Drumcliffe is a place of history, heritage, and warm welcomes. The Drumcliffe Church Tourism Development Committee is dedicated to preserving and enhancing this sacred site, ensuring that visitors from near and far can experience its beauty, history, and deep cultural significance for generations to come.
Drumcliffe churchyard is open to visitors all year round and St. Columba’s church is open daily during the peak visitor season. This important site is home to;
- The final resting place of poet WB Yeats – Ireland’s first Nobel prize winner
- The ancient High Cross
- St Columba’s Church
- The round Tower
Also on site is the beautiful Pink Clover café and Téach Bán art gallery.
WB Yeats clearly states where he was to be buried and though he initially was buried in France great efforts were made to repatriate him to the Sligo he loved.
WB Yeats’s is close connection to Sligo is immortalised in his poems and stories that and his vast array of work that continues to inspire contemporary writers today, Yeats also continues to intrigue and be the focus of debate, and whether you are familiar with the works of this Irish Poet Laureate, it really doesn’t matter, there is always someone close by to tell you a story about a life full of magic, mystery, accomplishment, lost loves, this great driving force behind the Irish literacy revival.
Once known as Drumcliffe of the Crosses, Drumcliffe Churchyard is open all year round, with St. Columba’s Church open daily during peak season. This ancient monastic site, founded by St. Columba (St. Colmcille), dates back to 574AD, with tales passed down for over a thousand years.
In a time before books, the gospels were carved into stone, and the monks who served the monastery continued this sacred tradition. The last standing High Cross here stands as a testament to that history. Sligo’s only round tower provides an insight to monastic life and traditions.
What you will experience
You will experience an insight into Irish history, culture and folklore – all under the shadow of the majesty of Benbulben mountain. You will learn about this incredibly important site through guided tours or the audio tour that is available in multiple languages.
You can enjoy various events throughout the year and see fantastic creativity in Téach Bán art gallery before refuelling at the gorgeous Pink Clover cafe.
More info…
- Admission fees: Paid Admission
- Open: Year-round
- Suitable for younger children: Yes
- Indoor facilities: Yes
- Gift shop: On-site
- Dining/refreshments: The cafe offers pastries and cakes, including a wide range of gluten-free and dairy-free cakes. Be sure to try the home made Kefir in Pink Clover cafe.
- Guide dogs: Permitted.
- Toilets: On-site.
- Groups: Groups are welcome with prior booking.
- Accessibility: Fully accessible.
- Parking: Free car park and free coach parking on site.
About Drumcliffe
Drumcliffe sits under the majestic Benbulben Mountain and is just north of Sligo town on the Wild Atlantic Way. It is famous for being the final resting place of poet WB Yeats – Ireland’s first Nobel prize winner. The ancient site at St Columba’s was an important monastic site and the High Cross and Round Tower are well worth a look if you want to explore and understand Irish history more.
In Irish Drumcliffe is called Droim Chliabh, meaning ‘ridge of the baskets’.
Location
Get your personalised Sligo itinerary in seconds.
