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Monthly Archives: January 2010
Drumcliff Churchyard
The graveyard at Drumcliff is the final resting place of W.B. Yeats, buried here in 1948 after his remains had been bought back from France where he had died in 1939.
Drumcliff churchyard is often associated with St. Columcille. It is thought that he or some of his followers founded a monastery here. The Battle of the Books is said to have taken place nearby which resulted in Columcille being exiled to the Scottish island of Iona.
The remains of Sligo’s only round tower is located across the road from the church and a decorated Celtic high cross still stands in the graveyard near the entrance to the church.
Posted in Historical/Heritage Sites
Tagged celtic high cross, churchyard, round tower, yeats
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Slishwood
Slishwood is located on the R287 travelling towards the village of Ballintogher from Sligo town and not far from Dooney Rock. A 3km walking trail starts and finishes at the car park. The walk has excellent views across Lough Gill. The woods around Slishwood support a wide variety of local wildlife such as fallow deer, pine martin, red squirrel, bats and badgers.
As well as walkers and joggers, Slishwood is also a popular area for orienteering events that take place here from time to time. Continue reading
Heapstown Cairn
This massive cairn is unusual in that it is located on lowland as opposed to the nearby Carrowkeel tombs that dominate the surrounding area from the slopes of the Bricklieve Mountains. Although far bigger in size than any of the tombs on the Brickleives, Heapstown cairn cannot be seen until you are relatively close by. Having said that, pictures don’t convey just how large this cairn actually is!
The cairn is now surrounded by a circle of trees. Around the base of the cairn many of the large kerbstones are still visible.
In legend, the cairn was built over a well that possessed special healing powers. The well was used by injured Tuatha Dé Danann warriors during the Second Battle of Moytura to revitalise themselves so they could return to the fight. Their enemies, the Fomorians devised a plan to prevent the Tuatha Dé Danann from using the well. Each warrior from the vast Fomarian forces threw a stone into the well until eventually an enormous cairn covered any access to it.
Posted in Megaliths
Tagged battle, cairn, heapstown, megalithic, moytura, passage tomb
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Dooney Rock
Dooney Rock is located just outside Sligo town on the R287. The site has a picnic area beside the car park. From there a looping nature trail, 1.2km in length leads towards the shore of Lough Gill before leading up to the top of Dooney Rock.
At regular intervals along the trail are information posts giving details on the various trees and plants located in the area. At the top of Dooney Rock there are four viewing points that offer fantastic views of Lough Gill and the surrounding countryside. Continue reading