Yeats Country & Ben Bulben
Sligo
About This Route
W.B. Yeats drew his greatest poetry from this landscape of flat-topped mountains, ancient monasteries, and mysterious loughs. This route explores the places that shaped Ireland's Nobel laureate, from his childhood Sligo to his final resting place beneath Ben Bulben.
Why This Route?
Yeats Country inspires:
- Ben Bulben - Ireland's Table Mountain
- Drumcliff - Yeats's grave and ancient monastery
- Sligo Town - Vibrant county capital
- Knocknarea - Queen Maeve's legendary cairn
- Literary landscape - Every view a poem
The Route
Sligo Town
The heart of the northwest:
The Town
Compact and walkable:
- O'Connell Street (main shopping)
- Yeats Building (exhibitions)
- Model arts centre
- Traditional pubs
Yeats Sites
- Yeats Memorial Building
- His brother Jack B. Yeats artwork (Model gallery)
- Childhood haunts
Cathedral
Catholic cathedral with Romanesque Revival style.
Rosses Point
The seaside village Yeats loved:
- Metal Man navigation marker
- Golf links
- Beach walks
- Views to Knocknarea and Ben Bulben
Drumcliff
Yeats's final resting place:
The Grave
In the churchyard, as he requested: "Cast a cold eye / On life, on death / Horseman, pass by!"
Round Tower Stump
Remains of 6th-century monastery.
High Cross
11th-century carved cross.
Ben Bulben Views
The mountain dominates the scene.
Ben Bulben
The iconic flat-topped mountain (526m):
- Glacially carved cliffs
- Rare Arctic-alpine plants
- Accessible summit (experienced walkers)
- Best viewed from Drumcliff
Glencar
A hidden valley with:
- Glencar Waterfall (50 feet)
- Glencar Lough
- Walking trails
- Featured in Yeats's poem "The Stolen Child"
Manorhamilton
Brief detour into Leitrim for:
- Mountain views
- Market town character
- Connection to Wild Atlantic Way
Streedagh Beach
3km of wild strand:
- Spanish Armada wrecks (1588)
- Surfing
- Dune walks
- Wild and empty
Grange
Village at Ben Bulben's foot:
- Services
- Walking access
- Traditional character
Lissadell House
Historic house with connections to Yeats:
- Home of Constance Markievicz (1916 leader)
- Yeats visited often
- Gardens and grounds
- Summer tours
Return to Sligo via coast road
Yeats in Sligo
Why This Place?
Yeats spent childhood summers here with his grandparents. The landscape permeated his work.
Key Poems Set Here
- "The Lake Isle of Innisfree"
- "The Stolen Child"
- "Under Ben Bulben"
- "The Fiddler of Dooney"
His Wish
Yeats died in France in 1939. His body was returned to Drumcliff in 1948, as he'd requested.
Knocknarea
The cairn-topped mountain south of Sligo:
Queen Maeve's Grave
The massive cairn at the summit is traditionally (though probably wrongly) called Maeve's grave. It's never been excavated.
The Walk
- 1-hour climb from car park
- Well-marked path
- 360° views from summit
- Add a stone to the cairn (tradition)
Walking
Ben Bulben
Challenging summit walk:
- Access from Drumcliff
- Steep ascent
- Exposed plateau
- Proper gear essential
Glencar Loop
Easy lakeside walk to waterfall.
Knocknarea
Moderate climb with massive reward.
Hazelwood Forest
Easy trails along Lough Gill.
Practical Tips
- Drumcliff grave - Free access; small car park
- Ben Bulben - Only for experienced hillwalkers
- Glencar - Waterfall best after rain
- Lissadell - Check opening times
- Streedagh - Strong currents; observe warnings
Recommended fuel stops along this route:
Fuel stations are available in major towns along the route.
