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MANORHAMILTON |
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Focal point of the mountainous area north of Lough Allen is
MANORHAMILTON , lying in the saddle of five valleys some fourteen miles
east of Sligo town. The town was founded on top of a strategic plateau
by Sir Frederick Hamilton, a Scots colonist, during the seventeenth
century; his Plantation castle was destroyed in the 1650s, but the ruins,
on the edge of town, now house the Manorhamilton Castle Heritage Centre
(Tues-Sat 11am-6pm, Sun 2-7pm), which tells its bloody and violent
history in an audiovisual display. The coffee shop alongside makes a
pleasant refreshment stop.
Today, Manorhamilton is a handsome crossroads town, with a sense of self-importance
underlined by the sturdiness of its architecture, and makes a good base
for walking and potholing in the surrounding hills, on both sides of the
border. Chief among local sights is the well-preserved megalithic tomb
at Cashel Bir , on the slopes of Benbo. For advice on walking, potholing,
caving, fishing and hang-gliding, as well as other local pursuits, go to
the Glens Centre, housed in the old Methodist church in the centre of
town (summer daily 10am-6pm; tel 072/55833).
The town has a handful of B&Bs , including the welcoming Cill Chiaráin (tel
072/56135; £40-55/¬50.79-69.84) and Laurel Lodge (tel 072/55018;
£33-40/¬41.90-50.79). Maguire's Bar (tel 072/56053; £33-40/¬41.90-50.79)
is more appealing inside than the exterior would suggest. Sturdy bar
meals can be had from The Granary , Main Street, which advertises itself
as a bistro and coffee shop, but is actually a straightforward bar.
Maguire's serves similarly hearty bar lunches; its salmon is excellent.
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