{"id":27232,"date":"2022-11-11T09:33:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-11T14:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=27232"},"modified":"2022-11-14T09:43:15","modified_gmt":"2022-11-14T14:43:15","slug":"sligo-the-unique-flavor-of-yeats-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=27232","title":{"rendered":"Sligo: The Unique Flavor Of Yeats Country"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Yeats Grave, Drumcliffe, Co Sligo (Aoife McElroy)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

By Barry Coughlan<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those of us born and reared in the southern half of Ireland, Sligo was always \u201cway up there somewhere\u201d but for anyone who even had a modicum of learning it was also always known as \u201cYeats Country\u201d<\/strong> in recognition of the poet William B and his brother, artist Jack Yeats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course these two members of a very well known family with huge links to Sligo on one side and strong ties on the other, continue to command respect and play a role in the draw of tourists in growing numbers to the county
But there are more well known people who deserve a mention in the story of Sligo \u2013 Mark Feehily, Shane Filan and Kian Egan of the super boy band Westlife, country singer of the 1950\u2019s Maisie McDaniel, modern day star Tommy Fleming and Academy Award winning film director Neil Jordan, plus a Brother Walfrid, who founded Celtic FC (Glasgow Celtic) way back in 1887. To him, and it\u2019s nothing to do with religion, I say thanks for the legacy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In their own way, all of these people will have contributed to the unique flavor that exists in one of Ireland\u2019s diverse counties, but the physical attraction of Sligo and the growing reputation as one of the world\u2019s greatest surf destinations are essentially shaped by nature alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For starters though, the Yeats story is one of the most compelling reasons for the increase in mass tourism to the county and it is increasing from within and outside of the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To deliver on strategic priorities in growing tourism numbers, several key objectives, initiatives and actions are set out in a county plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These include a concentrated focus on developing the Yeats Theme as the main theme\/attractor for tourism in County Sligo both from a product and marketing point of view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This theme is selected on the basis that it can give County Sligo a market differentiation leading to advantage that cannot be copied. The Plan also focuses on developing a second tier of thematic experiences and attractors selected based on their relative strength and ability to capture visitors and offer compelling experiences. In this respect, they are: Outdoor Adventure, Archaeology and History, Culture and Creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yeats\u2019s first, and most important, place of inspiration was Sligo. It was there that he spent the happiest days of his childhood visiting his maternal grandparents, the Pollexfens, a local merchant family, and absorbing the folklore of the area from conversations with local people there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was later to say about his time in the county and the influence it had on his development: \u201cSligo became the one constant in our lives. The wild, glaciated land gripped our imaginations. When such a place clasps you, there\u2019s no release however far you wander; I\u2019m always measuring, say, the South China Sea or the mountains of Ladakh against the peaks and strands of that far western Irish corner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yeats died in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France in 1939 but he had asked his wife to have his body reinterred in Sligo. After much discussion and negotiation, what is purported to be his remains, was brought to Ireland and buried in Drumcliff Graveyard<\/strong> in 1948. The inscription on his gravestone reads: \u201cCast a cold eye on life, on death, horseman, pass by.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Younger brother Jack spent even more time ion Sligo; He was sent to live permanently throughout some of his childhood and youth to his grandparents in Sligo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the age of nine Jack had settled in Sligo and this arrangement lasted until he went to art school seven years later. He claimed Sligo as a formative influence in his life, and said he rarely painted a picture \u201cwithout a bit of Sligo in it\u201d.
Nowadays the legacy is hugely remembered in the Yeats Building<\/strong> in the heart of Sligo, a hub for literary culture and the arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a permanent Yeats exhibition and the Hyde Bridge Gallery<\/strong> on the first floor offers a range of contemporary exhibitions. In 2023, the town and county will host the 64th Yeats International Summer School<\/strong> \u2013 the longest-running literary summer school in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Model, Art Gallery, Sligo Town (Eddie Lee\/Ed Lee Photography)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The town of Sligo<\/strong>, in the north of Ireland, straddles the Garavogue River<\/strong> where it meets Sligo Bay<\/strong>. It\u2019s known for its literary heritage but for its rugged countryside too. Ruined medieval Sligo Abbey<\/strong> has carved tombs and a 15th-century altar. Sligo County Museum<\/strong> displays memorabilia of W.B. Yeats alongside paintings and Stone Age artefacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Model<\/strong> is a contemporary arts center featuring works by 20th-century Irish artists. This award-winning building is home to one of the most notable public art collections in Ireland, which features one of the largest public holdings of work by Jack Yeats in existence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sligo boasts a stunning, uninterrupted and wild coast, which attracts surfers and water sport enthusiasts year-round. The Ox Mountains<\/strong>, Benbulben <\/strong>and Knocknarea <\/strong>provide breath-taking, well-marked routes for walkers, and there is an abundance of scenic driving and cycling routes. With historic sites dating back to early civilisations in Ireland, and a modern, vibrant urban culture, Sligo offers an enriching visitor experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set amid the stunning scenery of mountain, woods and sea, Lissadell House and Gardens<\/strong> are famous as the childhood home of Constance Markievicz and her siblings Eva and Josslyn Gore Booth. Constance was one of the leaders of the 1916 Rising, and was the \ufb01rst woman to be elected to the House of Commons at Westminister, London. Eva was a poet of distinction and suffragist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sligo Folk Park<\/strong> is located in the beautiful village of Riverstown<\/strong>. This community based attraction provides a true experience of rural life and Irish heritage at the turn of the late 19th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sligo\u2019s archaeological and mythological heritage is incredibly rich, with one of the highest concentrations of prehistoric and later monuments in Western Europe. Carrowmore<\/strong>, the largest megalithic cemetery in Ireland and one of the most important in Europe, dates to 5,000BC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sligo Surf Experience, Strandhill, Co Sligo (Andrew Kilfeather\/Sligo Surf Experience)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The surfing community in Ireland now numbers around 20,000 but surfing tourism is growing in popularity as well, and Ireland is now seen as a real holiday option for enthusiasts. Sligo ranks highly in the list of best surfing areas in Ireland
There will be different views in different places, but Wild Rovers Tours<\/strong> has ranked the best Irish beaches for surfing and Sligo\u2019s Strandhill<\/strong> comes in second behind Bundoran in Donegal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go to different sites and you\u2019ll still generally find Strandhill in the list but alongside other Sligo venues such as Easkey<\/strong> and Mullaghmore<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advanced surfers will be drawn to the two reef breaks at Easkey which have been attracting surfers to Sligo since the late 70s, and even hosted Surfing World Championships events. The right-handed reef break is the more popular of the two waves here. Dependable year-round and in the right conditions it can be one of the best in the world. Epic barrels, crystal clear waves and reef breaks are the order of the day at Easkey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home to some of the best big-wave surfing on the planet, Mullaghmore Head<\/strong> is a world-renowned destination for surf lovers. Grab a seat and watch daredevils ride giant waves, some as big as 30ft, or take a stroll along the cliffs and beaches with the striking Classiebawn Castle<\/strong> and Benbulben<\/strong> in the distance.\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moving on, Sligo may be best known for its landscape but it\u2019s also a place to enjoy great food. The Sligo Food Trail<\/strong> has stops dotted throughout the county and includes fresh farmers markets, cute caf\u00e9s and award-winning restaurants.
There\u2019s plenty of outdoor activity other than surfing to experience too at every twist and turn on the roads in this county.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And without trying to start a row between the Irish and the Dutch, who claim to have named the famous Coney Island of the USA, perhaps it\u2019s worth noting the Irish perception of where the name came from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Dutch settled Manhattan in 1624 and inhabited Coney Island soon afterward. Since the Dutch word for rabbit was \u201ckonijn\u201d and the island had a large population of wild rabbits, many have supposed this fact to have led to the name.
But the captain of an Irish vessel that used to sail between Sligo and New York was from Coney Island in his native county and made similar observations regarding the rabbit population. So he claimed to have named it after his own Coney Island<\/strong> in Sligo Bay. Or so the story goes\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At low tide, you can drive or walk across the three mile long causeway from Rosses Point<\/strong> and escape from it. Keep an eye out for the rabbits!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are further attractions: Step back into Neolithic times on your trip to Sligo with a visit to Carrowkeel<\/strong>. This collection of tombs is one of the largest and most important ancient sites in Ireland, with stone structures standing here for over 5,000 years. Visitors are welcome to explore, but please don\u2019t climb on or damage the tombs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Eagles Flying, Co Sligo (Finn Richards)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One could add a dash of excitement to a Sligo visit with a trip to Eagles Flying<\/strong> but check before you visit as there are restricted opening hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch as the handlers show off the laser-focused hunting skills of falcons, eagles and hawks. Young families love spending time at the petting zoo, especially if the kids take a piggy-back ride on Rosie, the resident pig.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The iconic flat-topped Benbulben Mountain<\/strong> has dominated the landscape in the west of Sligo for over 300 million years. Visible throughout the west of the county, you can really appreciate its sheer size and otherworldly shape by exploring the trails and laneways at its base, just to get a feel of the place you see. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

www.discoverireland.ie\/sligo\/things-to-do-in-sligo<\/a>
www.sligo.ie\/visit<\/a><\/p>\n

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