Page 206 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

204 BACK ROADS IRELAND

6 Parke’s Castle and Boat trips around Lough Gill (Easter–
Lough Gill Oct) leave from a jetty outside the
Co Leitrim castle walls.
Set on the shore of Lough Gill in The lake itself is the location of
spectacular countryside, Parke’s Yeats’ beloved Isle of Innisfree –
Castle (open Apr–Sep) is a fortified ”There midnight’s all a glimmer, and
manor house with wide mullioned noon a purple glow”. It is possible to
windows built in 1609 by Captain visit the tiny island. There is not much
Robert Parke. The house was built to see, though visitors may, like the
over the site of the original 15th- poet, “hear lake water lapping with
century castle, home to a prominent low sounds by the shore”.
local clan, the O’Rourkes (Uí Ruairc). The bell of Sligo Abbey is said to
The stones of O’Rourke’s tower were be at the bottom of Lough Gill.
used to build the three-storey manor According to legend, it was sunk
on the eastern side. It has been when the abbey was demolished in
carefully restored using Irish oak and 1642. It is said that those pure of
traditional crafts manship, and is a heart can still hear it tolling.
fine example of the plantation style ª Continue on the R286 to Sligo.
of architecture favoured by the On the way there is a viewing point
Above Parke’s Castle, a splendid fortified 17th-century settlers. overlooking Lough Colgagh.
manor house overlooking Lough Gill
7 Sligo Town
Co Sligo
Although technically a city, Sligo is locally referred to as Sligo
Town. A gateway to the northwest, it is an attractive blend of
quaint charm and modern verve. Striking new buildings like the
Glasshouse sit side by side with characterful older ones such as
the Yeats Memorial Building, both overlooking the Garavogue
River, a popular focal point whose banks are lined with shops
and restaurants. Sligo’s main street is O’Connell Street.
VISITING SLIGO TOWN
Parking A two-hour walking tour City Hall 2, an Italian Renaissance-
Park in Quay Street car park on Lower From the Lower Quay Street car style building dating from 1865.
Quay Street or in the Quayside park cross to the riverside to see On the corner is the Post Office 3
Shopping Centre underground
car park, which is just opposite. the Famine Memorial 1, which built in 1901 and the traditional
commemorates the thousands who shop front of Henry Lyons and Co,
Tourist Information
Fáilte Ireland Northwest, Old Bank died in the Great Famine of 1845. a Sligo landmark since 1878.
Building, O’Connell St; 071 916 1201; Many others emigrated from Sligo’s Across Wine Street, beside Douglas
www.sligotourism.ie; open Mon–Sat quays. Turn left into Quay Street for Hyde Bridge, is the Yeats Memorial
9am–5pm Building 4, erected in 1895 and
now home to the Yeats Society
WHERE TO STAY IN and venue for the annual Yeats
SLIGO TOWN
International Summer School.
The Clayton Hotel moderate Cross five-arched Hyde Bridge into
Large hotel in a historic building with Stephen Street. In front of the Neo-
an Elizabethan façade. Houses a leisure Classical building commissioned for
centre and spa, as well as a kids’ club, Ulster Bank in 1863 is a statue of W B
making it particularly popular with Yeats 5. Next door are the County
families. There are also some
apartments to rent. Library and County Museum 6 (both
Clarion Road; 071 911 9000; closed Sun and Mon; museum closed
www.claytonhotelsligo.com lunchtime). The museum’s Yeats
The Glasshouse moderate section contains the poet’s Nobel
This stunning glass building Prize medal and letters.
overlooking the Garavogue River is in Continue along Stephen Street
an ideal location for exploring the city. and into the Mall for the Model
Quirky interior in bright colours
designed to reflect Sligo’s vibrancy. Arts Centre and Niland Gallery 7
Swan Point, Hyde Bridge; 071 919 Above Curiosities in one of the cosy pubs on Sligo (071 914 1405; www.themodel.ie).
4300; www.theglasshouse.ie Town’s Rockwood Parade Retrace the route along Stephen
Where to Stay: inexpensive under €100; moderate €100–€200; expensive over €200

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