Yeats Country & Ben Bulben

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

Where to Stay

This 95-kilometre loop starts and finishes in Sligo Town, circling north through Drumcliff, Ben Bulben, Glencar, Streedagh, and Lissadell before returning via the Knocknarea side. Everything on the route is within 30 minutes of the town centre, making Sligo the natural base for an unhurried day exploring Yeats Country.

Sligo

Sligo Town has the northwest's best selection of hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants. The Yeats Memorial Building and the Model gallery are within walking distance, and from here Drumcliff churchyard and Ben Bulben are a 10-minute drive north. Glencar Waterfall is 20 minutes east, Lissadell House 15 minutes northwest, and the Knocknarea trailhead 15 minutes southwest -- so the entire literary landscape radiates from the town.

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

1. Drumcliff grave - Free access; small car park
2. Ben Bulben - Only for experienced hillwalkers
3. Glencar - Waterfall best after rain
4. Lissadell - Check opening times
5. Streedagh - Strong currents; observe warnings

Before You Drive This Route

At 115km the Yeats Country & Ben Bulben looks like a 3.5 hours drive on paper. Allow 1 day and you will actually see it. The Irish driving rules and road signs guide covers speed limits, signage and the penalty points system, which is worth ten minutes before you set off. For what a trip like this costs in 2026, from fuel to beds, see the budget guide. Most visitors hire at the airport; our guide to renting a car in Ireland covers deposits, excess and what to check before you drive off the lot. More drives in the same corner of the country are on the County Sligo page, and the Lough Gill & Ox Mountains pairs naturally with this one.