Page 238 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

236  IRELAND REGION B Y REGION

p A Tour of Yeats Country

Even for people unfamiliar with the poetry of
W B Yeats, Sligo’s engaging landscapes are reason
enough to make a pil grimage. This tour follows a
varied route, taking you past sandy bays and
dramatic limestone ridges, through forest and
alongside rivers and lakes. Lough Gill lies at the
heart of Yeats country, enclosed by wooded hills
crisscrossed by walking trails. In summer, boats ply
the length of the lough, or you can head to one
of the northwest’s best beaches, at Rosses Point. 5 Ben Bulben
The eerie silhouette of Ben Bulben rises
abruptly out of the plain. You can climb to
the top, but go with great care.
Donegal

Carney
Drumcliff
Drumcliff Bay
4 Lissadell House
Yeats was a close friend of the
Gore-Booth sisters who lived at
Lissadell. The house is closed to J
the public (see p235). Sligo Harbour

3 Drumcliff
Although he died in France, in
1948 Yeats’s body was laid to Colgagh
rest in Drumcliff churchyard. The Lough
ruins of an old monastic site J
include a fine High Cross.

Key Garavogne
Tour route
Other roads
Boat trips
Viewpoint
Galway
Tips for Drivers
Length: 88 km (55 miles).
Stopping-off points: North of
Sligo, the best choice of eating 1 Sligo
places is at Rosses Point, although This town is a good place
there are good pubs in Drumcliff to begin a tour of Yeats
and Dromahair. Lough Gill country. It has many
provides most choice in terms 2 Rosses Point connections with the poet
of picnic spots. Yeats and his brother used to and his family, whose
Boat trips: visit www.sligoboat spend their summers at this literary and artistic legacy
charters.com or www.roseofinnis pretty resort. It stands at the has helped to inspire
free.com (see also pp365–7). entrance to Sligo Bay, and a Sligo’s thriving arts scene
steady flow of boats passes by. (see p238).

For hotels and restaurants in this region see p302 and pp321–3

236-237_EW_Ireland.indd 236 08/03/17 11:07 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2)
Date 14th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm