Page 236 - Guerin Media | The Wild Atlantic Way
P. 236
Sligo
Sligeach abounding in shells
Sligo bay is an ancient natural harbour, being known Sligo in 1253. Sligo is the only Norman founded Irish
to Greek, Phoenician and Roman traders as the town to have remained in Irish control throughout the
area is thought to be the location marked as the city of medieval period. It remained under native Irish control
Nagnata on Claudius Ptolemy’s co-ordinate map of the until the 16th century when control was transferred via
world from the 2nd Century A.D. Elizabethen conquest.
Surrounded by a mountainous skyline, from the town Over 30,000 people were caused to emigrate in The
you will see the ridges of Slieve Daeane and Killery Great Famine between 1847 and 1851 through the port
Mountain to the south-east, Cope’s and Keelogyboy of Sligo.On the Quays, overlooking the Garavogue River,
Mountains to the northeast, the highly distinctive you will find a cast bronze memorial to these emigrants.
Knocknarea to the west and Benbulbin to the north. This
ancient landscape is immortalised in the poetry of W.B. In the Model Niland Gallery you can enjoy a selection
Yeats who made Sligo his home, elevated to mythical of Irish artwork as well as a lively programme of
status. Contemporary Art exhibitions. Paintings of Jack B Yeats
Indeed there is magic to be felt here, a feeling of brother of W. B Yeats are on display here. An engaging
something powerful and mighty present within the calendar of events at the Niland will also keep you
landscape – man small in the shadows cast by Sligo’s entertained.
mighty mountains and their stories.
The area around Sligo town has one of the highest Sligo is also home to two full time Theatre companies,
densities of prehistoric archaeological sites in Ireland. It Blue Raincoat on Quay Street and Hawks Well
is the only place in which all classes of Irish megalithic Theatre. A host of international Theatre companies
monuments are to be found together. Knocknarae have performed in these venues serving to delight and
mountain, capped by the great cairn reputed to be the provoke in equal measure. There is no shortage of music
grave of Queen Maeve, dominates the skyline to the either in this busy cultural centre.
west of the town. Cairns Hill on the southern edge of the
town also has two very large stone cairns. Sligo is also a special destination this year as we celebrate
The river now known as the Garavogue (An Gharbhóg) the 100 anniversary of the birth of W.B. Yeats.The Yeats
meaning “little rough one” was originally called the Summer School takes place here every year attracting
Sligeach and runs through the town. It is listed as one of visitors from all over the world. W.B. Yeats died in
the seven “royal rivers” of Ireland in a manuscript dating France in 1939, on his grave, as per his request were the
from 9th century AD . words:
Call to the shop of Michael Quirke on Wine street to
lean more about the local folklore and stories of the Cast a cold eye
landscape – coming from a family of butchers, today On life, on death,
Michael uses the benches of his forefathers in his work Horseman, pass by!
as a sculptor. His work recalls the heroes of ancient
Ireland , for him they are alive and dynamic forces,
antidotes to our dull rationality to animate imagination
and spirit, both.
Five miles north of Sligo at Drumcliff was the site of Seanfhocail (Old Saying)
the medieval monastery attributed to Columba. By the
12th century this monastic settlement had spread to the Tabhair póg do chos an ghiorria
present setting of Sligo Town. It was not until 1245 when Kiss the hare’s paw.
Norman Knight Maurice Fitzgerald build the Castle of
Sligo that the town developed as a port . Together with (forget about the problem, its all over)
Irish king of Connacht Felim mac Cathal Crobderg
Ua Conchobair, Fitzgerald built a Dominican friary in
234
Sligeach abounding in shells
Sligo bay is an ancient natural harbour, being known Sligo in 1253. Sligo is the only Norman founded Irish
to Greek, Phoenician and Roman traders as the town to have remained in Irish control throughout the
area is thought to be the location marked as the city of medieval period. It remained under native Irish control
Nagnata on Claudius Ptolemy’s co-ordinate map of the until the 16th century when control was transferred via
world from the 2nd Century A.D. Elizabethen conquest.
Surrounded by a mountainous skyline, from the town Over 30,000 people were caused to emigrate in The
you will see the ridges of Slieve Daeane and Killery Great Famine between 1847 and 1851 through the port
Mountain to the south-east, Cope’s and Keelogyboy of Sligo.On the Quays, overlooking the Garavogue River,
Mountains to the northeast, the highly distinctive you will find a cast bronze memorial to these emigrants.
Knocknarea to the west and Benbulbin to the north. This
ancient landscape is immortalised in the poetry of W.B. In the Model Niland Gallery you can enjoy a selection
Yeats who made Sligo his home, elevated to mythical of Irish artwork as well as a lively programme of
status. Contemporary Art exhibitions. Paintings of Jack B Yeats
Indeed there is magic to be felt here, a feeling of brother of W. B Yeats are on display here. An engaging
something powerful and mighty present within the calendar of events at the Niland will also keep you
landscape – man small in the shadows cast by Sligo’s entertained.
mighty mountains and their stories.
The area around Sligo town has one of the highest Sligo is also home to two full time Theatre companies,
densities of prehistoric archaeological sites in Ireland. It Blue Raincoat on Quay Street and Hawks Well
is the only place in which all classes of Irish megalithic Theatre. A host of international Theatre companies
monuments are to be found together. Knocknarae have performed in these venues serving to delight and
mountain, capped by the great cairn reputed to be the provoke in equal measure. There is no shortage of music
grave of Queen Maeve, dominates the skyline to the either in this busy cultural centre.
west of the town. Cairns Hill on the southern edge of the
town also has two very large stone cairns. Sligo is also a special destination this year as we celebrate
The river now known as the Garavogue (An Gharbhóg) the 100 anniversary of the birth of W.B. Yeats.The Yeats
meaning “little rough one” was originally called the Summer School takes place here every year attracting
Sligeach and runs through the town. It is listed as one of visitors from all over the world. W.B. Yeats died in
the seven “royal rivers” of Ireland in a manuscript dating France in 1939, on his grave, as per his request were the
from 9th century AD . words:
Call to the shop of Michael Quirke on Wine street to
lean more about the local folklore and stories of the Cast a cold eye
landscape – coming from a family of butchers, today On life, on death,
Michael uses the benches of his forefathers in his work Horseman, pass by!
as a sculptor. His work recalls the heroes of ancient
Ireland , for him they are alive and dynamic forces,
antidotes to our dull rationality to animate imagination
and spirit, both.
Five miles north of Sligo at Drumcliff was the site of Seanfhocail (Old Saying)
the medieval monastery attributed to Columba. By the
12th century this monastic settlement had spread to the Tabhair póg do chos an ghiorria
present setting of Sligo Town. It was not until 1245 when Kiss the hare’s paw.
Norman Knight Maurice Fitzgerald build the Castle of
Sligo that the town developed as a port . Together with (forget about the problem, its all over)
Irish king of Connacht Felim mac Cathal Crobderg
Ua Conchobair, Fitzgerald built a Dominican friary in
234
