Ballymote: Castle, History and Brewery Culture

Ballymote can be explored through two distinct highlights: the Anglo-Norman castle with its distinctive layout, and The White Hag Brewery with its guided tour and tasting. A circular trail links historic sites in the town; the abbey ruins, mill and theatre offer further chapters in its history. When choosing a holiday rental, you can decide whether local history, a walk or the brewery experience should shape your stay.

Ballymote Castle: Architecture and Manuscript History

Ballymote Castle is an Anglo-Norman castle west of the town of Ballymote, right next to the railway station. Its layout is almost square. The entrance is in the centre of the north wall, between two three-storey twin towers. A tower stands at each corner of the curtain wall; a D-shaped tower is set in the centre of both the east and west walls. The walls are 3 m thick—a striking feature of the castle.

The castle is also connected with the town’s cultural history: parts of the Book of Ballymote were written at Ballymote Castle around 1391. The texts it contains include Lebor Gabála, Lebor na gCeart, Ogham writing, Dinshenchas and The Destruction of Troy. Ballymote Castle is protected under the Irish National Monuments Acts of 1930 to 2014.

The castle is fully accessible; there is a grassy area inside. Admission is free. As conditions at the site may change, check them before your visit.

Circular Trail and Historic Sites

The Ballymote Heritage Trail is a circular route linking historic sites in Ballymote. This easy urban walking route follows country roads and paths without waymarkers. The route starts at a roadside car park, is 4 km long and includes 10 m of elevation gain; walking time is about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Bear in mind that the route is unmarked when planning your navigation, and check current route and access conditions before setting out.

One historic site in its own right is the ruins of the Franciscan friary, locally known as The Abbey. It is in the park and surrounded by an old cemetery. The ruins of the old Corn Mill date back to a mill built by Sir Jocelyn Gore Booth in 1795, which served as a centre for grain milling in the 19th century. Emlaghfad Church is a detached stone Church of Ireland church, built in 1818. Ballymote’s Art Deco theatre was first built in 1947. Near Ballymote Town Park, the Ireland National Memorial commemorates the Fighting 69th and the victims of September 11.

A Brewery Experience at the Barrel House

A guided tasting of three fresh White Hag beers in the Barrel House taproom follows a guided tour of The White Hag Brewery in Ballymote. The purpose-built Barrel House is also a social meeting place in the heart of the brewery; fresh White Hag beers are served there straight from the brewery. Reservations and availability may change, so check the operator’s current information before travelling.

County Sligo: Coast and Megalithic Culture

The wider destination of County Sligo has other distinct themes to explore. Carrowmore is Ireland’s largest and oldest collection of Neolithic tombs: more than 30 surviving monuments are almost 6,000 years old. Streedagh Beach is a 3 km-long sandy beach between Streedagh Point and Connor's Island. Its dunes and estuary are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Surfing and windsurfing are possible in the coastal waters; stand-up paddleboarding takes place in the sheltered estuary. Check sea conditions before taking part in water sports. This sets Ballymote’s castle and local history apart from County Sligo’s distinct focus on the coast and megalithic culture.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Cloonacool, Templeboy, Sligo, Ballygawley, Easky, Geevagh, Mullaghmore, Drumcliff.

To the wider travel overview: County Sligo.