The Caves Tour
Lough Arrow → Ballindoon Friary → Carrowkeel Megalithic Tombs → The Caves of Kesh → Ballymote Castle → Raptor Centre and Bird Sanctuary → Collooney Falls → the 1798 Memorial Collooney.
See the legendary Caves of Kesh
7 hours
7 Days a Week: 8am and 2pm
Details & Itinerary
Lough Arrow lies at the foot of the Curlew Mountains 22 kilometres from Sligo town on the border between the counties of Sligo and Roscommon. It is the largest lake in Sligo, measuring 8 kilometres long and 2.5 kilometres across at the widest points. The lake is fed from waters from spring wells. The lake is drained by the Ushin River which flows into the Owenmore River near Ballysadare and on to the Atlantic Ocean. Lough Arrow boasts some of the finest wild Trout fishing in Europe and is an anglers Mecca during the Mayfly season.
Ballindoon Abbey on the north east shore of lough Arrow is a Dominican Priory founded by the McDonaghs in 1507. Terence McDonagh was buried here in 1713. He maintained an active political role in Irish History and was the only Catholic in an influential position when the penal laws were introduced. He practiced Law until 1692 and he helped many families, including the O’Connors and O’Rourkes to hold onto their Hereditary Possessions and Lands. As we leave Ballindoon and Lough Arrow we travel to Castlebaldwin and on up into the Bricklieve Mountains to visit Carrowkeel Megalithic Tombs.
Carrowkeel Megalithic Tombs are designated as a National Monument and are one of the Sacred Sites of Ireland on a hill in the Bricklieve Mountains. It has 14 Burial Mounds dating from 2500-2000 BC and each tomb is marked alphabetically. There are beautiful scenic views of Lough Arrow and the surrounding areas from this mountain. As we leave here we travel 5 kilometres north west to Keshcorran Mountain and the Caves Of Kesh.
Carrowkeel Megalithic Tombs are designated as a National Monument and are one of the Sacred Sites of Ireland on a hill in the Bricklieve Mountains. It has 14 Burial Mounds dating from 2500-2000 BC and each tomb is marked alphabetically. There are beautiful scenic views of Lough Arrow and the surrounding areas from this mountain. As we leave here we travel 5 kilometres north west to Keshcorran Mountain and the Caves Of Kesh.
Ballindoon Abbey on the north east shore of lough Arrow is a Dominican Priory founded by the McDonaghs in 1507. Terence McDonagh was buried here in 1713. He maintained an active political role in Irish History and was the only Catholic in an influential position when the penal laws were introduced. He practiced Law until 1692 and he helped many families, including the O’Connors and O’Rourkes to hold onto their Hereditary Possessions and Lands. As we leave Ballindoon and Lough Arrow we travel to Castlebaldwin and on up into the Bricklieve Mountains to visit Carrowkeel Megalithic Tombs. Carrowkeel Megalithic Tombs are designated as a National Monument and are one of the Sacred Sites of Ireland on a hill in the Bricklieve Mountains. It has 14 Burial Mounds dating from 2500-2000 BC and each tomb is marked alphabetically. There are beautiful scenic views of Lough Arrow and the surrounding areas from this mountain. As we leave here we travel 5 kilometres north west to Keshcorran Mountain and the Caves Of Kesh.
The Centre opens to the public on Good Friday and has tours of one hour duration twice daily at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. You can see Eagles Flying and Training and experience eagles swoop inches above you. You can have a bird land on your head and watch the Bird Whisperers at work. This is a visit that provides both fun and information for all. Next we make our way out to the Sligo road, turn right and pass through the village of Ballinacarrow on our way to the small town of Collooney where we visit the Collooney Mill Falls on the Owenmore River. At Collooney Mill Falls we see the fish-pass for salmon, in their run to spawning beds up river. We see the old mill which is a derelict building now and serves as a reminder of a different age in a very picturesque area surrounded now by houses and apartments. After a photo session we go to the 1798 Memorial.
