Page 204 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

202 BACK ROADS IRELAND

Above Lissadell House, once the home of Constance Markeivicz, a leader of the Easter Uprising of 1916
1 Mullaghmore small crossroads. Turn left at the sign
Co Sligo for the Gleniff Horseshoe Drive,
The picturesque fishing village of 3 miles (5 km) from the N15.
Mullaghmore is pleasant to visit
WHERE TO STAY AROUND both for its harbour setting and for
DRUMCLIFFE moody Classiebawn Castle nearby. The Legend of Diarmuid
Both castle and harbour were built and Gráinne
Ardtarmon House inexpensive Gráinne, daughter of the High King
This lovely country house has been from local stone. In the 20th century, Cormac Mac Airt, was betrothed to
in the same family since 1852 and is the castle was the residence of British the warrior and leader Fionn Mac
surrounded by its own wooded earl Lord Louis Mountbatten – killed Cumhaill, but she fell in love and
grounds and a farm. It is a 500-m when his boat was blown up off the eloped with another warrior called
(500-yard) walk to a safe swimming Diarmuid. For years they were
beach from the house, which offers coast in 1979. The headland has pursued around the country by
four B&B rooms as well as self-catering stunning views and a sandy beach. Fionn. While the couple were
accommodation in the old outhouses. The tiny, mystical island of staying in a cave on Ben Bulben
Raghly Road, Ballinphull (Take minor Inishmurray lies offshore 7 km Diarmuid was killed by a boar on
road towards Raghly from beside the (4 miles) northwest of Streedagh the slopes of the mountain and
Yeats Tavern in Drumcliffe and drive for
2 km/1 mile to Carney. Turn left again Point. Weather permitting, boat trips Gráinne died of grief. The cave was
their last hiding place and they are
towards Raghly and drive 4 miles/6 km to the island run from Mullaghmore
to Dunleavy’s shop. Turn left again pier from March to October (087 667 said to be buried together inside it.
towards Raghly for 3 km/2 miles until 4522). Founded by St Molaise in the
the wooden Ardtarmon House sign 6th century, Inishmurray was a
with a shamrock symbol among trees 2 Gleniff Horseshoe
on left); 071 916 3156; secluded monastic retreat and has
www.ardtarmon.com; closed for two remains including cursing stones, Co Sligo
weeks at Christmas and New Year beehive cells and engraved altars. This circular drive through country
The island is also an important bird roads leads to a magical spot behind
and wildlife sanctuary. Ben Bulben, the distinctive mountain
Below A thatched cottage between Bundoran ª Take the R279 out of Mullaghmore that rises abruptly out of the plain.
and Mullaghmore Below centre The Round but follow the Bundoran sign after This beautifully austere valley is one
Tower at Drumcliffe Below right The scenic 1 mile (1.5 km). Go straight across the of the most peaceful places in the
drive around Gleniff Horseshoe N15, then straight over a further three county. The dark mouth of a cave

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