Description
Ballygawley is a small village approx. 10km from Sligo. Close by is Union Wood which is great for walking or mountain biking.
Within the village is a petrol station, a shop, a takeaway, hairdresser and 2 pubs. Close by is also Castle Dargan, a hotel which has a woodland golf course designed by Darren Clarke.
Ballygawley hosts every year the Ballygalwey Music Festival during July bringing some of the countries biggest stars to the stage.
Within the village is a petrol station, a shop, a takeaway, hairdresser and 2 pubs. Close by is also Castle Dargan, a hotel which has a woodland golf course designed by Darren Clarke.
Ballygawley hosts every year the Ballygalwey Music Festival during July bringing some of the countries biggest stars to the stage.
Location
Public Transportation
Public Transportation
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Ballygawley can be reached from Sligo by bus 566 (Sligo to Dowra). With a regular service, the route is serviced by TFI Local Link.
Bus stop: At petrol station Website: www.locallinkdsl.ie Tel: 0749741644 |
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Ballygawley can be reached from Sligo by bus 572 (Sligo to Ballinamore). With a regular service, the route is serviced by TFI Local Link.
Bus stop: At petrol station Website: www.locallinkdsl.ie Tel: 0749741644 |
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Walking in Ballygawley
Walking in Ballygawley
Ballygawley community park walk
Within Ballygawley community park is a looped track that is illuminated during the evening. This very popular track can be used winter and summer and has gym equipment as well
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Union Wood
Union wood is a beautiful forest located between Ballysodare and Ballygawley. Don't be surprised that you will meet a deer or see squirrels jumping from branch to branch.
A climb up to Dooney rock will reward you with amazing views towards Ballysodare bay and the Ox Mountains. For the Union Rock walk, you need to follow the red arrows. During the walk, you pass Union Wood Special Area of conservation. This area is one of the largest remaining native oak woodlands in the region. A lot of work has been done on enhancing this specific area.
The path leading up to the summit of Union rock has been improved and is now a wooden walkway to the top. From the top of Union Rock, you have views towards Knocknarea and Benbulben.
A climb up to Dooney rock will reward you with amazing views towards Ballysodare bay and the Ox Mountains. For the Union Rock walk, you need to follow the red arrows. During the walk, you pass Union Wood Special Area of conservation. This area is one of the largest remaining native oak woodlands in the region. A lot of work has been done on enhancing this specific area.
The path leading up to the summit of Union rock has been improved and is now a wooden walkway to the top. From the top of Union Rock, you have views towards Knocknarea and Benbulben.
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The Sligo Way
Section# 6 of the Sligo Way brings you from Collooney towards Slish Wood. This section brings you through union Wood and along Slieve Dargan and Slieve Daeane.
Along the route, you can admire the stunning lake Lumman from where you can admire the beautiful vistas far and near.
Along the route, you can admire the stunning lake Lumman from where you can admire the beautiful vistas far and near.
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See & Do
Ballygawley music festival
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The annual music festival was founded in 2019 and has grown from strength to strength. Since its first year where the festival managed to attract 1800 people, the festival has grown into a large festival which attracts great artists and large crowds.
The aim of the event is to host a unique and diverse music event annually (over 18s) with any proceeds from the event going back into the development of the community park. The festival has seen artists like Johnny Brady, Derek Ryan, The Wisthlin Donkeys and many more gracing the stage during this 3-day festival. |
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Yeats Trail
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Just outside Ballygawley is beautiful Union Wood. Union Wood is a forest which is located in the Ballygawley Mountains, a low mountain range which is an extension of the Ox Mountains.
They include hills called Calliach a' Bhéara, Sliabh Deane, Sliabh Dargan and Aghamore Far. All these four have cairns at their summits. As per legend, the hills are associated with Cailleach Beara, the old woman of Beara. At Ballygawley lake, you find stop 12 of the Yeats Trail. From here, you can go on one of the many walks in Union wood or enjoy a picnic at the lake. |
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The passage tombs in the Ballygawley mountain range
Within the Ballygawley mountain range are four neolithic monuments (passage graves), one on each of the highest points. These four summits are Slieve Dargan, Slieve Daeane, Aghamore Far and the Cailleach's House with each having a neolithic cairn on its summit.
Slieve Daeane:
The cairn on the summit is the highest of the for located at 275m above sea level. The cairn is about 15 meters in diameter and 2 meters in height. There is no sign of kerb stones or a chamber, but there must be some form of passage grave. On top is a concrete Ordnance Survey pillar
Slieve Dargan:
This Cairn is 263m above sea level and is approx 15 meters in diameter.
Aghamore Far:
This is the smallest cairn of the four with a cairn diameter of 10 meter
Cailleach a Vera's House:
Located about 215 meters above sea level, this cairn is about 16 meters in diameter.
Slieve Daeane:
The cairn on the summit is the highest of the for located at 275m above sea level. The cairn is about 15 meters in diameter and 2 meters in height. There is no sign of kerb stones or a chamber, but there must be some form of passage grave. On top is a concrete Ordnance Survey pillar
Slieve Dargan:
This Cairn is 263m above sea level and is approx 15 meters in diameter.
Aghamore Far:
This is the smallest cairn of the four with a cairn diameter of 10 meter
Cailleach a Vera's House:
Located about 215 meters above sea level, this cairn is about 16 meters in diameter.
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For the community
For the Community
Ballygawley community park is home to Ballygawley Celtic. With gym equipment, a looped walk, a tennis court and basketball hoop, it's the perfect spot for an active few hours
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Picnic opportunities can be found in Ballygawley community park and Union wood. In the community park, the picnic benches are under a canopy protecting you from the rain or sun.
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Ballygawley FC is a community-run soccer club based in Ballygawley, The club provides training and the teams participate in matches.
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