EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

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.