Attractions and Places To See around Ballymote-Tubbercurry Municipal District - Top 18

The region is rich in history, offering several significant sites. You can visit Easky Castle, a castle ruin with great views. Other notable historical landmarks include Ballymote Castle, an impressive Anglo-Norman fortification, and the ruins of Ballinafad Castle, strategically built during the Nine Years' War. Sligo Abbey, a 13th-century Dominican Friary, also offers insight into Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

Yes, the Carrowkeel Neolithic Cemetery is a must-see. It features extensive and imposing stone tombs, including passage graves, constructed between 4000 and 2500 BC. This ancient cemetery is situated on a plateau, offering fantastic views of the surrounding area.

The Caves of Keash are a prominent natural feature. This series of 17 caves opens into the side of a mountain and is rich in local legends. Archaeological finds here include bones of various animals like cave bears and reindeer, as well as evidence of prehistoric human habitation.

The Ballymote-Tubbercurry Municipal District offers various outdoor activities. For hiking, you can explore trails like the Lough Easkey Loop or the Carrowkeel Neolithic Cemetery loop. Cycling enthusiasts can enjoy routes such as the Lough Arrow, Caves of Keash and Castlebaldwin loop, or the Inishcrone to Easky Tower loop. Mountain biking is also an option with trails like the Bunnyconnellan Loop. You can find more details on these activities in the hiking guide, cycling guide, and MTB trails guide for the region.

Absolutely. Lough Talt is a beautiful lake nestled in the Ox Mountains, part of a Special Area of Conservation known for its rare species. Easky Lough is another remote and picturesque lake, known for its abundance of fish. Other natural points of interest include Slish Wood, Lough Gara, Strandhill Beach, and the River Moy.

Families can enjoy several attractions. The Cliff Bath, Enniscrone, also known as 'crab pool,' is a large rectangular pool that fills with each tide, adjacent to a long sandy beach, perfect for children. The Sligo Folk Park in Riverstown offers a captivating experience of rural Irish life from the late 19th century. While Eagles Flying was a popular option, it is scheduled to close in 2025, so it's advisable to verify its operational status.

Yes, the region offers several spots with great views. The Carrowkeel Neolithic Cemetery is located on a plateau with fantastic views. You can also find a fantastic scenic road offering picturesque vistas. View of Streedagh Beach provides stunning coastal scenery, and the tower of Easky Castle also offers views of the surrounding area.

The Sligo Folk Park in Riverstown is an excellent cultural site, providing a glimpse into rural Irish life at the end of the 19th century within six acres of gardens. Ballymote Town itself is a historic market town with local craft shops and a library, and it features a September 11 memorial.

Beyond the beautiful Strandhill Beach, the Cliff Bath, Enniscrone, is a unique coastal feature. Known as 'crab pool,' it's a large rectangular pool that fills with each tide, adjacent to a long white sand beach. The Bath House Seaweed Baths also offer a distinctive coastal experience.

Visitors appreciate the diverse range of experiences, from exploring ancient historical sites like the Carrowkeel Neolithic Cemetery with its impressive stone tombs and fantastic views, to discovering the mysterious Caves of Keash. The scenic beauty of lakes like Lough Talt and the charm of coastal spots like the Cliff Bath in Enniscrone are also highly enjoyed.

Yes, you can visit Cashelore Stone Fort, also known as Cashel Bir or Bawnboy. It's an excellent example of a stone fort or cashel, believed to have been used as a farmstead between 500-1000 AD for protection against raiders and wild animals.

Yes, there are several easy walking trails. The Lough Easkey Loop is an easy hike, as is the Carrowkeel Neolithic Cemetery loop from the neolithic site. Another easy option is the Cliff Bath, Enniscrone – Bath House Seaweed Baths loop from Inishcrone. These trails are generally suitable for those looking for a less strenuous outdoor experience.