Sligo Castles

Ballymote Castle Sligo

Ballymote Castle is a large rectangular keepless castle, built around 1300. It is located in the townland of Carrownanty on the outskirts of Ballymote in south County Sligo, Ireland. This area was known historically as Átha Cliath an Chorainn, which roughly translates as The Ford of the Hurdles of Corran. It is the last of the Norman castles in Connacht. It was probably built in order to protect the newly won possessions of Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster (also known as the Red Earl).

Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery

Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is the largest Megalithic Cemetery in Ireland, and amongst the most important in Europe. Archaeologists have dated the tombs from 4840-4370 BC. It appears that the tombs were reused at a later date.

Drumcliff Church & Visitors Centre

Drumcliff Church & Visitors Centre, a important monastery was founded here by St Columcille in 574 . One of the most important battles of Irish history was fought in the middle of the 6th Century on the banks of the Drumcliffe river. The is an audio visual presentation about this in the church. Drumcliffe is best known as the final resting place of the poet William Butler Yeats. His grave can be visited in the Church graveyard.

Sligo Abbey - Sligo Town

Known locally as the Abbey, this Dominican Friary was founded in the mid-13th century by Maurice FitzGerald. The site contains a great wealth of carvings dated from the 15th century and is well worth a visit.

Temple House Ballymote, Co Sligo

Temple House, in Sligo, is a classical Georgian mansion set in a private estate of over 1,000 acres, overlooking a 13th century lakeside castle of the Knights Templar. The Perceval family home since 1665, the present manor was redesigned in 1864 and enjoys the authentic and unpretentious country house atmosphere.

Moygara Castle

Moygara Castle a 16th Century Castle overlooking Lough Gara that was once the principal home of the O’Gara clan. After the Anglo-Norman invasion the O’Gara’s were pushed out of their territory (i.e. centre of territory was the country north of Castlemore and Ballaghaderreen) into Coolavin. In 1206, the O’Gara buily Moygara Castle on the side of Mullaghtee. It was a castellated building 185 feet square, with battlemented towers, four of which can still be traced.

Drumanone Portal Tomb Carrowkeel Tomb