Page 205 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

DRIVE 20: Legends and Lakes 203

can be seen high up in the mountain- glaciers, Glencar Lough is fed by
side. According to mythology, this waterfalls and streams that descend
was the last refuge of ill-fated lovers from the slopes behind. These are
Diarmuid and Gráinne (see box). even more spectacular after heavy
ª Follow the drive back to the N15 rain. In particular, one waterfall
and turn left onto it, through Mount sometimes gets blown upwards by
Temple and Grange. Turn right at a the wind, giving the dramatic and
signpost for Carney and follow the road unusual appearance that it is actually
for 3 miles (5 km) to Lissadell village. flowing upwards.
Follow signs for Lissadell House. The main Glencar Waterfall
(50-ft/15-m high) crashes noisily
3 Lissadell House into a rocky pool. “There is a waterfall
Ballinfull, Co Sligo ... that my childhood counted dear,’’
This early 19th-century estate was wrote W B Yeats of Glencar (Towards
the childhood home of Constance the Break of Day, 1919).
Markievicz, the first woman to be ª Turn right as you exit the car park
elected to the British House of and left onto the N16. Turn right onto
Commons and one of the leaders the R286 and follow the signs for
of the Easter Rising of 1916 by Irish Parke’s Castle.
republicans. Her friend W B Yeats
was a visitor here. The house, which W B Yeats (1865–1939)
overlooks the ocean, was built in Although born in Dublin, Nobel
Greek Revival style. Now beautifully Laureate poet William Butler Yeats Above Yeats Country: the landscape that
restored, it houses an eclectic spent much of his youth in Co Sligo, inspired W B Yeats’ poetry
collection of furnishings and forming a deep attachment to the
paintings, while the grounds are a county and calling it “The land of
delight to wander round (open Mar– heart’s desire”. He returned many
mid-Oct: daily; www.lissadellhouse.com). times and is buried in Drumcliffe
churchyard. Sligo locations found in
ª Retrace the route to Carney. Head his poetry include Glencar, Innisfree
south to Orchard Grove and continue (on Lough Gill), Dromahair (Leitrim),
straight on. Turn right at the N15 for Lissadell House, Coole Park and Ben
Drumcliffe, then left onto Drum Road. Bulben. A signposted tour of Yeats
Country features many of these.
4 Drumcliffe Details are available from the Sligo
Town Tourist Information office (071
Co Sligo 916 1201; northwestinfo@failtedireland.ie).
In St Columba’s churchyard in
Drumcliffe, below the rocky hulk of
Ben Bulben, is the grave of W B Yeats,
one of Ireland’s greatest poets (see
box). He was laid to rest here in 1948, EAT AND DRINK
nearly 10 years after his death, when
his body was moved from the South DRUMCLIFFE
of France. The poet had asked his wife Yeats Tavern inexpensive
to “dig me up and plant me in Sligo”. This is a large lively pub with the
The village also has a round tower, adjoined Davis’s Restaurant offering a
damaged by lightning in 1396, and a variety of seafood as well as poultry
High Cross, remnants of a monastic and game. It is popular at weekends
for roast lunches and weather
settlement founded in AD 574. permitting, you can also dine alfresco.
ª Continue south on the N15, then, Drumcliffe (5 minutes’ walk from the
in Rathcormac, take the second left churchyard, along the N15); 071 916
and immediately left again. Turn left 3117; www.yeatstavernrestaurant.com
at the N16, then left again for Glencar AROUND DRUMCLIFFE
Lough. There is a car park on the right, Lang’s Bar and Restaurant
and a path leads to the waterfall. inexpensive
As well as offering beautiful views of
5 Glencar Lough and Ben Bulben, this traditional bar and
Waterfall restaurant incorporates a grocery
shop. It is located a mere 10-minute
Glencar, Co Leitrim walk from Streedagh Beach.
Surrounded by great, sweeping Above Glencar Waterfall, one of several waterfalls Grange; 071 916 3105; www.langs.ie;
mountains carved out by ancient tumbling into Glencar Lough restaurant closed Tue
Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €25; moderate, €25–€50; expensive, over €50

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