A Guide To The Lough Gill Scenic Drive (Includes Maps)

Lough Gill isn’t just one of the most scenic drives in the northwest; it’s also the landscape that inspired one of W.B. Yeats’ best-known poems.

From the Lake Isle of Innisfree to the woods of Slish Wood and Dooney Rock, the Lough Gill Drive winds through places that shaped the imagination of Ireland’s greatest poet.

Along the way, you’ll explore peaceful forest trails, visit a 17th-century castle, discover one of Ireland’s most important holy wells and stop at viewpoints overlooking a lake dotted with around 20 islands.

Some quick need-to-knows about the Lough Gill Drive

It’s worth taking 20 seconds to scan the points below, first, as they’ll get you up-to-speed quickly!

1. Location

Lough Gill is a freshwater lake that straddles the border of Counties Sligo and Leitrim. It’s around a 10-minute drive from Sligo Town, 20 minutes from Rosses Point, 25 minutes from Strandhill and 30 minutes from Mullaghmore.

2. Plan for the walks

One of the reasons that I return to Lough Gill so frequently is the woodland walks. If the weather plays ball, I’d strongly recommend adding at least one in. They include:

• The longest trail: Hazelwood Forest (4.2km, 1.5 hours)
• Shorter trails: Slish Wood (3km, 1 hour) and Dooney Rock (1.2km, 30 minutes)

3. How long you’ll need for the drive

Although Lough Gill stretches for almost 8km and contains around 20 islands, you can drive the full loop in around an hour without stopping. If you plan on tackling any of the forest walks (you should!), allow half a day.

4. Important viewpoint warning

Many of the viewpoints sit on the opposite side of the road to the direction you’ll be driving. Several are also located on bends with solid white centre lines, so don’t attempt stop or cross the line to pull in. If you miss one, continue until you find a safe area to turn.

The Lough Gill Drive

If you’d prefer to follow a Google Map, I’ve created the one above to guide you around the lake. You don’t need to stop at every attraction to enjoy the drive, so feel free to pick and choose depending on how much time you have.

If you only make a handful of stops, I’d strongly recommend Creevelea Abbey, one of the best-preserved Franciscan friaries in Ireland, and Dooney Rock, where a short 30-minute walk rewards you with one of the finest views over Lough Gill.

 

Stop 1: Hazelwood Forest

Just 12 minutes from Sligo Town, Hazelwood Forest is the first stop on the Lough Gill Loop. Set on the western shore of the lake, it’s home to one of the finest woodland walks in Sligo.

The main loop is 4.2km long, takes around 1.5 hours to complete and follows well-maintained forest trails with views across the lake towards Church Island, Cottage Island and Goat Island.

There are shorter route options if you’re tight on time, along with a large car park and several picnic spots. Before leaving, take a moment to enjoy the views from Half Moon Bay, one of the most scenic spots on Lough Gill.

Stop 2: Colgagh Lough Viewpoint

Around 7 minutes from Hazelwood Forest, Colgagh Lough Viewpoint is the second stop on this road trip and it offers mighty views without any real effort.

As you make your way from Hazelwood, you’ll soon see a sign directing you right onto the Lough Gill Loop. Ignore it and continue straight, as this takes you up to the viewing area (you’ll join the loop shortly!).

There’s a small parking area beside the viewpoint (here on Maps) and an information board explaining the history of Colgagh Lough, the nearby churches and graveyard, and Deerpark Forest.

Stop 3: Parke’s Castle (Leitrim)

Parke’s Castle sits on Lough Gill’s northern shores. It is a restored early 17th century castle that was once the home of Robert Parke, the English planter.

Evidence of an earlier structure on the site is the remains of a tower house that was once owned by the lord of Breifne, Sir Brain O’Rourke, who fell foul of Queen Elizabeth I and English rule, and ended up being hanged for treason at Tyburn.

Interestingly enough, he was the first man to be extradited, having tried to seek help in Scotland from King James VI. The castle fell into disrepair in the late 17th century but was fully restored in the late 20th century using traditional Irish oak.

Fancy taking the tour? Parke’s Castle is open daily from mid-March to November, with admission costing €5 for adults, €4 for seniors, €3 for children/students and €13 for families.

Stop 4: Lunch in Dromahair

 

Dromahair is a good place to break up the drive. I’d previously always recommended the Stanford Village Inn for lunch, but several readers have since told me that food wasn’t available when they visited.

If you have a designated driver, it’s still worth stopping in for a drink, as it’s a characterful, family-run village pub that’s over 200 years old. If you’re looking for food instead, the nearby Riverbank Restaurant is a solid choice.

The Centra Shop is also handy if you’re after a coffee, deli lunch or supplies for a picnic later in the drive.

Stop 5: Creevelea Friary

When you leave Dromahair, take the 5-minute spin out to nearby Creevelea Abbey. Now, although I’ve done the Lough Gill Drive 2-or-3 times over the years, it wasn’t until Adrian Le Roux left a comment below recommending that I drop by Creevelea Abbey on my next visit.

So I did, and it didn’t disappoint! Founded in 1508, Creevelea Abbey is one of the best-preserved Franciscan friaries in Ireland and one of the most impressive historical stops on the Lough Gill Loop.

Set beside the River Bonet, the ruins include a church, cloister, chapter house and bell tower, with intricate stone carvings still visible more than 500 years later.

It was the last Franciscan friary founded in Ireland before Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries, giving it a unique place in Irish history. A very worthwhile stop – cheers Adrian!

Stop 6: Lake Isle of Innisfree

Next up is the Lake Isle of Innisfree, a 10-minute drive from the abbey. Arguably one of the best known of Sligo’s many attractions, this small, uninhabited island sits in the middle of Lough Gill and can’t be accessed on foot, although you can admire it from the shore or get a closer look on a boat tour.

It became world-famous after inspiring W.B. Yeats’ poem The Lake Isle of Innisfree, which he wrote in 1888 while living in London. Longing for the peace and solitude of Lough Gill, Yeats imagined returning to the island, helping turn this quiet patch of water into one of Ireland’s most recognisable literary landmarks.

Stop 7: Slish Wood

Around 13 minutes from the jetty, Slish Wood is home to one of the quieter walks around Lough Gill. The 3km loop takes around an hour to complete, following forest trails and lakeside paths with regular views across the water towards Benbulben and the Ox Mountains.

It’s part of the much longer Sligo Way, so you’ll have the option of continuing beyond the loop if you’re after a longer walk. The woods also have strong links to W.B. Yeats, who immortalised the area as ‘Sleuth Wood’ in The Stolen Child, while nearby Innisfree inspired one of his most famous poems.

Stop 8: Dooney Rock

Less than 5 minutes from the last stop, Dooney Rock is home to one of the shortest yet most rewarding walks around Lough Gill.

The 1.2km trail takes around 30 minutes to complete, climbing through woodland to the summit of Dooney Rock, where you’ll be treated to superb views across Lough Gill and its islands.

There’s a short but steep climb near the top, but it’s over quickly and the views are worth the effort. The area also inspired W.B. Yeats, whose poem The Fiddler of Dooney takes its name from the nearby rock.

Stop 9: Tobernalt Holy Well

Less than 5 minutes from Dooney Rock, Tobernalt Holy Well is one of Ireland’s most important pilgrimage sites. Hidden among mature woodland close to the shores of Lough Gill, the well has attracted pilgrims for centuries, with many believing its waters possess healing properties.

Even if you’re not visiting for religious reasons, it’s a peaceful place to wander, with stone pathways, moss-covered walls and a tranquil atmosphere.

If you’re visiting in late July, Garland Sunday sees hundreds gather here for open-air Masses, continuing a tradition that has endured for generations.

Unique ways to explore Lough Gill

If you don’t fancy tackling the Lough Gill Drive, don’t fret, there are some other unique ways to experience this place.

1. Take a boat tour

Boat tours depart from Sligo Town and follow the Garavogue River into Lough Gill, offering a different perspective of the lake and its wooded shoreline. Along the way, you’ll pass many of the places mentioned in this guide, including the famous Lake Isle of Innisfree, which you can admire from much closer than is possible from the shore.

2. See it from a kayak

Sligo Kayak Tours cover different parts of the lake depending on what the weather is like. You’ll be supplied with a kayak, paddle, lifejacket and spray deck, and the organisers recommend you dress in lightweight but warm outdoor clothing, and suitable footwear. You should also bring a full change of clothing.

Things to do near Lough Gill

One of the beauties of this spot is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best places to visit in Sligo.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from the lake (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).

1. Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery

Carrowmore is the largest cemetery of megalithic tombs in the country and is south-west of Sligo Town, in the Cúil Írra Peninsula. More than 30 stone tombs are sited here, most of them passage tombs and boulder circles. The origins of these ancient monuments are thought to go back as far as 4,000 BCE. There is also a restored stone cottage you can visit that houses an exhibition about the site and pre-historic Ireland.

2. Knocknarea

If you’re still feeling energetic, the Knocknarea walk is well worth doing. This is a large hill west of Sligo Town that is just over 320 metres in height. I’d also recommend considering The Glen (one of Sligo’s hidden gems).

3. Strandhill

If you’re not ready to call it a day, Strandhill is around a 20-minute drive away. Best known as one of Ireland’s top surfing destinations, it’s home to Strandhill Beach and several excellent cafés. There are also some great restaurants in Strandhill if you’re after a feed.

4. Coney Island

Coney Island is one of the more unusual places to visit near Lough Gill. Although it’s only around 1km from the mainland, getting there isn’t as straightforward as it looks. At low tide, you can drive across the beach via the marked causeway, but timings are crucial, as the route is completely covered by the sea at high tide. 

FAQs about the Lough Gill Drive

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from what there is to see on the Lough Gill drive to how long it takes.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

Is the Lough Gill Drive really worth doing?

Yes! This driving route takes in glorious scenery and some excellent, shot walking trails, so you can soak up senery from your seat and then as you stroll.

What are the best stops along the Lough Gill Drive?

If you follow the Google Map above, you’ll stop at Hazelwood Forest, Parke’s Castle, Dromahair (for lunch), the Lake Isle of Innisfree, Slish Wood and Dooney Rock.

How long does the Lough Gill Drive take?

It takes about 1 hour from start to finish, but allow a half day at least if you plan on doing the walks mentioned above.