Sligo Abbey

The town of Sligo is home to a 13th century Dominican abbey in its town centre, known as the Sligo Abbey. This building is a true architectural marvel, open to visitors, to the delight of followers of medieval and religious architecture.

History of Sligo Abbey

Origins of the Abbey

The Abbey was built around the middle of the 13th century by Maurice Fitzgerald, a Dominican who wanted to make this place a true cultural and religious centre, like the great monasteries like the Abbey of Mellifont, whose influence lasted for more than four centuries.

Over the years, the Abbey of Sligo has undergone some architectural additions. Also, you can admire a magnificent cloister, as well as its altar, which were built around the 15th century. Moreover, many tombs located in the cemetery of the Abbey would be for some dated from the Gothic and Renaissance periods.

Unfortunately, it was in 1645 that the abbey fell victim to a terrible fire that destroyed part of the monastery. Now restored, the abbey is now used only for tourist purposes, and welcomes thousands of visitors from all over the world every year!

Visit Sligo Abbey

A visit that plunges you into the heart of a 13th century monastery.

Entrance to the Sligo Abbey costs on average 3€ per person, and opens its doors to you for a most complete visit of the abbey. Whether you are accompanied by a guide or you visit it alone, you will then discover all the beauty of its architecture by discovering its cloister, its altar (the only perfectly preserved one in all Ireland), as well as the cemetery, and the small chapel reserved for prayer and religious ceremonies where the monks used to meet in the past.

In these rooms the monks also worked in the art of illumination and calligraphy. Numerous manuscripts would have been made there with care, using the finest inks and the most expensive gold leaf.

Don’t miss in any case the superb sculptures scattered all over the site: these have been made with the greatest finesse and are a real treasure for Irish heritage.

So much more to discover...