Local Attractions for Castle Dargan, Sligo

SLIGO ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES

SLIGO RACES

Visit the Sligo Races website (click above link) to view the Raceing Fixture list and latest news. Make the most of your visit to the upcomming Sligo Race Meetings during May 2010. Enjoy 4 Star Luxury Hotel Accommodation at Sligo's leading Golf Hotel & Wellness Resort with FREE Sligo Race Tickets when you book one of Castle Dargan's Sligo Racing Special Offers.

Taylors Art Gallery
Taylors Art Gallery is a family run gallery located just 10 miles from Castle Dargan on the N4, Sligo to Dublin road. Sligo has an enviable history of arts and artists, with the Yeats family being the best known but more recently Sligo is home to many artists with international recognition who have located here to capture the magical light and scenery of this beautiful county.
At Taylors Art Gallery there are continuing exhibitions of local and international artists with Oils, Acrylics, Watercolours, Drawings & Sculpture. This is a Gallery where you can linger and enjoy the art around you.

Open Monday – Saturday
9.00am – 9.00pm
071 9165138

Eagles Flying
Flying Demonstrations at 11 a.m. & 3 p.m daily lasting for approximately 60 minutes each. (Seasonal)
Enjoy the thrill of raptors flying closely over your head or landing right beside you. Some of them even allow to be touched - but ask one of the birds trainers before!
Never again you will be that close to a bird of prey.

Eagles Flying
Ballymote, Co. Sligo
Tel/Fax: 071-918 9310
www.eaglesflying.com

King House
King House is a magnificently restored Georgian Mansion located in Boyle, County Roscommon. It was built in the early 1700’s for Sir Henry King, whose family were one of the most powerful and wealthy in Ireland.

After its first life as a home, King House was converted into a military barracks in the 19th century for the famous Connaught Rangers regiment. At the end of Civil War in 1923 the barracks passed into the control of the newly formed Irish Free State Army.

Following many years as a merchants store, King House was saved from demolition in the late 1980s and restored to its former Georgian style by Roscommon County Council.

King House is open as a visitor attraction in the centre of Boyle. It has many interesting exhibitions including one on the famous Hollywood actress Maureen O' Sullivan.

Boyle
Co. Roscommon
www.kinghouse.ie/

Horse Riding
For those whose passion is the pursuit of equine adventures Sligo has all you could desire. The breathtaking beauty of South Sligos surrounding countryside and the tranquillity of taking life at a pony trekking pace is close at hand to Castle Dargan . Horse riding lessons and trekking days can be organised directly by you or by Castle Dargan hotel reception. Markree Riding Stables. Collooney, Co. Sligo
Mob: 087- 219 1786/ 087-223 4138
www.markreeridingstables.com

Why not really get off the beaten track and join in on a walking tour or a Sligo cycling tour of one of the many routes which are mapped out by local walking or cycling clubs. The Innisfree Wheelers Cycling Club
www.innisfreewheelers.com

Housed In a beautifully renovated model school that dates back to the 1850’s The Model Niland is one of Ireland’s most important arts centres. With contemporary exhibitions that change every few months and the impressive Niland Art Collection featuring work by Jack B. Yeats, Paul Henry, Dorothy Cross and Nick Miller among others in permanent residence a trip to the Model Gallery is a must for anyone visiting Sligo. Perched on a grassy hill on the Mall close to the Sligo City Centre it is a perfect way to spend a relaxing few hours.
Model Arts and Niland Gallery. The Mall, Sligo
www.modelart.ie

Castle Dargan Standard Room

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to take a cruise on the only privately owned RNLI Mersey class Lifeboat. The MV Spirit can be chartered for any of the following activities:Private/Special Charter

Film/TV/Photography
Whale Watch
Corporate Team building
Powerboat Instruction
Safety Boat
Fishing Trips
Island Hopping

Surfing Offshore Breaks
www.spiritadventure.net

Sligo Walking & Hill Walking Sligo

Tour De Humbert Route

Runs from Kilcummin, on Killala Bay in Co. Mayo, where a French expeditionary force landed in 1798 to help the Irish in their rebellion that year. It follows the erratic path of advancing force to the scene of their final battle and defeat at Ballinamuck Co. Longford.

The route passes through some wonderful Sligo and Leitrim scenery as well as the following towns in counties Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Longford: Kilcummin, Killala, Ballina, Castlebar, Swinford, Bellahy, Tobercurry, Lavagh, Coolaney, Collooney, Dromahair, Drumkeeran, Drumshambo, Keshcarrigan, Garvagh and Cloona.

The recent Tour de Humbert Cycling Trail development is marked with a series of finger signposts and sites of historical interest on the route are marked by explanatory panels.

Contact

Address: North West Tourism, Temple Street, Sligo Town, Sligo, Republic Of Ireland Telephone: +353 (0)71 9161201

Union Wood Walking Trail

The old woodland once formed part of the Cooper estate and fallow deer roam among the bluebells and rhododendrons. Facilities include a car park that overlooks the lake, fishing and pinic areas. Walking starting point: 8km south of Sligo Ballygawley road. Length: 5km of forest roads.

Contact

Address: Ballygawley, Sligo, Republic Of Ireland. Telephone: +353 (0)71 9161201

Sligo Spur Walks

The Hill Walks are all circuits which start and finish from a small village or town and are divided into nineteen walks varying from 1 hour to 6 hours in length and often linking into The Sligo Way. There are many forest walks in the area. The following are a few popular choices amongst locals and visitors to the area.

Hazelwood Walking Trail

Hazelwood is located 5km east of Sligo on the shores of Lough Gill. Wooden sculptures are interspersed along the 2km of trails.

Dooney Rock Walk

Dooney Rock is located 4km south east of Sligo on the shores of Lough Gill. The 1km walk and nature trail lead to a stunning viewing point at the top of Dooney Rock and command views of the entire lake and it's islands.

Slish Wood Walking Trail

Slish Wood is located 5km south east of Sligo on the shores of Lough Gill. The 3km of forest trails offer views over Lough Gill and walks down by the lake shore. Sligo's surrounding mountains offer the opportunity for discovering some stunning vantage points of Sligo and it's surrounds.

Knocknarea Mountain Walk

The distinctive 452m mountain is located 10km from Sligo town in the direction of Strandhill. The relatively easy walk will take approximately 45 - 60 minutes, leads to a mound of stones at the top known as 'Queen Maeve's Grave' - Connaught's legendary queen - believed to be a passage grave dating back to 3,000BC. Views from the top are of Sligo Bay, Mayo, the Ox Mountains and Donegal.

Benbulben

The striking 527m moutain is located north of Sligo town and provides a challenging Hill Walk to the summit. the table top mountain features prominently in Irish legend and has long been associated with Wb Yeats, who is buried in it's shadow. The 6km expanse of mountain can be seen in full from the road from Sligo to Manorhamilton and encompasses the waterfall at Glencar and King's Mountain.