Sligo

Sligo is the capital of the North West region and one of Ireland's largest towns. It accounts for one third of the population of Sligo County with some 20,000 residents. However, because of its re gional status as a regional growth centre and gateway to the North West, its daily population expands to over 42,000. Sligo town is situated on the Garavogue River and is a thriving tourist, commercial and administrative regional centre. It is an important location for industry and many leading multi-nationals are based here. The ready availability of a skilled workforce, excellent third level education and training institutions together with easy access via airport, road and rail make Sligo an attractive location for incoming industry.

 
Culture And Tourism

Sligo is a beautiful county with a long Atlantic coastline, unspoilt countryside, mountains, lakes and countless other natural attributes to be seen. One of the world's most famous poets, and Sligo's adopted literary son, W.B. Yeats was inspired by the breathtaking landscape that abounds around Sligo, which prompted much of his poetry and his famous refrain - "Sligo, land of heart's desire".
The Model is undergoing a large redevelopment and will be a flagship arts space that will draw many visitors to the North West. The Model houses a collection of J.B.Yeats paintings (brother of W.B Yeats) among other works of interest. Sligo hosts the International Yeats Summer School, an International Choral Festival, S?? Sligo Food and Culture Festival and Sligo Live to name but a few.
 

Sport and Recreation

Sligo offers an excellent quality of life, with a wide range of sport and recreational facilities available. The Regional Sports Centre offers various pitches, indoor basketball courts, badminton, tennis, indoor soccer, a gymnasium and weights room, and a superb swimming pool. There are also several hotel leisure centres. Championship golf courses compliment Sligo's extraordinary array of out door amenities. For the more energetic there are well developed GAA, Soccer and Rugby complexes. Other pursuits within the greater Sligo area include water-skiing, world class surfing, sailing, scuba-diving, sea and fresh water fishing, canoeing and mountaineering.
Sligo boasts a very vibrant nightlife, with a selection of nightclubs, live entertainment theatres and cultural attractions that offer variety and opportunity to meet all tastes.

Retail

Sligo town in the largest shopping centre in the North West with many national and international franchises to be found. Two state of the art shopping centres together with many original and traditional shop facades make for the ultimage shopping experience.  
 

Education

Educational facilities in Sligo cover the full spectrum from pre-school to third level. The town and county are well serviced with primary, secondary and vocational schools. Third level education is available at the Institute of Technology, Sligo and St. Angela's College, which is the only constituent college of the National University of Ireland north of the line Dublin - Galway. FAS, the National Employment and Training Authority has a Regional Training Centre providing apprentice and advanced industrial commercial skills programmes to meet the needs of employers and employees alike. There is also a regional Rehabilitation Training Centre in Sligo.
 

Health Facilities

Sligo offers a full range of public and private health services - the regional hospital provides an extensive range of medical, specialist and psychiatric facilities including a training school for nursing. In private practice, there is a comprehensive range of Consultants, General Practitioners, Dentists, Opticians and support services.
 

Travel - Road/Bus/Rail/Airport

Sligo is serviced by a number of national primary routes including the N17 to Galway (85 miles) and the N4 to Dublin (135 miles). Further access is provided by airport and mainline rail. A bus depot is located in the town centre with regular services connecting to all centres nationwide. Sligo Airport has daily scheduled flights to Dublin for onward connection to Europe, while Knock International Airport, 40 miles from Sligo has flights to the UK and Charter flights to Europe.