Cloghboley: Court Tomb, Tower and Pastureland

Cloghboley combines traces of archaeology with distinctive building forms and open pastureland. Cloghboley Court Tomb and the design of a souterrain illustrate different monumental forms; a 19th-century tower and a cashel on a ridge add their own distinctive features.

Court Tomb, Souterrain and Tower

Cloghboley Court Tomb lies on pastureland immediately south of the road between Maugherow Church and the post office in Cloghbooley, on the north side of Drumcliff Bay. It is a small example of the central court type. The souterrain is described differently: it appears to consist of two separate pairs of underground chambers, accessible through different openings at the surface. Thus, two distinct archaeological forms stand side by side in Cloghboley.

John's Port provides an architectural contrast. The detached, plastered tower has a single-bay plan and three storeys; it was built around 1840. By contrast, Cloghboley Cashel lies on pastureland on a ridge and offers open views in several directions. The area’s features thus range from underground chambers and a tomb type to a tower and an open hilltop setting.

This gives you a clear focus when choosing a destination: if you are especially interested in archaeological forms and historic buildings, the Court Tomb, souterrain and John's Port offer specific points of interest. The cashel adds the landscape to this picture. This mix can help you decide whether Cloghboley suits the holiday themes you have planned for your holiday rental.

County Sligo: More Cultural and Coastal Experiences

The wider destination of County Sligo offers other, distinct ideas for planning your holiday. Carrowmore is Ireland’s largest and oldest collection of Neolithic tombs: more than 30 monuments remain, and they are almost 6,000 years old. The Carrowkeel megalithic complex includes tombs that are more than 5,000 years old and may be explored by visitors. The tombs must not be climbed on or damaged.

The cultural attractions also offer different experiences. Sligo Abbey is a Dominican friary with extensive surviving medieval remains of the church, sacristy and chapter house. Sligo Folk Park features reconstructed village streets, cottages and a schoolhouse, as well as twelve exhibitions about rural Ireland. Together, these examples range from medieval monastic remains to staged insights into life in the countryside in the past.

County Sligo’s coastal attractions include Streedagh Beach. The three-kilometre sandy beach connects Streedagh Point with Connor's Island; its dunes and an 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. At the beach, the Spanish Armada Visitor Centre tells the story of the wreck and its sole survivor through recovered artefacts and immersive exhibitions. Check the current opening arrangements before travelling.

Mullaghmore Head is a well-known surf spot in County Sligo; a walking route also follows the coast there. Check surf conditions before taking part and local conditions before hiking. Lissadell House & Gardens, on the shore of Sligo Bay in the north of Sligo, offers another combination of history and walks. The estate was the childhood home of Countess Markievicz; visitors can use its woodland and walking trails.

Food and boat trips add to the range of options. The Sligo Food Trail includes four weekly artisan and food markets; check the current market days before your trip. Enniscrone Boat Tours departs from Enniscrone Pier into Killala Bay: options include RIB safaris, one- and two-hour boat trips, and half-day and full-day sea safaris. At low tide, Coney Island can be reached from Rosses Point by car or on foot via a five-kilometre causeway. As access depends on the tide, check conditions before setting out.

Choose Accommodation Based on the Holiday You Want

Start your holiday rental search by considering the experiences you want to shape your days: Cloghboley’s archaeological forms and pastureland offer a distinctive local focus; the cultural, coastal and activity options mentioned above are part of the wider destination of County Sligo. For a trip by the sea, for example, the sheltered estuary activity at Streedagh Beach, the surfing and walking opportunities at Mullaghmore Head, and the different trip lengths from Enniscrone Pier each offer something different. Tide, conditions, schedules and opening hours are the practical details to check before visiting each place.

Discover more destinations: Drumcliff, Cloonacool, Collooney, Derry, Templeboy, Derrybeg, Riverstown and Strandhill.

Go to the wider travel guide: County Sligo.