Sligo is a unique county that offers visitors almost everything imaginable: ocean, mountains, waterfalls, lakes, rivers and castles. In my previous blogs, we explored Sligo’s coastline and mountain landscapes, so today it is time to discover the lake and castle.
I invite you to join me in the journey to the border between counties Sligo & Leitrim where we will visit an ancient Parke’s Castle and enjoy a boat tour on the Lough Gill, the lake celebrated in poems of the great W.B.Yeats.
Our adventure begins with a scenic drive along the lake with two incredible view points, where you can stop to enjoy the beauty of Lough Gill and take some memorable pictures.
After a quick stop and a short drive we arrive at our final destination: Parkes Castle. Right beside the castle is a small pier, where the boat “Rose of Innisfree” awaits to welcome us onboard. But where does the boat’s name come from? It was inspired by the famous poem “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” W.B.Yeats. The poem expresses a strong wish to leave a gray city and go to live on a small inhabitant island in county Sligo.
During the sailing you will enjoy fantastic landscapes of the lake with its islands. The skipper will share fascinating stories about the lake, local myths & legends as well as interesting historical facts. Lough Gill lake is home for 16 islands and you will see some of them on the route, including the famous Innisfree island. To make your journey even more comfortable, there is a little onboard bar where you can buy drinks & snacks.
At the end of the journey the skipper invites visitors to see the wheelhouse and take some pictures, giving everyone a chance to feel like a captain for a moment.
I have taken the tour twice and each experience was completely different. The first time I got lucky with the weather. I saw it in the sunshine which revieled Lough Gill in all its vibrant colors. The second time the weather was cloudy and raining. But even in this grey and moody weather the trip was just as enjoyable and Lough Gill revealed a completely different character: mysterious, atmospheric and even magical. Standing on the deck and looking at the dark water I couldn't help but imagine the legendary Lough Gill monster emerging from between the waves. So if the weather isn’t perfect and you are wondering whether to take the trip, my advice is simple: go anyway! Lough Gill is beautiful in every season and under every sky.
The cruise lasts about one hour and tours operate throughout the whole year. During the summer months it is sometimes possible to begin the tour from Doorley Park Pier in Sligo. The Rose of Innisfree is also available for private charters, making it an excellent choice for special occasions, group outings, or corporate events. For more information, please, visit the official website: https://roseofinnisfree.com/
Once the boat trip is over, it’s time to visit the castle. Beautifully situated on the shore of Lough Gill lake, Parke's Castle is one of the most impressive historical landmarks of the region. The castle was owned by Parke’s family till the end of the 17th century. After that the castle became inhabited and started ruining. Between 1980 and 1988 an extensive restoration project brought the castle back to life and it opened its doors for visitors in 1990.
The castle was built on the site of a 15th century- tower house that once belonged to Sir Brian O’Rourke, the Lord of West Breifne, who was executed in London at the end of 16th century. Today visitors can explore the castle grounds viewing a display of 17th century costumes and forniture replicas and enjoy the Lough Gill view from the castle’s walls.
Guided tours are available in the castle, giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about the castle's rich history. Parke’s castle is open seasonally. For opening times and admission tickets, please, visit the official website: https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/parkes-castle/
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Kq1aQdWJ8DJDVLoy6
Directions from Sligo Park Hotel: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jpqTCKbtXqdEwsfg7
