walking tours sligo

Historic Walking Tour of Sligo Town

• Walk Category: Urban Walks
• Grade of Walk: Easy
• Walking Terrain: Pavement
• Waymarking: Gold Arrows (underfoot)
• Trailhead: N/A
• Length: 4.5km
• Ascent: N/A
• Time: 1.5 hours
• Suggested Gear: Trainers
• Longitude: 54.272116108
• Latitude: -8.4755659103

The Trail Map:- OSI Map Series 25

The largest town in Ireland’s North West, Sligo is a welcoming place with rich history evident in landmarks such as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the Courthouse, which served as a carpenters’ shop during the cholera epidemic, and Sligo Abbey, the towns only surviving medieval building (built circa 1252). A bronze statue of William Butler Yeats stands watch on Hyde Bridge, while City Hall, with its Renaissance-style architecture, dates back to the 1860s.

The Route The walking tour of Sligo is approximately 4.5km in length, is looped in nature, and provides access to the city’s most significant sites. The route includes main streets, quite alleys, pedestrian walks and riverside amenity areas, giving the visitor a perfect taste of Sligo. To learn more about the route and Sligo’s landmarks, pick up a copy of ‘A Signposted Walking Tour of Sligo City’ from the Tourist Office located on O’Connell Street.

Did you know? The cholera epidemic in 1832 caused more deaths in Sligo than anywhere else in Ireland. People were left dead in the streets and whole families were wiped out. Bram Stoker (the author of Dracula) had his macabre imagination fired by his mother, a Sligo woman, who told stories of coffin makers knocking on doors in the night looking for corpses and of victims being buried alive.

Directions - How to get to the Trailhead.

3 thoughts on “ historic walking tour of sligo town ”, [email protected].

Just to let youse know, Sligo Town is NOT the largest town or largest settlement in the North-West. The City of Derry is the largest settlement in the entire North-West of Ireland, a city with a population of around 100,000 people. Letterkenny is now the second-largest settlement by population in the entire North-West. Just thought I’d point this out.

Thanks for the insight Sean.

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It’s the largest in the Republic of Ireland. Derry is in the UK.

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Welcome to Seatrails tours in beautiful, inspiring Co. Sligo!

We offer guided walking and hiking tours in Co. Sligo, in the northwest of Ireland along the Wild Atlantic Way which focus on Archaeology, Geology, Local History and the Natural Environment. Your head guide,  Auriel Robinson, is an expert Archaeologist who will take you on a voyage of discovery, one you will never forget in a photographer’s paradise!  You can choose a refreshing coastal walk,  an adventurous mountain hike offering you spectacular views or an interesting mythology trail .

On her tours, Auriel shares her knowledge with you. She’ll introduce you to Archaeology, Irish folklore, geology and local flora on her tours. She will take you to places far off the beaten track! If you are tracing your roots, she can help you with that too and she will introduce you to the arts, cultural and food scene around the County and in vibrant Sligo Town.

Auriel’s tours and experiences are ideal for all age groups and abilities, independent visitors, students and families looking for a cultural experience or unique adventure. If you are looking for something specific and would like to spend a few days in Sligo, Auriel can custom design your stay filled with interesting places to see and hike with her as your private guide. Have a look at the options available here and send your query to Auriel if any of the above interests you!

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Sligo Walking Tours - All You MUST Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Sligo Walking Tours

Sligo Walking Tours offers an engaging and informative way to explore the captivating beauty, rich history, and cultural heritage of Sligo Town. Led by expert guides, these walking tours provide a unique and immersive experience, allowing participants to discover the heart and soul of this charming place.

Your tour is led by knowledgeable guides who are passionate about Sligo’s heritage and well-versed in its history. They provide valuable insights, fascinating stories, and little-known facts, making each tour both educational and entertaining.

To check their Facebook Page click here and for other Tour options in the North West click here .

Local Accommodation Options for Your Perfect Getaway!:

Are you looking for local holiday accommodation options in and around County Sligo?

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However, by using this link, you are supporting us as we may receive a small commission. Your support means the world to us! Thank you for choosing Inish View and happy travels!

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Accomodation, Food and Drink Close By

The Great Northern Hotel Golf & Leisure Centre – Bundoran

The Allingham Arms Hotel – Bundoran

The Sandhouse Hotel & Marine Therapies – Rossnowlagh

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Get in touch with Inishview

• [email protected]
• +353860657372 ( For Contacting Inishview – not for individual activities and events)
• 16 The Rectory, Fahan, Inishowen, Co Donegal

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— the avada collection —, creating magical moments in sligo & beyond with northwest adventure tours.

Check out our upcoming scheduled tours or browse our activities and contact us for a date and time that suits you.

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Adventure Sligo Network

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MEET OUR TEAM

Join the team at Northwest Adventure Tours as we explore the wilds of Sligo and beyond. Our expert guides will take you on epic adventures from bucket list hikes on our iconic Sligo peaks to the picturesque winding country roads by bike, walk on water with our stand up paddle tours along tranquil water ways and become a mermaid with our freediving courses in the Atlantic Ocean.

VISIT SLIGO & THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY

Whether you want a guided SUP trip from Sligo Town, a hiking tour on Benbulben, a cycle or an underwater experience then put yourself in the hands of our dynamic adventure team. We are always crafting up new ways to enhance your adventure experience. Your bucket lists start here. Dawn paddles, Moonlit night Hikes and SUP to Sip tours, plan your unique private adventure tour or jump on board one of our regular missions.

Stand where he stood

‘Stand where he stood’ is central to our Yeats tour experience for our global visitors. We aim to immerse our guests in the real and authentic story of Yeats; to see what Yeats saw and to hear the Nobel prize-winner’s poetry spoken in the place it was imagined.

Yeats Society Sligo Tour Options

Our tours stand out because of the personal touch of our guides who are knowledgeable and able to connect with visitors. We combine poetry, drama, history and the landscape of Sligo in an accessible and meaningful way so that visitors, those new to Yeats, or lifelong enthusiasts, can share the story of Yeats, his family and friends and be inspired by what inspired him. Above all, we make the connection between Yeats and Sligo real and meaningful.

Please note that all tours must be booked in advance.

Individual tours can include the Yeats exhibition, a walking tour of Sligo town and/or driving tour of county Sligo, visiting locations closely associated with Yeats and his family.

Advance booking is required. Please contact us to discuss your requirements:

Email us at info@yeatssociety.com

Telephone us on +353 7191 42693

Use our Contact Form

We offer a one hour long tour in the Yeats Exhibition Room for up 35 people.

One of our experienced tour guides will give a talk (30-40 minutes) interspersed with poetry readings. The talk concentrates on telling the story of the Yeats family and the influence Sligo made on all their lives.

Following this, the group has the chance to look at the exhibition, ask questions, explore our shop or read some poetry at Lily Yeats’ original davenport desk.

If your group wishes to add a tour of the Sligo landscape, please just ask and we will be happy to help. Tours vary in length from two-four hours.

Pricing €6 per head + €2 per head for tea/coffee + €5 per head for live music by our local harpist or fiddle-player. Each visitor receives a brochure about WB Yeats, included in the price.

A minimum of 12 is required for a musician to attend.

Email us at info@yeatssociety.com

We regularly welcome tour operators bringing visitors from China, Russia, Australia, Canada, US, UK, and Europe.

We cater for groups from six to 35 and are happy to work with interpreters. We are always happy to open outside normal hours; early (from 9am) or late (up to 7pm) or on Sundays to facilitate groups.

We work with large operators who bring several groups throughout the year and smaller operators who may have one or two tours visiting Ireland. We aim to give everyone the same level of personal attention.

Email us at info@yeatssociety.com

We welcome groups of students from all over the world and from a variety of different disciplines including culture, literature, Irish studies, tourism, management, geography and history.

We are happy to consult with you to organise a tour that brings emphasis for your students, whatever their field of study, or if they are visiting Ireland on a broad cultural tour. We can cater for groups from six to 35 and can include student participation in reading or reciting poetry if desired.

We can arrange tours from two hours to three days in duration.

Email us at info@yeatssociety.com

We can arrange a number of unique tour options for your group throughout County Sligo. Options include:

Knocknarea tour

Our guide can take a group of six to 12 people up Knocknarea mountain, read poetry and tell the story of Yeats and Sligo from one of the most inspirational places in the country. The tour is three hours in duration; allowing one hour to ascend and one hour to descend.

Poetry tour

Concentrates on spoken Yeats poetry and interpretation of some of his works Poetry and music tour: concentrates on spoken Yeats poetry and interpretation of some of his best-known works.

Sligo town walking tour

Includes a tour of the exhibition and a 45-minute walking tour of the places in Sligo town associated with the Yeats family.

Joyce and Yeats performance

Great writers WB Yeats and James Joyce were friends and this performance charts that friendship and examines some of their work – poetry and songs.

James Joyce Performance

Presented by Paul Murray, whose great aunt, May Murray was James Joyce’s mother. In rhyme, song and spoken word, he traces Joyce’s life in Dublin, Trieste and Zurich and interprets the story of Ulysses.

Email us at info@yeatssociety.com

What areas do the tours cover?

We offer a Yeats Town Tour, which tells the story of Sligo through the eyes of the Yeats family. We can arrange tours in the Yeats landscape for 1, 3 or 5 hours, either by car or bus.

How long are the tours?

We can arrange tours in the Yeats landscape for 1, 3 or 5 hours, either by car or bus. Two-day tours can also be arranged.

How many people can your tours accommodate?

We can cater for up to 40 people and are happy to create bespoke tours for groups if required.

How do I book a tour?

All tour enquiries can be made via email: info@yeatssociety.com

Fees are quoted for each individual tour.

Read about our visitors’ experiences

I travelled from Australia especially to see Sligo and Yeats. It’s amazing, better than I imagined and you here at the Yeats Society have helped to make it such a special visit. Thank you.

Of all the time I have spent reading and studying Yeats and to think I’m now here in Sligo with you. I’m overwhelmed. Thanks so much.

More Tours & Experiences

All of our Tours & Experiences can tailored to individuals, small or large groups.

Poetry Afternoon Tea

Your choice of poetry, melt in the mouth sandwiches, fresh home-made sponge cake, apple tartlets, scones, served with a choice of teas or coffee.

The Library Experience

Book our beautiful cosy library for a brainstorm session, a confidential meeting, hosting interviews, practising a speech, a board meeting, online call, a workshop. Teas, coffee & a light, tasty lunch can be provided.

Getting Here

Yeats Exhibition

Hyde Bridge Gallery

Yeats in Sligo

Yeats Society Sligo

Tel: +353 7191 42693

Email: info@yeatssociety.com

Yeats Building Hyde Bridge Sligo, F91 DVY4 Ireland

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Yeats Building:

Hyde Bridge Gallery:

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Support us by becoming a Member of the Yeats Society Sligo, to help build it to a lively and busy cultural institution.

We are grateful for the support of donations to Yeats Society Sligo.

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Join us as we explore Sligo’s dark history on a walking tour revealing Sligo’s turbulent past with stories of war, execution, jail breaks, disease and other macabre tales.

On the tour discover Sligo’s connection to Bram Stoker, the Irish author, best known for his 1897 Gothic novel Dracula.

Hear how stories of the cholera epidemic inspired Stoker in his writing.

The tragic history of Sligo Abbey that inspired W.B. Yeats.

Grim tales of crime and punishment from the nineteenth century, in many of the locations where the events occurred.

Interactive Tour

The tour starts on Sligo’s Riverside Promenade beside the entrance to the John Fallon Footbridge and the Riverside Hotel/Ripples Cafe. Each guest on arrival receives a tour badge with the name of a person who was once connected to Sligo. Listen out as their stories will be told along the way. Whether there were good or bad in the times they lived, will be for you to decide. Judge Not, Lest ye be judged…

This tour is full of stories of real events involving crime, punishment and adult content featured on this tour, so it’s not for the faint of heart. Older children/teenagers (recommended over 10) accompanied by an adult are welcome but parental discretion is advised.

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