Lough Gill

Lough Gill lies just east of Sligo town in County Sligo, a wooded freshwater lake straddling the Sligo–Leitrim border and closely associated with the poetry of W.B. Yeats.

Its small islands include Innisfree, the subject of one of his best-known poems. A scenic drive circles the lake, with forest walks, viewpoints and Parke’s Castle on the northern shore. Boat trips run in season, and the lake is fished for trout and pike. The mix of water, woodland and mountain backdrop makes it a rewarding half-day from Sligo.