Sligo Abbey
Sligo Abbey
4.5
10:00 - 17:15
Monday
10:00 - 17:15
Tuesday
10:00 - 17:15
Wednesday
10:00 - 17:15
Thursday
10:00 - 17:15
Friday
10:00 - 17:15
Saturday
10:00 - 17:15
Sunday
10:00 - 17:15
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4.5
317 reviews
Excellent
137
Very good
141
Average
33
Poor
1
Terrible
5
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Lea A
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
We drove over an hour to see Sligo Abbey Today. My husband's family are connected to Sligo and he loves history; churches and castles in particular.
We parked across the road from the Abbey, which looks really impressive from the outside for it's age. We had our dog with us but on approach there is a visitors entrance which labels reasonable prices for entrance. As it looked new and impressive and was indoors, I entered to ask if we were allowed to bring the dog in (the Abbey is outside), the nice gentleman said yes, not a problem, I did say he was a big dog, which was fine with him, otherwise we would have taken him back to the car if he wasn't allowed in. We let another family go in first and gave them space. We kept the dog to the side until our turn. Another member of staff came in an older man with glasses who told us we couldn't bring the dog in. I explained we asked first and his colleague acknowledged he had agreed it. The dog was pulling due to being on a short lead. He made a point on telling my 15 year old boy he wasn't in control of the dog and he would have to be on a much shorter lead than he was (which was short). I went and took the dog from my son to be told I took was not in control of the dog and that other dogs have damaged the Abbey previously, like that was my fault. I found him extremely rude and grumpy. He was spoiling for a fight which he didn't get as I said let go, we're not welcome.
I come from across the water and hear the Irish are some of the nicest people you could ever meet. After today's dressing down by staff who run a tourist building and should be welcoming, I won't be back. They may be knowledgeable but to tell someone as they are walking out their door, you won't get in anywhere here with that! Shows his fears and lack of manners. I found him rude, opinionated and unwelcoming.
We lost out on a lovely day. Because of one grumpy old man. What he did highlight is that dogs are allowed in and have been in before, just not my dog. Maybe there should be a no dogs allowed sign up if this is new and maybe all the staff should be aware of the rules.
We parked across the road from the Abbey, which looks really impressive from the outside for it's age. We had our dog with us but on approach there is a visitors entrance which labels reasonable prices for entrance. As it looked new and impressive and was indoors, I entered to ask if we were allowed to bring the dog in (the Abbey is outside), the nice gentleman said yes, not a problem, I did say he was a big dog, which was fine with him, otherwise we would have taken him back to the car if he wasn't allowed in. We let another family go in first and gave them space. We kept the dog to the side until our turn. Another member of staff came in an older man with glasses who told us we couldn't bring the dog in. I explained we asked first and his colleague acknowledged he had agreed it. The dog was pulling due to being on a short lead. He made a point on telling my 15 year old boy he wasn't in control of the dog and he would have to be on a much shorter lead than he was (which was short). I went and took the dog from my son to be told I took was not in control of the dog and that other dogs have damaged the Abbey previously, like that was my fault. I found him extremely rude and grumpy. He was spoiling for a fight which he didn't get as I said let go, we're not welcome.
I come from across the water and hear the Irish are some of the nicest people you could ever meet. After today's dressing down by staff who run a tourist building and should be welcoming, I won't be back. They may be knowledgeable but to tell someone as they are walking out their door, you won't get in anywhere here with that! Shows his fears and lack of manners. I found him rude, opinionated and unwelcoming.
We lost out on a lovely day. Because of one grumpy old man. What he did highlight is that dogs are allowed in and have been in before, just not my dog. Maybe there should be a no dogs allowed sign up if this is new and maybe all the staff should be aware of the rules.
Written 3 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WindsorP
Dublin, Ireland263 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
This was a most enjoyable visit to Sligo Abbey.The gentleman at reception was very friendly,knowledgeable,and helpful.The grandchildren were given a list of carvings to find around the Abbey,and this gave them a lot of pleasure.The Abbey itself is interesting,and the explanatory sheets given on the way in were most informative and helpful.As this is not a very large area,it can be covered relatively quickly,but I would recommend taking your time,and getting as much information as possible.
Written 18 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Smoltman
Courtenay, Canada10,810 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
We heard about this Abbey and we wanted to see it. There is a parking lot right across from the entrance and for 1€ you get about 1 hour of parking which is enough time to tour the Abbey. Small entrance fee and the staff were great answering any questions. They give you a plastic covered map and guide which was very helpful. Well worth the visit.
Written 20 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yana
Ireland105 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Located in the city of Sligo, there is parking nearby, which is very convenient. The administrators were friendly, asked what country we were from and gave us a guide in English and in our native language, which was very surprising and pleasant. The abbey is impressive! It’s a pity that not everything has been preserved, but what we saw, touched, felt...
Written 1 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LiimmoM
Browns Plains, Australia219 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
On our way to Westport, we decided to stop by Sligo town for lunch and take the opportunity to visit Sligo Abbey. The car park across the road is conveniently located and reasonably priced.
Though small and in ruins, the abbey holds a certain charm and i think it's worth a visit if you like to amble around and read about history. You are given an informative booklet to guide you through the site, highlighting key aspects of its history. The self-guided tour doesn’t take long, but it was an interesting glimpse into the past and a lovely impromptu jaunt.
Though small and in ruins, the abbey holds a certain charm and i think it's worth a visit if you like to amble around and read about history. You are given an informative booklet to guide you through the site, highlighting key aspects of its history. The self-guided tour doesn’t take long, but it was an interesting glimpse into the past and a lovely impromptu jaunt.
Written 31 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveltheworld012
Rochester, MN17,080 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We were staying at the nearby Riverside Hotel (3 blocks away) on Saturday, May 20, 2023. It was raining all afternoon through the evening. So the next morning (Sunday) at 9 AM we walked over to see it. However, it did not open until 10AM to go inside. No worries, most of the place can be seen by simply looking through the iron fence as the abbey was in ruins and not much left of the walls facing the street so we could see all the rooms, what was left of them. This abbey was built in 1252, accidently burned from an errant candle in 1414, damaged in a siege of 1595 and ruined by Hamilton's army in 1641. I guess after all that they just gave up on trying to repair it. It is very interesting to imagine what was here almost 8 centuries ago.
Written 20 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mhaurlkl
Cambridge, Canada395 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
While not on our radar when we arrived, it was a nice interlude for the afternoon. Somewhat fallen down in the past there have been effort to stabilization and access to many interesting areas. The guide provided was very informative and explained much of the Abby. It is still a stunning piece of history and architecture. For a Cathedral hound, this is great stop.
Written 8 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kim G
Toronto, Canada1,909 contributions
Sept 2022
Lovely sight to visit with some amazing history. The abbey is in really good condition considering it's age. The entrance is free right now and they provide a nice two sided sheet detailing the history and each of the things to look at within the structure. It doesn't take very long but is worth stopping to see.
Written 25 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Waterfordian
Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland135 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
An amazing abbey in the middle of Sligo town. Great to see it back open. Admission is currently free. The gentleman on reception was very welcoming. We appreciated his recommendations on places to see in the locality. The Abbey itself contains lots of interesting features, including the rood screen which is a rare feature in Irish abbeys.
Written 29 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PeterADH
Dublin, Ireland224 contributions
Jun 2012 • Couples
We visited Saturday 30th June 2012. We'd visited Jerpoint Abbey in Kilkenny and Kilkenny castle, Rothe house and Dunmore cave, so we were aware of the connections between they Wynnes of Hazelwood House and the Butlers, the Earls of Ormond. But also the fine O'Connor monument in Sligo abbey celebrates a previous marraige between Sir Donogh O'Connor and one of the Butler Ormond family.
The guide was knowledegable but not interested in questions. He was dismissive of any questions unlike the guides from OPW in the various sites we visited in Kilkenny. sligo abbey contains some amazing stone carving and the cloisters are more intact than Jerpoint, almost like the cloisters in New Colleage in Oxford.
The connection with Brahm Stoker and the cholera outbreaks in Sligo in 1832 and 1840 was fascinating. To think that some of the stories of Sligo's 'plague' might have inspired Dracula was a big plus.
Interesting that Sligonians can thank Lord Palmerston of Classiebawn Castle for rescuing the Abbey from the exploitation of Thomas Corcoran a local 18th Century builder woh built Corcoran's Mall (now John F Kennedy Parade) and Thomas St, one still named after him!
Well worth a visit, if the exceleent guides could be a little more friendly and interactive with their visitors, than this Abeey might attract the number of visitors that it deserves.
The guide was knowledegable but not interested in questions. He was dismissive of any questions unlike the guides from OPW in the various sites we visited in Kilkenny. sligo abbey contains some amazing stone carving and the cloisters are more intact than Jerpoint, almost like the cloisters in New Colleage in Oxford.
The connection with Brahm Stoker and the cholera outbreaks in Sligo in 1832 and 1840 was fascinating. To think that some of the stories of Sligo's 'plague' might have inspired Dracula was a big plus.
Interesting that Sligonians can thank Lord Palmerston of Classiebawn Castle for rescuing the Abbey from the exploitation of Thomas Corcoran a local 18th Century builder woh built Corcoran's Mall (now John F Kennedy Parade) and Thomas St, one still named after him!
Well worth a visit, if the exceleent guides could be a little more friendly and interactive with their visitors, than this Abeey might attract the number of visitors that it deserves.
Written 1 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danielle H
Sun City Center, Florida
How much time should we spend at Sligo Abbey? We have about 2 hours available and want to make sure that is enough.
Written 1 August 2023
Hi the Abbey is €4.99 each, and you can see it in 30-60 mins, you can also walk around the town and see the sights free of charge… hope that's helpful?
Written 5 August 2023
Hi, rimocik23. What would you like to know about this attraction? I want to know about opening hours. I will have a guests from abroad and we would like to visit Sligo Abbey. Would it be open in the week from 21 January till 26 January. If yes, which days and hours please. Thank you. Rima
Written 6 January 2018
It might not be open for tours, but you can see it from the sidewalk outside. It's worth a walk-by for sure. So beautiful.
Written 16 January 2019
Will the abbey be open to the public in mid to late September?
Written 16 April 2015
I am here and it is closed!!!
Written 7 November 2017
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