19. ST - John Fallon foot bridge
May 13, 2021, 04:44 PM
https://www.racontour.com/sligo-town-audio-guide/
As you make your way across the Garavogue river, we'll tell you what to look out for. Once you are over the river, take a right to find a seat 200 metres further up by the river and we'll tell you about Bram Stoker's connections with the town. Once done, make your way up the slope on to Thomas Street where you'll be taking the first left for Sligo Abbey, which is signposted.
Those of you who were on the Yeats Country Guide may wish to know of a fairy fort not too far away. Once over the river, take a left and walk along by the river for about 300 metres past the Council Offices. You'll be turning right when you see Garavogue Villas marked and heading for the Garavogue Fairy Fort, or Abbeyquarter Passage Tomb.
From the Facebook page for Save Irish Fairy Forts, Heritage Conservation Community
An unusual looking roundabout in the middle of a housing estate. Known as the Garavogue Fairy Fort, or Abbeyquarter Passage Tomb, the residents of Garavogue Villas in Sligo town have their very own circa 6000 year old megalithic monument.
Situated in the townland of Abbeyquarter North, the houses were built in the 1940s, the crucifix and religious statues were erected to celebrate Holy Year in 1950. The boulders you can see are the remains of a passage tomb. It is very similar in size and construction to passage tomb number 27 at Carrowmore, near Sligo town, which was dated to around 3700BC.
The site consists of 44 boulders with a diameter of 23 metres, some of the stones are displaced from their original position. Four boulders probably forming part of an inner circle or chamber were recorded in the centre in 1888, but only one is visible now. The Church wanted the tomb removed but the locals refused to do the work and therefore ensured the monument survived.
Tales of growing up in the area show the local people care about and look after the site. The children use it as a playground, jumping from stone to stone in their childhood games and leaving small coins under the rose bush as gifts for the Fairies.
One story tells of a young girl, 4 years old, who wandered out of the house late at night looking for her mother who was visiting neighbours. Not used to being out in the dark the little girl soon became lost and found herself at the Fairy Fort, where she stopped to tie her lace. All of a sudden “Little People” appeared around her. They were friendly and escorted her to a nearby house and knocked on the door. When her mother came out the little girl tried to introduce her new found friends, but they were nowhere to be seen.
https://www.independent.ie/regionals/sligochampion/news/megalithic-tomb-at-home-in-estate-29623928.html?fbclid=IwAR25NW4-4Rm11xJo5IEyk1JBHX9mG3mAu9R7-8TeB6vulIlnNMcxbW8P05E
Those of you who were on the Yeats Country Guide may wish to know of a fairy fort not too far away. Once over the river, take a left and walk along by the river for about 300 metres past the Council Offices. You'll be turning right when you see Garavogue Villas marked and heading for the Garavogue Fairy Fort, or Abbeyquarter Passage Tomb.
From the Facebook page for Save Irish Fairy Forts, Heritage Conservation Community
An unusual looking roundabout in the middle of a housing estate. Known as the Garavogue Fairy Fort, or Abbeyquarter Passage Tomb, the residents of Garavogue Villas in Sligo town have their very own circa 6000 year old megalithic monument.
Situated in the townland of Abbeyquarter North, the houses were built in the 1940s, the crucifix and religious statues were erected to celebrate Holy Year in 1950. The boulders you can see are the remains of a passage tomb. It is very similar in size and construction to passage tomb number 27 at Carrowmore, near Sligo town, which was dated to around 3700BC.
The site consists of 44 boulders with a diameter of 23 metres, some of the stones are displaced from their original position. Four boulders probably forming part of an inner circle or chamber were recorded in the centre in 1888, but only one is visible now. The Church wanted the tomb removed but the locals refused to do the work and therefore ensured the monument survived.
Tales of growing up in the area show the local people care about and look after the site. The children use it as a playground, jumping from stone to stone in their childhood games and leaving small coins under the rose bush as gifts for the Fairies.
One story tells of a young girl, 4 years old, who wandered out of the house late at night looking for her mother who was visiting neighbours. Not used to being out in the dark the little girl soon became lost and found herself at the Fairy Fort, where she stopped to tie her lace. All of a sudden “Little People” appeared around her. They were friendly and escorted her to a nearby house and knocked on the door. When her mother came out the little girl tried to introduce her new found friends, but they were nowhere to be seen.
https://www.independent.ie/regionals/sligochampion/news/megalithic-tomb-at-home-in-estate-29623928.html?fbclid=IwAR25NW4-4Rm11xJo5IEyk1JBHX9mG3mAu9R7-8TeB6vulIlnNMcxbW8P05E