The Best Pubs in County Sligo According to You
County Sligo has a pub culture that runs deep, shaped by centuries of storytelling, traditional music, and the kind of warm welcome that keeps people coming back year after year. Nestled beneath the dramatic profile of Benbulben and steeped in the spirit of W.B. Yeats, Sligo Town is home to some of Ireland’s finest pubs — places where the pint is always good and the conversation is even better. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, a Sligo pub has a way of making you feel like you belong.
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🍺 County Sligo’s Current Pub Poll Standings
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Vote for your favourite County Sligo pub in Ireland’s biggest pub poll.
The national pub poll has already seen 399 votes cast across the country, and three brilliant Sligo pubs are making their mark on the leaderboard. Here’s a closer look at each one — and why they deserve your vote.
Thomas Connolly, Markievicz Road, Sligo Town
Thomas Connolly is the kind of pub that stops you in your tracks from the moment you walk through the door. With its stunning Victorian interior, original wooden snugs, and beautifully preserved stained glass, it feels like stepping into another era entirely. The atmosphere is unhurried and genuine — a place where you can sit with a creamy pint of stout and let the world slow down around you. It’s no surprise that Thomas Connolly currently sits at number 14 in Ireland’s biggest pub poll, leading the charge for County Sligo with 10 votes and counting.
Hargadon’s, O’Connell Street, Sligo Town
Hargadon’s is a Sligo institution, and for very good reason. Originally a grocery-cum-bar dating back to the 1860s, it has retained its old-world charm with dark wood panelling, intimate snugs, and shelves that still nod to its shopkeeping past. The food is excellent, the whiskey selection is impressive, and the staff treat every customer like a regular. Currently ranked 22nd in the national pub poll with 5 votes, Hargadon’s is a pub that truly deserves to climb higher — if you’ve ever had the pleasure of a quiet afternoon here, you’ll know exactly why.
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Shoot the Crows, Castle Street, Sligo Town
With a name like Shoot the Crows, you know you’re in for a pub with real character — and it doesn’t disappoint. This cosy, no-nonsense bar on Castle Street is a favourite with locals and visitors alike, known for its lively atmosphere, live music sessions, and the kind of craic that can turn a quiet Tuesday into a night you’ll never forget. The interior is packed with personality, from the eclectic décor to the friendly buzz that fills every corner. Sitting at number 24 in the national pub poll with 5 votes, Shoot the Crows is a hidden gem that more people across Ireland need to discover.
County Sligo may not have the sheer number of pubs you’ll find in Dublin or Cork, but what it has is quality — proper, honest-to-goodness pubs where the traditions of Irish hospitality are alive and well. All three of these brilliant establishments deserve recognition, and with your help, they can climb even higher in the rankings. If you’ve ever had a memorable night in a Sligo pub, now is the time to make it count. Cast your vote in Ireland’s biggest pub poll and help put County Sligo on the map where it belongs.
Want the fuller story behind Sligo’s pub culture? Our companion feature takes a longer look at what makes these Sligo pubs so special, alongside more of the county’s traditional-music scene.
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County Sligo has one of the richest poetic and cultural heritages in Ireland — and some of the most complete genealogical records. If your family has Sligo roots, our free Irish Ancestral Heritage Guide helps trace the exact townland they called home, using records that survive from the 1840s onward.
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County Sligo in the west of Ireland was one of the counties most affected by 19th-century emigration — the Yeats country, with its ancient landscape, sent families to America, Australia, and Britain across several generations. If your family has Sligo roots, our free Irish Ancestral Heritage Guide includes county-specific emigration records, Griffith’s Valuation data, and townland maps for Sligo and all of Connacht. Trace your Sligo ancestors here — free.
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