Without reaching the size of Ireland’s other major cities, Sligo stands out in the north-west of Ireland and makes a good base from which to explore this still very rural region. Once an active trading port, the economy is now focused on other sectors such as pharmaceuticals and tourism, building on the fame of W.B. Yeats.

01. W.B. Yeats statue

William Butler Yeats won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923. Although he was born in Dublin and died in France, the writer-poet remains associated with Sligo and its region, which he celebrated in his writings and where he came to visit his grandparents. His statue was erected in 1989 on the fiftieth anniversary of his death. It is the work of renowned Irish sculptor Rowan Gillespie.

02. Abbey

Sligo Abbey dates back to the 13th century, while its cloister dates from the 15th century. Despite the damage caused by time and conflict, the abbey’s carvings and graceful arches endure, offering a glimpse of a bygone era. Beyond religion, abbeys were places of knowledge and cultural exchange. The beautiful ruins firmly anchor Sligo in the past.

03. City Hall

Occupying the site of an ancient Cromwellian fort, the Town Hall was completed in 1872 to meet the needs of the local population. Its large, rounded windows give it an Italianate look, enhanced by the contrasting colours of its materials. A tower was added to a different design, commissioned by the port authorities to monitor ship movements.

04. Courthouse

The imposing stone façade of the Courthouse stands in stark contrast to the simple buildings surrounding it. Built at the end of the 19th century, it was part of the administration of justice in a country divided by deep political antagonisms. In addition to its judicial functions, it was also the meeting place for the assembly representing County Sligo.

05. River Garavogue

Sligo was built on the banks of the River Garavogue, which is relatively short but heavily fed by Lough Gill upstream. A fine stone bridge crosses the river in the city centre, where its banks are gradually being transformed into a promenade. At its estuary, a small port has lost its commercial importance to pleasure craft.

06. Italian Quarter

Limited to Tobergal Lane, Sligo’s Latin Quarter is not on the same scale as Galway. Yet the few establishments gathered there manage to create a pleasant atmosphere. Starting on the banks of the River Garavogue, this medieval alleyway boasts boutiques with character, and lively pubs where upbeat Irish music delights the evenings.

07. Lady Erin Monument

In the Republic of Ireland, most towns have a monument to honor those who fought for Irish independence. In 1898, this monument was unveiled in Market Square, commemorating the 1798 uprising. A page of history easily forgotten in the middle of a commercial district with many traditional stores.

08. St John the Baptist Cathedral

The Church of Ireland’s Protestant-rite St John the Baptist Cathedral was built in the mid-18th century on the site of a former 13th-century parish church, the remains of which are said to have been incorporated into the structures of today’s church. The cathedral is surrounded by a cemetery and lawns in the most traditional manner for religious sanctuaries.

09. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

The Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception dates from the late 19th century, when Irish Catholics were regaining strength in the expression of their faith. Symbolically, its tall tower surpasses that of the neighboring Protestant cathedral. For reasons of financial pragmatism, the land surrounding the church has been turned into a paid parking lot.

10. Bishop’s residence

Opposite the cathedrals stands the Bishop’s Palace, the elegant historic residence of the bishop and his administration. The Bishopric of Sligo encompasses County Sligo and parts of neighboring counties. Its origins lie in the lands of former monastic settlements, whose formal establishment dates back to the early medieval period.