Templeboy: Church, Sligo Way and Aughris

Templeboy combines distinctive church architecture with a section of the Sligo Way that crosses the high ground above the village. There are also coastal paths, beaches and historic sites in Aughris. This gives you a choice when planning your holiday between inland routes and coastal experiences, with very different landscapes and stories.

Church architecture and trails near Templeboy

The Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception is a detached stone Roman Catholic church built around 1870. Its cruciform plan is defined by a five-bay nave, transepts and a projecting chancel. If you are interested in church architecture, this is a concrete example of how the building’s form is made up of these individual parts. The church thus provides a cultural highlight alongside the area’s nature and walking experiences.

A section of the Sligo Way runs along minor roads and paths through the high ground of Templeboy to Ladies Brae and Lough Achree. The route therefore does not follow just one type of path: minor roads are part of the described route, as are paths. If you would like to include the Sligo Way in your trip, you can treat this section as a hike in its own right and include the places mentioned in your day’s plans. No distance or walking time is specified.

Coastal walks and beaches in Aughris

The Aughris Coastal Walk offers another way to experience the area on foot. It is approximately 4 km long, has a moderate incline and follows gravel and grass paths. These features can help you decide whether the walk matches your own idea of a coastal hike. The route is suitable for families and passes the Promontory Fort. It starts at the car park of the Beach Bar at Dunmoran Strand, Aughris.

If you prefer a beach walk to a hike, you can stroll along the sandy beaches of Aughris and Dunmoran. There is also a coastal cliff path on Aughris Head. From there, the view extends over the beaches of Aughris and Dunmoran, Sligo Bay and Knocknarea Mountain. There are several ways to enjoy the coast: a roughly four-kilometre walk with a moderate incline, a stroll along the sandy beach or a path along the cliffs.

Stories along the coast

Aughris Promontory Fort is locally known as O’Toole’s Castle. Today, only a mound remains of this Iron Age coastal fortification; the Aughris Coastal Walk passes by it. The site therefore combines a visible feature in the landscape with a long history, although the original structure no longer survives in full.

Aughris Lookout Post also tells a story of watching over the sea. It was numbered 67 and manned by seven men, mostly local volunteers. They kept watch to warn of attacks or report military sightings. St. Patrick’s Well is associated with a different religious tradition: pilgrims have been coming there since Christian times to perform Stations of the Cross and say prayers. For those interested in cultural history, the coastal fortification, observation post and pilgrimage site offer different ways to explore the area’s history.

The Beach Bar, a 17th-century thatched pub, stands on the shore at Aughris. Local fishermen and watersports enthusiasts are active at Aughris Pier, where water safety courses are also held. These destinations complement walks and beach strolls with a historic place to stop and activities at the pier.

Choose the focus of your holiday

When looking for a holiday rental in Templeboy, you could first consider what you want your trip to focus on: the Sligo Way and church architecture near Templeboy, or the coastal paths, beaches and historic sites in Aughris. The right choice of location then depends on the destinations you actually want to include in your holiday.

More places to explore: Derry, Barroe, Cloghboley, Collooney, Drumcliff, Riverstown, Ballisodare and Aclare.

For the broader travel overview: County Sligo.