Description
Ballintogher is located approximately 8 kilometers from Sligo. The village was located near the Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway which closed in 1957. Plans are now to turn this old railway in a greenway which will benefit Ballintogher and its surrounding communities.
Each year, the Ballintogher festival takes place in late October/early November. This traditional music festival was established in 1998 to honour the memory of renowned local flute player, John Egan. Traditional music, song, dance were prominent in Lavally, a townland in Ballintogher.
Each year, the Ballintogher festival takes place in late October/early November. This traditional music festival was established in 1998 to honour the memory of renowned local flute player, John Egan. Traditional music, song, dance were prominent in Lavally, a townland in Ballintogher.
Location
Public Transportation
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Ballintogher can be reached from Sligo by bus 566 (Sligo to Dowra). With a regular service, the route is serviced by TFI Local Link.
Website: www.locallinkdsl.ie Tel: 0749741644 |
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Walking in Ballintogher
Ballintogher Walking Trail
The Ballintogher trail is bordered by hedgerows containing a variety of native and non-native plants that support a wide diversity of animals. The walk takes you along fields opening to views towards Slish Wood. Information signs are installed educating you on the different species of plants and animals that can be spotted along the trail.
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Slish Wood (8km)
Slish Wood is located 4.6km from Ballintogher. It is located on the shore of Lough Gill. Once a vast oak forest, many of the oak trees were cut during the 1940's. Some remain close to the shore of the lake. Nearby the car park is a small river which lends itself perfect to have a picnic. There is a nice looped walk that brings you close to the lake shore.
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Ballintogher Festival
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The Ballintogher Traditional Music Festival was established in 1998 to honour the memory of renowned local flute player, John Egan. Traditional music, song and dance were prominent in Lavally, a townland in Ballintogher, over many years with musicians and musical instruments in virtually every house.The Festival is held annually in Ballintogher in late October early November. The Festival features an annual Feis, traditional concert, céili, Irish night, set dancing night, commemoration of local musician John Egan, pub sessions, etc.
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Ballintogher Playground
You can find Ballintogher playground in the village. With slides, climbing frames, swings,... it will keep the kids entertained for a couple of hours.
Cashelore Stone Fort
Just outside Ballintogher, as your coming from Slish wood there is a turn off, blink and you miss it road, that winds its way up to a hill which hides Cashelore. A signposted path brings you to the fort in approximately 5 minutes.
The stone Cashel on a small steep hill, would have been used between 500-1000 AD, built mainly as a farmstead to protect animals from raiders and wild animals such as wolves.
This is an excellent example of a cashel or stone fort, which was painted by Wakeman on 30 October 1880. It is also called Cashel Bir or Bawnboy.
The oval shaped cashel is 23m in diameter east to west and 16m north to south with 3m thick walls that are 2.4m high externally. Parts of the base of the wall protrude in parts of the external wall. This is to stabilise the wall foundations because of the steepness of the hill the cashel is located on. The entrance is to the east-northeast and is 1.2m wide but is partially blocked by fallen stones from the south of the entrance. A ramp appears to lead up to the entrance from an area of slightly elevated ground. Two large flagstones appear in the centre of the grass-covered interior.
A record from 1891 mentions the existence of a souterrain within the wall, which apparently led to the bottom of the hill and a number of skeletons were frequently found outside the fort.
The stone Cashel on a small steep hill, would have been used between 500-1000 AD, built mainly as a farmstead to protect animals from raiders and wild animals such as wolves.
This is an excellent example of a cashel or stone fort, which was painted by Wakeman on 30 October 1880. It is also called Cashel Bir or Bawnboy.
The oval shaped cashel is 23m in diameter east to west and 16m north to south with 3m thick walls that are 2.4m high externally. Parts of the base of the wall protrude in parts of the external wall. This is to stabilise the wall foundations because of the steepness of the hill the cashel is located on. The entrance is to the east-northeast and is 1.2m wide but is partially blocked by fallen stones from the south of the entrance. A ramp appears to lead up to the entrance from an area of slightly elevated ground. Two large flagstones appear in the centre of the grass-covered interior.
A record from 1891 mentions the existence of a souterrain within the wall, which apparently led to the bottom of the hill and a number of skeletons were frequently found outside the fort.
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The Lake Isle of Innisfree
The Lake Isle of Innisfree is located approximately 6 km from Ballintogher. The Lake Isle of Innisfree is a small island located in Lough Gill, one of County Sligo's largest lakes.
The island, although small, is famous for being an inspiration to Ireland’s greatest poet William Butler Yeats and features in his poem ‘The Lake Isle of Innisfree".
The Isle of Innisfree is part of the Sligo Yeats Trail (Yeats Trail No. 09 - Innisfree - CHOOSE SLIGO ), but is also a great starting point to walk the boardwalk section of the Sligo Way towards Slish Wood.
The island, although small, is famous for being an inspiration to Ireland’s greatest poet William Butler Yeats and features in his poem ‘The Lake Isle of Innisfree".
The Isle of Innisfree is part of the Sligo Yeats Trail (Yeats Trail No. 09 - Innisfree - CHOOSE SLIGO ), but is also a great starting point to walk the boardwalk section of the Sligo Way towards Slish Wood.
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For the Community
The Ballintogher Enterprise Centres provides a remote working hub to the community - Link
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Ballintogher Community Hall is used for many different events ranging from Halloween Disco's to meetings.
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Ballintogher recycling centre is located beside the Ballintogher Enterprise centre
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The Innisfree Bar
The Innisfree Bar is one of Sligo's most established public houses in County Sligo.
Located in the village of Ballintogher, The Innisfree Bar is best known for their warm welcome, regular live music, sports and ambiance.
The pub, which is owned by Padraig, and its friendly staff are a magnet for both locals and visitors alike who love a chat, enjoy a drink, listen to live music or watch a match.
Located in the village of Ballintogher, The Innisfree Bar is best known for their warm welcome, regular live music, sports and ambiance.
The pub, which is owned by Padraig, and its friendly staff are a magnet for both locals and visitors alike who love a chat, enjoy a drink, listen to live music or watch a match.
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