A freestanding tower, a Court Tomb, a souterrain and a cashel give Cloghboley, County Sligo, a range of archaeological and architectural points of interest. For more on culture, the coast and nature, take a separate look at County Sligo.
Cloghboley: Architecture, Archaeology and Landscape
John's Port is a freestanding, rendered tower with a single-bay plan and three storeys. It was built around 1840. This 19th-century structure stands alongside the archaeological sites that also characterise the area.
Cloghboley Court Tomb is a small example of the central-court type. It is located on pastureland just south of the road between Maugherow Church and the Cloghbooley post office, on the north side of Drumcliff Bay. Its type and precise location give this site a different focus from the souterrain, which appears to consist of two separate pairs of underground chambers with different surface openings.
Cloghboley Cashel is located on pastureland on a ridge and offers open views in several directions. Here, the impression is shaped not by chambers or the architecture of a tower, but by the elevated location and open views. This is a distinctive landscape feature among the area's points of interest.
Funding announced in 2021 for improvement works to rural roads and tracks also included the access road to Clish Beach in Cloghboley. Check current road and beach access conditions before visiting.
More Cultural Sites in County Sligo
Those looking to explore more of County Sligo will find two significant prehistoric sites at Carrowmore and Carrowkeel. Carrowmore is Ireland's largest and oldest collection of Neolithic tombs: more than 30 surviving monuments are almost 6,000 years old. Carrowkeel includes tombs that are more than 5,000 years old and may be explored by visitors. To protect the site, do not climb on or damage the tombs.
Sligo Abbey offers a different historical perspective: this Dominican priory has extensive surviving medieval remains of its church, sacristy and chapter house. At Streedagh Beach, the Spanish Armada Visitor Centre presents recovered artefacts and immersive exhibitions about the wreck and its sole survivor. Check current opening hours before your trip.
Coast, Landscape and Activities in the County
Streedagh Beach is a three-kilometre sandy beach connecting Streedagh Point with Connor's Island. Dunes and an estuary are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The coastal waters offer surfing and windsurfing, while stand-up paddleboarding takes place in the sheltered estuary. If you plan to take part in any of these activities, check sea conditions beforehand. Mullaghmore Head is also a well-known surf spot and has a walking route along the coast. At the foot of Benbulben, trails and minor roads can be used to explore the mountain landscape; here too, check conditions before setting out for a walk.
At low tide, Coney Island can be reached from Rosses Point by car or on foot via a five-kilometre causeway. Access depends on the water level, so check tide conditions before your trip. For a different view of the coast, Enniscrone Boat Tours offers RIB safaris, one- and two-hour boat trips, and half- or full-day sea safaris in Killala Bay from Enniscrone Pier. Check tour times and routes before booking.
Local Food and Markets
The Sligo Food Trail is a network of more than 70 food-related businesses in County Sligo. The trail also includes four weekly arts, crafts and food markets. As market schedules can change, check current market days before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Ballinphull, Cloonacool, Tobercurry, Drumcliff, Ballaghnatrillick, Curry, Collooney, Mullaghmore.
For the broader travel overview: County Sligo.
