Located at the mouth of the Garavogue River, Sligo, the county town and popular West Coast port in County Sligo, has seen dramatic economic development and population growth in recent years. It is the largest town in the North West of Ireland and has been termed the 'shopping capital of the North West', with many independent stores alongside larger shopping centres. As a major contender in Ireland's tourist trade, many travellers from both the mainland and overseas flock to the area to admire Sligo's surrounding natural beauty. With its literary and cultural links, Sligo is a thriving area, and the transport links to and from Dublin, Galway and Enniskillen mean that there is never a quiet day in the heart of the town, especially with the range of festivals and events the town is a part of every year. Join Noel Ballantyne as he delves into the area's history, presenting a wonderful collection of old and new photographs and interesting facts about the area for all to read.

Author Biography

Noel Ballantyne lives in Sligo and is interested in the area's history as well as its development over the years. Working at Sligo County Council, where he constructs maps of County Sligo in conjunction with building and development plans, Noel really gets to see how the area is constantly changing. When he is not at work, Noel spends his spare time maintaining his blog about Ireland's history. As well as the website, Noel also does a lot of walking, covering many local points, which he sometimes photographs to chart his progress. There aren't many areas of Sligo where Noel's footprints can't be found.