Historic Activities Sligo
Things To Do
Ionad Deirbhile
Ionad Deirbhile is located an hour and 20 minute drive from the hotel, in Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) village of Eachléim in Blacksod on the Mullet Peninsula. Ionad Deirbhile is home to a Centre which houses a wealth of information relating to local folklore, archaeology, local history and an account of a former way of life for example currach fishing, construction of old houses native to this area etc. This information is presented in both Irish and English. Visit website here
Rockfleet Castle
Dating to the mid 16th Century this is one of the former residences of Gráinne Uaile / Grace O’Malley – Ireland’s Pirate Queen. The entire castle can be explored for FREE. Rockfleet Castle is located approximately one hour drive from the Diamond Coast Hotel.
Ballintubber Abbey
Ballintubber Abbey, located one hour drive from us, was founded by Cathal Crobhdearg Ua Conchobair / Cathal O’Connor, King of Connacht in 1216. Throughout it’s eight centuries the Abbey has suffered a turbulent history through suppression and fire however, as poet Cecil Day Lewis described Ballintubber as, “The Abbey that refused to die”. Did you know the building is older than the world famous Westminster Abbey (current building dates to 1245) and is the last Irish royal abbey in existence. Visit Website here
The National Museum of Ireland – Country Life & Turlough House
Located in the village of Turlough just outside Castlebar, approximately 40 minute drive from Diamond Coast Hotel, The museum of Country Life is the ONLY National Museum to be located outside of Dublin. The museum exhibits the way of life of rural Irish people between 1850 and 1950, and is in the grounds of Turlough House. Visit website here
Yeats' Grave & Drumcliffe Churchyard
Nobel prizewinning Irish poet William Butler Yeats chose in one of his final poems, his own last resting place - Drumcliffe ‘under bare Benbulbens head’. He was finally laid to rest as he desired, beside the church where his great grandfather had come as a rector one hundred and thirty seven years previously. W.B Yeats’s epitaph reads ‘Cast a cold Eye On life, on death Horseman, pass by’! Drumcliffe churchyard also includes the remains of a High Tower and a High Cross constructed in the 11th century when there was a Christian monastery on the site. Drumcliffe Tea House and Craft Shop serve homemade food and also have a wide selection of crafts on sale.
Walking Tour of Sligo City
Enjoy a FREE walking tour of Sligo City that includes places of Historical, Musical, Sporting and Cultural Interests. The 2.5 hour walking tour departs from Discover Ireland Tourist Office on O'Connell Street Monday to Sunday at 11am from July to September.