The Yeats Benbulben Tour
Rosses Point → Drumcliffe → Streedagh Point → Mullaghmore → Cliffony → Creevykeel Tombs → The Horseshoe Valley & Magic Hill → Glencar Lake → Glencar Waterfall → The lake from N16 to Sligo
Ireland's Most Beautiful Locations
7 Days a Week: 8am and 2pm
7 hours
Details & Itinerary
Next we head for Streedagh Point a small village in the north west of Sligo where the Spanish Armada floundered in 1588. Streedagh Strand is an impressive 3 kilometre long sandy beach located on the north western shore of a sandbar linking Streedagh Point to an area known as Connor’s Island. This is an exposed beach with reef breaks which create ideal surfing conditions all year round. Did you know? Three ships belonging to the Spanish Armada were wrecked on Streedagh Beach in 1588. The armada was amassed to attack and if possible wipe out the English navy fleet. However subsequent to the decisive Battle of Gravelines, a battle which the Spanish lost, the fleet fled north rounding Scotland and Ireland in the hope of returning to Spain. The ships were attempting to shelter from a ferocious Atlantic storm, however, given the severity of the weather they came aground and were wrecked. The sailors that landed at Streedagh were massacred by English troops garrisoned in Sligo, however, some survived through a mixture of good fortune and assistance from some of the Irish chieftains of the area. Captain DeCuellar’s account of his experience of these events is an extremely significant piece of social history and his epic journey back to his homeland is commemorated to this day as part of the Celtic Fringe Festival, held in Grange in June each year.
We drive back to Cliffoney and turn left onto the N15 and after about 100 yards we come to the Creevekeel Court Tomb which is reputed to have been in existence as far back as 4,000 BC. This was a place of ceremony and worship of the Christians in olden times. A team of archaeologists from Harvard University excavated Creevekeel in 1935. Cremated human bones were found as well as pottery, flint arrowheads, hollow scrapers and polished stone axes which are preserved in the National Museum in Dublin. On leaving Creevekeel we turn left heading east to a village called Ballintrillick which guards the entrance to the secret mountain-ringed valley of the Gleniff Horseshoe.
The first thing we see is a picnic area and the remains of an old Barytes Mill. This valley is guarded by three mountains, Tievebaun Truskmore on the east-side and Benwisken to the west. The drive is a 10-kilometre loop along single lane roads with spectacular views in the dramatic and wild Dartry Mountains. Early on in the loop we encounter the secret of the Magic Hill. At the south end we may be able to see some of the mine entrances which are closed to the public. As we turn right at the bottom of the loop we are facing Benwisken. We go right again and 3 kilometres along here 1200 feet up the mountain we can see Diarmud and Graine’s cave where they spent their last night together.Just up the road ahead is an old ruin of what was The Miners Hostel. Now we are near the end of the loop we turn left at Ballintrillick and head for Cliffoney where we turn left again and head south on N15 passing through Moneypoint. We turn left again near Drumcliffe for Glencar Lake and Waterfall.
On our way back to Sligo we visit the Holy Well at Tobernault which is an age old pilgrimage site. In olden times the Druids would come and celebrate mass here when people were forbidden to congregate. There is a legend that says the well’s waters have healing power for ailments of the eye and the head. A brisk stream flows from the well making a constant soothing musical sound. Secluded and sheltered from the elements candles burn here all year round. The gravel walks have religious limestone Stations of the Cross as well as granite stones announcing the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. One feels a unique atmosphere of peaceful and healing tranquility. From here we head back to your accommodation or chosen drop off point..
