INFO
Sligo City is the commercial centre of the north-western region of Ireland. Sligo and its environs has a population of 25,000 and is set in the heart of Yeat's Country, renowned in verse by the poet W.B. Yeats and his famous artist brother, Jack B. Yeats. Geographically, County Sligo nestles in the picturesque north west of Ireland with magnificent scenery of mountains, rivers, lakes and a coastline of 110 miles fronting the Atlantic ocean.
County Sligo's beautiful scenery was an inspiration for Yeats, who is buried at Drumcliffe Churchyard, under loaf-shaped Benbulben Mountain. so while in Sligo why not visit Yeat's grave and Interpretive Centre at Drumcliff, Queen Maeve's cairn on the summit of local Knocknarea Mountain or the megalithic tombs at Carrowmore and Carrowkeel. Indeed, Sligo has the largest collection of archaeological sites in the country and a rich tradition in literature, culture, arts and music.
Sligo also boasts excellent blue flag beaches, Sligo’s scenic coast has some excellent surfing beaches, including Strandhill, Rosses Point and Enniscrone, many golf courses including Rosses Point, Strandhill and Enniscrone links courses, and many other outdoor pursuits including fishing, water sports and horse-riding. The lakes of Sligo, with their still waters and wooded islands, are truly spectacular, and form a striking contrast to the county's rugged uplands. The imposing Neolithic cairn on the summit of Knocknarae, known locally as Queen Maeve's grave, is a striking landmark. At Carrowmore, you'll find the largest Megalithic cemetery in Ireland.
MAGICAL HISTORY TOUR
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CHILDHOOD HOME |
COUNTY
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Sligo Mullaghmore beach |
Sligo Carney house |
Sligo Mullaghmore harbour. |
Sligo Templeboy water pump. |
Area: 1797 km2
Population: 55821 inhabitants (CSO: Exchange Statistical Office )
Principal city: Sligo (18000 inhabitants). 2nd provincial town of Connaught
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Sligo is situated on Sligo Bay and the Garvogue River, 179 km (111 mi) northwest of Dublin, in farming country. In 807 the Danes attacked Sligo. In 1242 Maurice Fitzgerald, earl of Kildare, built his castle in the town, and in 1252 he founded Sligo Abbey for Dominicans. The castle is no longer standing, and only the ruins of the abbey remain. King James I granted Sligo permission to hold annual fairs, and in 1613 it was incorporated as a borough. It was disfranchised in 1840. Population (1996) 19,000. Sligo (pop. 18,000), one of the largest towns in the North-west. In the 9th century a settlement grew around the ford here, which was regarded as the gateway between the provinces of Connacht and Ulster. When the Normans came at the end of the 12th century, they developed the town. Maurice Fitzgerald, an Anglo Norman, built a castle to guard the crossing in 1245. This castle played an important role in the Norman/Irish conflict. Sligo Town Hall now stands on the site. In 1641 the town was taken by Sir Frederick Hamilton, and in 1645 it fell to Cromwellian forces. County Sligo has many historic and artistic connections. In early Christian times St Patrick and St Fechin were involved with the area. The county is noted for its association with the Yeats family. Poet and playwright William Butler Yeats is the most famous member of the family. His brother Jack is one of Ireland’s best known painters, and their father John was also a well respected artist. Some of their work is in Sligo’s art gallery. |
PHOTO'S
Images taken from www.irishphotoshop.com
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Sligo Ballymote Church. |
Sligo, Carney. |
Sligo Hazelwood. |
Sligo Tobercurry. |
Sligo town abbey street. |
USEFUL LINKS
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Sligo town doors. |
Sligo Coolaney Celtic cross. |
Sligo Drumore west. |
Sligo town riverside |
Sligo town bay. |
EDUCATION
Sligo has one of the country's highest levels of participation in third level education. Of the young people of school leaving age in County Sligo in 1996, 52.5% go on to third level education. This is the fourth highest nationally.
Primary level: There are 78 national schools in the county with a total of 8,000 pupils.
Second level: There are 16 second level schools in County Sligo, of which 9 are secondary and 7 are vocational schools. There are 4,500 students enrolled in the secondary schools and 1,000 in the vocational schools.
Third level: The county has a Institute of Technology in Sligo town, which runs courses in the following subjects:
SOURCE CREDIT
