Drumcliff Church

Drumcliff high Cross and round tower
(copyright: DEHLG)

Drumcliff Church and graveyard are north of Sligo town, on the edge of the village of Drumcliff. The church, graveyard and high crosses are located on the east side of the road and the round tower is on the west side of the road. 

The monastic site at Drumcliff was founded in the 6th century and it was an important ecclesiastical centre from the late 10th to the 16th century. The church, which stands in the graveyard today, is 19th century in date and the grave of the famous Irish poet W.B. Yeats is in the graveyard near the front of the church. 

The round tower and the high cross are the most visible remnants of the early monastic site. Only the base of the round tower remains and the early Irish records report that it was hit by lightning in 1396. The damage to the tower probably occurred later, when stone from it was used to build Drumcliff bridge. 

There is only one high cross in the grounds of the church today and the base of a high cross from the site is housed in the National Museum of Ireland today. Other fragments of stone crosses can be seen in the interior of the church,  built into its walls. The remaining high cross contains depictions of several biblical events. 

Download: Drumcliff.pdf