Drumcliff at the foot of Benbulben

Drumcliff brings together a striking early Christian heritage, the memory of W. B. Yeats and its location at the foot of Benbulben. Drumcliffe Round Tower and Drumcliffe High Cross are among the town’s historic sights; St Columba’s Church and Yeats’ grave add religious and literary history. During your visit, you can choose between architecture, historic monastic associations and the surrounding landscape.

High Cross and Round Tower

Drumcliffe Round Tower dates from the 11th century. It is a state-owned National Monument, cared for by the Office of Public Works. Drumcliffe High Cross stands in the cemetery opposite the Round Tower: a fully intact sandstone high cross, 3.83 metres high. Its depiction of the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child makes it distinctive: it is the only known high cross in Ireland with this motif.

The story of its re-erection is also part of the site’s history. John Yeats re-erected the high cross during his tenure as rector of Drumcliffe, from 1811 to 1842. When you look at the monument, several historical layers come together: its medieval form, the unusual scene depicted and a later chapter in its history in the 19th century.

St Columba’s Church and W. B. Yeats

St Columba’s Church was built in 1809 and remains an active church. A mural painted in 1895 is on its east wall. Remains of ancient high stone crosses, found on the early medieval monastic site, are also set into its walls. These architectural details tell different chapters of Drumcliff’s religious history, while the church remains more than just a historical landmark. It is associated with annual nativity scenes and harvest festivals; their recurrence may vary.

The grave of Irish poet W. B. Yeats lies in Drumcliffe Cemetery, right beside the church’s entrance door. Drumcliff is his burial place. Those interested in literature will find a tangible connection to Yeats here; the audio guide broadens the focus to religion, legends, literature, W. B. Yeats and culture. It features local voices and includes a map of the site. Visitors can explore the grounds independently. The audio guide is available in English, French, German, Polish, Italian, Spanish and Mandarin; check language availability before your trip.

Getting your bearings

Drumcliffe Cemetery is on the main road between Sligo and Donegal. Access to the Round Tower is via a busy main road, so take particular care of traffic when finding your way around. The monastic site is about a ten-minute drive from Sligo Town; actual journey times depend on traffic. Check the latest visitor information for the site and audio guide before you travel.

More places to explore in County Sligo

If you look beyond Drumcliff to the wider destination of County Sligo, you’ll find other places with their own distinct appeal. Carrowmore is Ireland’s largest and oldest collection of Neolithic tombs: more than 30 surviving monuments are almost 6,000 years old. Sligo Abbey offers a different historical perspective, with extensive medieval remains of the church, sacristy and chapter house.

The coastline of County Sligo offers a different kind of landscape experience. Streedagh Beach is a three-kilometre sandy beach connecting Streedagh Point with Connor’s Island. Its sand dunes and estuary are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Surfing and windsurfing are possible in the coastal waters; stand-up paddleboarding takes place in the sheltered estuary. Check the relevant conditions before taking part in activities.

Discover more destinations: Collooney, Cliffony, Easky, Templeboy, Gorteen, Barroe, Geevagh, Aclare

For the wider travel overview: County Sligo.