Irish Tourism: Tourist Information Of Ireland Information for the traveller and tourist attractions in County Sligo (Connacht, Republic of Ireland).  
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County Sligo

Map County Sligo
Attractions:
Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
Creevykeel Court Tomb
Knocknarea
County Colours Co. Sligo
Coat of Arms Co. Sligo
Co. Sligo
Sligeach
Prov. Connacht
Republic of Ireland
Major cities:
Sligo, Dromore West, Enniscrone, Ballymote, Gorteen, Collooney, Riverstown
Surface: 1,836 km2
Population: 58,178

Sligeach, the Gaelic name of County Sligo, means abounding in shells and originates from the large number of shellfish which lived in the Garavogue River, which is also known as the Sligeach. During the construction of the foundations of building in the city of Sligo car loads of shells appeared.

The population of County Sligo is severely decreased after the Great Famine by emigration. It is estimated that approximately 75,000 people has left the county in the years between 1851 and 1901. For comparison: nowadays County Sligo is home for 59,000 people.

County Sligo offers a variety of sceneries. The rough mountains in the north and south contrasts sharply with the lakes and the Atlantic shore. The inexhaustible source of marine life and the friendly landscape attracted the ancient humans to settle in County Sligo and the remains of their presence are still visible. There are several megalithic monuments but the most fascinating are the megalithic cemetery near Carrowmore and a well preserved tomb near Creevykeel.
County Sligo also have its share of monastic sites and castles.
The visitor interested in Irish literature would pay a visit to the grave of WB Yeats, who described County Sligo as "land of heart's desire".

The city of Sligo is the largest city in north-west Ireland. It is a bouncing city with a wide variety of shops and entertainment and is famous for its great tradition music.

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