Ballymote (Baile an Mhóta in Irish) is a town in County Sligo, Ireland.

Map of Ballymote

Understand

Ballymote is a growing market town in south County Sligo, in the west of Ireland. It is an historic town, with Ballymote Castle, built by Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster, dating from 1300.

Get in

Ballymote is on the main train line from Dublin to Sligo, with 8 trains daily each way. It is approximately 20 minutes South of Sligo, via the N4 (Dublin road), N17 (Galway Road) and R293 roads.

Get around

As Ballymote is only a small village (population of 1,229 according to the 2006 census) you could walk around it in a very short time. The general Ballymote area, however, is inaccessible without some other form of transport, mostly car or bike, both of which can be hired in Sligo, only 15 miles away.

See

Ballymote Castle, as seen from the nearby public park

• 1 Ballymote Castle, Tubbercurry Rd (R296) (take the R296 road, (signposted to Tubbercurry and Ballina) less than half a mile outside the town, opposite the train station), ☏ +353 71 918-3992 (Enterprise Centre Grattan Street). M-F 09:00-17:00. Although there are now no traces of the interior domestic buildings, you can see inside the very impressive walls of this early 14th century keepless castle. There are no guides, so you show yourself around. Do ask at the Enterprise Centre for the information leaflet. Small refundable deposit required for key. 
• 2 Fighting 69th Monument, Ballymote Park, Sligo Road (R294) (on the entrance into Ballymote from Sligo (R294 road)). open all hours. Ireland's national monument commemorating Ballymote-born General Michael Corcoran and the Fighting 69th Infantry regiment of the US Civil War. The monument also includes a small chamber set flush with the ground, which contains a piece of steel from the World Trade Center. This was donated by the parents of firefighter Michael Lynch, who perished in the attack, and who was from the local area. A visitor's book is available in the Coach House Hotel in ballymote, a five minute walk from the monument. Free. (updated Oct 2017)

Monument to the Fighting 69th Regiment and Brigadier General Michael Corcoran, who was born near Ballymote

Do

• 1 Eagles Flying (Irish Raptor Research Centre), Portinch (at the Fighting 69th Monument, go up hilll, follow road for about 2.5 miles, Eagles flying on left), ☏ +353 71 918-9310. From April 1st to November 7th inclusive: 10:30-12:30, 14:30-16:30. Flying Demonstrations take place at 11:00 and 15:00. Ireland's largest sanctuary for owls and birds of prey. Many different species of eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures, Etc. During Flying Demonstrations, handlers and scientists inform about the biology and role of raptors in nature. Birds fly over your head, you may even get the chance to touch some of these princes of the skies. Adult: €9, Child (3-16): €5.5, Child under 3: free, student (with ID): €8, Family (2Ad+2Ch): €27 (€4.5 per extra child) and special group rates. Bookings generally not necessary, but for large groups (50 or more) let them know in advance. (updated Oct 2017)
• Annual Ballymote Heritage Weekend. A variety of events held over the bank holiday weekend in August each year (updated Jun 2017)
• 2 Gillighan's World (Knocknashee Ancient Hill Fort), Knocknashee (Signposted from N17 road), ☏ +353 71 91 30286, info@gillighansworld.ie. Seasonal; closed winter.. Miniature villages, Faerie botanical gardens, views and a restaurant (updated Oct 2017)
• 3 Town Park (Ballymote Park) (R293 towards sligo at junction of road to Temple House after the petrol station). Town park contains a childrens play area and is the start of the Ballymote Heritage Trail Free. (updated Oct 2017)
• 4 The White Hag Brewery, The White Hag Ballymote Co Sligo (Take R296 Tubercurry road then first right over the railway bridge. Or 5 minutes walk from railway station.), Amy@thewhitehag.com. By appointment (a few days notice required). Tour of microbrewery of ale, beer, stout, IPA and lager. €10. (updated Oct 2017)

Eat

• The B1 Diner, Lord Edward St (AKA The Rock), ☏ +353 71 918-3002. Good quality cafe, coffee, scones, sandwiches, etc. 
• Ballymote Oriental Restaurant, Lord Edward St (AKA The Rock), ☏ +353 71 918-3490. Tasty Chinese food, great service, with sit down restaurant upstairs. 

Drink

• 1 Doddy's Lounge, Grattan St, ☏ +353 71 918-3525. Good pub, friendly staff, big screen for sporting occasions. Busiest on Friday and Saturday nights, but often empties later as crowds go elsewhere to clubs. (updated Oct 2017)
• Hayden's, Lord Edward St, ☏ +353 71 918-3188. Good old-fashioned looking pub, great Guinness. Regular traditional music, singing and story-telling sessions. 

Sleep

• Coach House Hotel, Grattan St (at the Church of Ireland in the middle of the town, take the Castlebaldwin Road keeping the church on your left, hotel is 200 metres on your right), ☏ +353 71 918-3111, fax: +353 71 918-3172, coachhousehotel@eircom.net. Wonderful food with very friendly staff. 
• Temple House (at the Fighting 69th monument, go up the hill, go past Eagles Flying, turn right at T-junction, then travel about half a mile further, Temple House on Left.), ☏ +353 71 918-3329, fax: +353 71 918-3808, mail2007@templehouse.ie. Has hotel accommodation and self-catering in lodges on the grounds. Also cater to groups and parties. 
• Mill House Bed and Breakfast (Millhouse), Keenaghan (from the centre of town, with the Church of Ireland on your left, continue down the hill towards Boyle Road. At junction, drive straight through and house is 100 metres up hill, on the left), ☏ +353 71 918-3449, info@sligo-accommodation.com. 
• 1 Temple House (Temple House Manor and Castle), Ballinacarrow, ☏ +353 71 918-3329. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 11:00. Temple House, in Sligo, is a classical Georgian mansion set in a private estate of over 1,000 acres, overlooking a 13th century lakeside castle of the Knights Templar. The Perceval family home since 1665, the present manor was redesigned in 1864 and enjoys the authentic and unpretentious country house atmosphere. 75-85 pps. 
• 2 Coopershill, Riverstown F52 EC52, ☏ +353 71 916 5108, reservations@coopershill.com. Sumptuous Georgian country house hotel with first-rate dining. Open Apr-Oct. No dogs. B&B double from €240. (updated May 2020)