The area around Derry is home to very different traces of Irish history: a fortified stone house, a castle on the route through the Curlew Mountains, Sligo Folk Park in Riverstown and a prehistoric passage tomb near Lough Arrow. Together, these places span everything from defensive architecture and rural life to a much older monumental form.

Fortified Houses and Castle History

Castlebaldwin is a relatively well-preserved fortified house dating from the 17th century. The two-storey stone house was built around 1625 and is a National Monument under state care. A square tower stands at the southern end of the west façade; a machicolation is located above the entrance. Projecting chimneys survive on the gables, as do fireplaces inside. The roof is missing.

The construction history of Ballinafad Castle goes back further: Sir Richard Bingham had it built in 1590 to protect the route through the Curlew Mountains, the Curlew Pass. The four-storey castle has a rectangular main block and four round corner towers. The chimneys on the east and north towers survive. The two buildings therefore differ both in their form and in their documented histories.

Rural Life at Sligo Folk Park

Sligo Folk Park in Riverstown offers insights into rural life and Irish heritage. The museum and exhibition hall house collections on rural history and agricultural artefacts. Visitors can explore the buildings, exhibits and displays with the help of an audio guide.

The park is located on the grounds of the authentically restored Millview House. George Reid, a farmer, shoemaker and church caretaker, had the house built in the 1850s. A recreated Irish village street, with life-size shopfronts on both sides, is another part of the exhibition. The McGee Building displays rural artefacts from the McGee Collection, as well as the Hands Exhibition on traditional Irish crafts. With its wooden butter churns, ceramic vessels and other exhibits, the Dairy House illustrates the production of milk and butter in rural Ireland.

Mrs Buckley’s Thatched Cottage has a story of its own. The replica dates from 1994 and was first displayed at the Beat on the Peat Festival in Yonkers, New York. It was then shown at festivals across Ireland before finding a permanent home at Sligo Folk Park. It is known as the “World’s Most Travelled Cottage.”

You can also take a break for food during your visit to the park: the Millstone Café & Deli at Sligo Folk Park serves freshly prepared food and drinks to enjoy on site or take away.

Exploring Riverstown on Foot and Planning Your Visit

The Riverstown Heritage Trail is a circular route around Riverstown, also known as Baile Idir Dhá Abhainn—“place between two rivers.” Signs along the route provide historical information. The trail offers a distinct way to learn about the village’s history, while the Folk Park presents rural heritage through buildings and collections.

Riverstown is located directly on the M4 motorway between Dublin and Sligo and is also served by a Local Link transport service. If you plan to use the service for your journey, check the current timetable. Riverstown also has a long tradition of Irish traditional music. The James Morrison Festival attracts music lovers from around the world every year; check the specific event dates if you would like to plan your trip around it.

Lough Arrow and Prehistoric Traces

The places around Lough Arrow also reveal different aspects of the landscape. Ballinafad overlooks the lake, while the ruins of Ballinafad Castle tower above the village. The Lough Arrow Special Area of Conservation (001673) is located in County Roscommon and County Sligo.

Near the northern end of Lough Arrow, Heapstown Cairn sits on a gentle rise. The passage tomb is 62 metres wide and lies about 500 metres east of the River Uinshin. Its location and unusual width set it apart from the fortified houses and castles in the surrounding area. Those choosing culture and history for a trip to Derry will find several distinct themes here—from prehistoric monumental architecture to collections about rural life.

Discover More Destinations

Tiratick, Ballisodare, Cloonacool, Castlebaldwin, Barroe, Inishcrone, Ballaghnatrillick, Lavagh

Back to the main travel overview: County Sligo.