Aclare: River, Bridge and Walking Trails

Aclare lies on the River Inagh, a tributary of the Moy, in the shadow of the Ox Mountains. The five-arch limestone road bridge, trails of varying lengths and strong ties to traditional Irish music give the village several distinctive features: architectural history, outdoor activity and culture.

The bridge and river shape the village

At the western edge of the village, Aclare Bridge is the centrepiece of a riverside recreation park. Built around 1850, the road bridge is made of limestone and has five arches. Next to it is a community park on the Inagh, with a viewing platform and picnic benches. Here, a striking structure and a riverside landscape come together in one place. Visitors interested in architecture will find a tangible point of reference, while the park adds views of the Inagh.

Walking trails in Aclare and at Lough Talt

The Aclare–Fidon Walk is 4.8 kilometres long and starts and ends in the village of Aclare. This makes it easy to combine the route with a visit to the village. Nearby, the circular trail at Lough Talt is eight kilometres long; the route is about seven kilometres from Aclare. The two trails offer a clear comparison when planning: a shorter route that starts and finishes in the village, and a longer circular route in the surrounding area. The Aclare Road and Forest Walk is another option: it passes through Kilmacteige before returning to Aclare.

Lough Talt brings together further nature and leisure interests. The lake’s varied birdlife includes wild ducks, swans and dippers; sightings are seasonal and vary. The lake is also a fishing destination and has a rich stock of brown trout. Fishing regulations and access arrangements may change, so check them before fishing. Frenchman’s Grave is also in the area, on Old Gorterslin Road, overlooking Lough Talt. At least three French soldiers are buried there.

Music and tradition in Aclare

Aclare has strong ties to traditional Irish music. Many notable musicians and singers come from this village in the south of County Sligo. The village also holds an annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. The programme may vary from year to year, so check the dates and details for the year of your trip. Music and the parade add a cultural dimension to planning a visit, distinct from the trails and riverside.

More to explore in County Sligo

County Sligo also offers distinctive cultural and landscape attractions. Carrowmore in County Sligo is Ireland’s largest and oldest collection of Neolithic tombs: more than 30 surviving monuments are almost 6,000 years old. This offers a very different sense of time from Aclare Bridge, which dates to around 1850. Sligo Abbey in County Sligo is a Dominican friary; extensive medieval remains survive from the church, sacristy and chapter house.

On the coast of County Sligo lies Streedagh Beach, a three-kilometre-long sandy beach between Streedagh Point and Connor’s Island. The dunes and estuary are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Surfing and windsurfing are possible in the coastal waters, while stand-up paddleboarding takes place in the sheltered estuary. Check sea conditions before taking part in watersports.

When looking for a holiday rental in Aclare, it is worth deciding what you want your trip to focus on: would you like to centre it on the village’s bridge, river, walking trails and musical traditions, or include a variety of landscape and cultural attractions across County Sligo? This will help you choose Aclare as a destination that suits your interests.

Discover more destinations: Ballygawley, Tobercurry, Riverstown, Carney, Templeboy, Ballymote, Ballisodare, Barroe.

For the wider travel overview: County Sligo.