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Heritage Ireland

Sligo Abbey

Where friars’ prayers echo among the ruins

17 March - 5 November 2023

See all opening times

Sligo Abbey

Where friars’ prayers echo among the ruins

17 March - 5 November 2023

See all opening times

Admission

Adult: €5.00
Group/Senior: €4.00
Child/Student: €3.00
Family: €13.00

Getting here

Abbey Street,
Sligo
F91 K796

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Sligo Abbey

This Dominican friary has dominated Sligo town centre since the mid-thirteenth century, when it was created by Maurice FitzGerald, the founder of the town itself. Some of the building from that period has survived the next nine centuries of turmoil.

The abbey was partially destroyed by burning in 1414, when it fell foul of an unattended candle, and suffered further mutilation following the Rebellion of 1641. According to legend, worshippers salvaged the abbey’s silver bell at that time and threw it into Lough Gill. You can hear it peal even now – provided, that is, that you are wholly free from sin.

Despite the ravages of history, the abbey contains a great wealth of carvings, including Gothic and Renaissance tomb sculpture, a well-preserved cloister and a sculptured fifteenth-century high altar – the only such altar to survive in an Irish monastic church.

Opening Times

17 Márta – 5 Samhain 2023

Go Laethúil 10:00- 18:00

Cead isteach deireanach 17:15

Contact

Abbey Street,
Sligo
F91 K796

071 914 6406

Getting Here

Located in the centre of Sligo town

Open location in Google Maps

Click the relevant icon below to open Maps directions

Facilities

  • Guided tours
  • Toilets
  • Wheelchair Accessible Toilet

Restrictions

  • Assistance dogs only
  • Limited Access
  • Uneven walkways

Resources

Social Guide

Download, print and read our social guide (PDF) about visiting Sligo Abbey. This will help first-time visitors, families and people with developmental and learning disabilities to prepare for a visit to Sligo Abbey.

Download the Social Guide

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