Templeboy can be explored through several landscape and historical features: the Aughris Coastal Walk passes an Iron Age promontory fort, while a section of the Sligo Way runs along minor roads and paths through the uplands to Ladies Brae and Lough Achree. Along the coast, you can stroll on sandy beaches or follow the cliff path at Aughris Head. The area’s history includes a stone church, a holy well and the Aughris Lookout Post. This draws attention not only to the coast, but also to religious and military history.
Coastal Walks with Different Highlights
The Aughris Coastal Walk is approximately 4 km long, has a moderate gradient and runs along gravel and grass paths. It starts at the car park for The Beach Bar pub on Dunmoran Strand in Aughris and passes the promontory fort. The walk is considered suitable for families. Its length, gradient and surface give you specific details to help you plan this coastal walk as a separate activity.
Other coastal options offer different highlights: you can stroll along the sandy beaches of Aughris and Dunmoran or follow the coastal cliff path at Aughris Head. From Aughris Head, you can enjoy views of the beaches of Aughris and Dunmoran, Sligo Bay and Knocknarea Mountain. This gives you a choice between beach walks and viewpoints, and a route for which the length, gradient and surfaces are specifically described.
A section of the Sligo Way runs along minor roads and paths through the uplands of Templeboy to Ladies Brae and Lough Achree. In contrast to the Aughris Coastal Walk, this route is defined by its passage through the uplands and the destinations along the way. Check current trail conditions before setting out if you plan to take one of these routes.
Church, Well and Coastal History
The Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception is a detached stone Roman Catholic church built around 1870. Its cruciform plan comprises a five-bay nave, transepts and a projecting chancel. The building’s form gives the church a distinctive architectural dimension alongside its long history.
The pilgrimage tradition at St. Patrick’s Well dates back to Christian times; stations and prayers are associated with the well. The Aughris Promontory Fort is locally known as O’Toole’s Castle. Today, only a mound remains of the Iron Age coastal fortification.
The Aughris Lookout Post was numbered 67. Seven men, mostly local volunteers, manned the post and watched the sea to warn of attacks or report military sightings. The Beach Bar also tells a story of the coast: the thatched pub on the shore at Aughris dates from the 17th century.
More Historical Perspectives in County Sligo
Within the wider destination of County Sligo, Carrowmore and Sligo Abbey offer their own historical highlights. Carrowmore is Ireland’s largest and oldest collection of Neolithic tombs; more than 30 monuments remain, almost 6,000 years old. Sligo Abbey is a Dominican friary with extensive surviving medieval remains of its church, sacristy and chapter house. Together, these sites represent distinct historical themes: Neolithic tomb monuments on the one hand, and medieval monastic architecture on the other.
Discover more destinations: Cloghboley, Ballisodare, Ballaghnatrillick, Tiratick, Derrybeg, Mullaghmore, Lavagh, Inishcrone
For the wider travel overview: County Sligo.
