Sligo is located in the northwest of Ireland, about forty miles from Enniskillen and the border with Northern Ireland, and 135 miles from Dublin. Once a major port city located at the mouth of the Garavogue River, the name Sligo means Shelly River” in Gaelic.
Nestled between majestic Benbulben mountain to the north, ancient Knocknarea mountain and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, beautiful Lough Gill to the east, and the rugged Ox Mountains to the south, Sligo is one of the most picturesque places in all of Ireland. Its rugged landscapes rival those of tourist destinations like Killarney and Wicklow, but have gone largely unnoticed and therefore, provide beauty without the crowds! Like many towns in Ireland, Sligo has changed dramatically in the past 20 years. Local government and businesses have invested millions to build shopping centers, develop derelict areas (especially along the river), construct additional bridges (with another promise), and Sligo continues to redefine itself to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. Meanwhile, the beauty and traditions that defined Sligo’s past, have remained unaltered.