Sligo Town Attractions
Yeats Memorial Building
William Butler Yeats, the national poet of Ireland, lived from 1865 to 1939. A red brick building in Sligo Town memorializes him and celebrates his life and work. Located at the west end of the Hyde Park Bridge, it also serves as the headquarters of the W.B. Yeats Society, which sponsors the Yeats Summer School every August. Students of the poetry of Yeats enjoy daily lectures, readings, and trips to significant sites in the life of the writer. The memorial building also houses permanent displays of photographs as well as the Sligo Art Gallery, featuring 15-20 contemporary art exhibitions per year.
Across the street stands an interesting sculpture of W.B. Yeats, created by Rohan Gillespie. Yeats’ son, Michael, unveiled it in 1989 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his death. The imposing figure wears a billowing cloak that is impressively embellished with engraved excerpts of the poet’s most famous works.
Sligo Abbey
Built in 1253 by Maurice FitzGerald, the abbey originally housed Dominican monks. It is the only remaining authentic medieval building in Sligo Town. Heavily damaged by fire in 1414, it was reconstructed afterward only to be destroyed again in 1642, by the army of Sir Fredrick Hamilton.
The structure however, has survived, and today provides an intriguing experience for visitors as they wind their way through the haunting remains. They include 15th century cloister arches containing finely carved stonework, the ruins of the nave, aisle, transept and tower. Also of interest: the medieval rood screen, ornate high altar, the tomb of Cormac O’Crean and the chapter house.
Sligo County Museum
The main attraction of this former presbytery, now an enjoyable museum of local history and art is the Yeats Memorial Room. It displays many of the poet’s personal items, such as letters, photographs, and the flag used to cover his coffin when he was buried nearby at Drumcliff. Also proudly displayed here is Yeats’ Nobel Peace Price for Literature, awarded in 1923.
The rest of the museum focuses on local archaeology and history, with items such as a fiddle used by Michael Coleman, the traditional Irish music star, and artwork by Jack Yeats on display in the adjoining church.