inland
of Lough Gill and its Isle of Innisfree and thewaterways one can waterski, surf, sail, scuba-dive,
enchanting Slish Wood close to Dooney where thetake part in sea and fresh water fishing, canoe or
fiddler of yore entertained the merry Sligo is host totake up Olympic style rowing.
the internationally acclaimed Yeats Summer andFor those not wanting to get their feet wet you
Winter schools. The Regional Arts Centre in Sligomight want to take to the skies. Sligo Airport is
houses a collection of his brother, Jack B Yeatshome to one of Ireland's most active flying clubs with
paintings.courses running throughout the year there is also an
Steeped in history from Europe's oldest Stone Ageopportunity to take up skydiving and get a birds eye
cemeteries at Carrowmore to Queen Maeve's graveview of the breathtaking scenery that is Sligo.