About us
Well known as being the final resting place of W.B Yeats and nestled in amongst breath-taking scenery of North Sligo’s sea and mountains Drumcliffe is visited by thousands of tourists a year who stop to pay their respects to the Irish Poet Laureate.
St Columba’s Church dates back to 1809 and is part of the Church or Ireland. It stands on what was a 6th century monastic site, home to Sligo’s only Round Tower and High Cross, that are believed to be between 900 to 1000 years old.
Visitors are welcome to explore the site on a self-guided basis, but to fully immerse themselves in the rich and ancient past we offer as 30-minute audio guide available in 6 languages.
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Our Attractions
Drumcliffe churchyard is open to visitors all year round and St. Columba’s church is open daily during the peak visitor season.
The Round Tower
Drumcliffe is home to Sligo's only round Tower, directly opposite the graveyard it’s is located where the original 574 AD Monastic, and was probably used as a bell tower.
St Columba’s Church
Built in 1809 St Columba’s Church’s is a working Church at the heart of the is small community who’s dedication is demonstrated by the yearly nativity scenes and vibrant harvest...
The High Cross
The ancient High Cross that stands tall at the front of the Graveyard is a landmark that would have been used in years gone by.
Yeats Grave
WB Yeats’s desire to be buried in Drumcliffe probably serves as the first endorsement of how sacred this ancient site is, taken from the poem ‘Under Benbulben’.
Drumcliffe is well known as the resting place of our national poet laureate William Butler Yeats.
The site however is much more ancient having been founded in 574AD by St. Columba (Colmcille in Irish). Remnants of the ancient monastery including the ruined round tower, high cross and other fragments are still visible. Many thousands of visitors come to Drumcliffe every year and we hope you will come and Discover Drumcliffe for yourself.
Plan your visit
Group Visits
Group visits are available upon request and can be booked through our online booking system or by contacting tours@drumcliffechurch.ie directly.
Upon arrival all paying group visitors will be given an exclusive ‘Discover Drumcliffe’ booklet containing a detailed site map and information on points of interest from the monastic beginnings and the ‘Battle of The Books”, to the final resting place of our much-loved poet, W.B. Yeats.
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“Under bare Ben Bulben’s head
In Drumcliffe churchyard Yeats is laid…
Under Ben Bulben • W.B. Yeats
Our reviews
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