The Lough Gill Drive

Frommer's Review

This 42km (26-mile) drive-yourself tour around Lough Gill is well signposted. Head 1.6km (1 mile) south of town and follow the signs for Lough Gill, the beautiful lake that figured so prominently in Yeats's writings. Within 3.2km (2 miles) you'll be on the lower edge of the shoreline. Among the sites are Dooney Rock, with its own nature trail and lakeside walk (inspiration for the poem "Fiddler of Dooney"); the Lake Isle of Innisfree, made famous in Yeats's poetry and in song; and the Hazelwood Sculpture Trail, a unique forest walk along the shores of Lough Gill, with 13 wood sculptures.

The storied Innisfree is one of 22 islands in Lough Gill. You can drive the whole lakeside circuit in less than an hour, or you can stop at the east end and visit Dromahair, a delightful village on the River Bonet, in County Leitrim. The road along Lough Gill's upper shore brings you back to the northern end of Sligo Town. Continue north on the main road (N15), and you'll see the graceful profile of Ben Bulben (519m/1,702 ft.), one of the Dartry Mountains, rising off to your right.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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