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 About Sligo
Sligo Borough Council
is the local authority of Sligo which is the largest urban settlement
between the cities of Derry to its North and Galway to its South. It
comprises of an elected council of twelve members who annually elect a
mayor from within their member. The Mayor chairs meetings of the
Borough Council and represents the people of the Borough. The council
adopts an annual estimate of expenses and makes decision on policy.
Sligo is situated in
the north west of Ireland set within magnificent scenery of mountain
rivers, fronting the Atlantic Ocean. The town is the capital of the
north west and is located at the mouth of Sligo Harbour on the Garavogue
River. The nearest city of similar size is Derry, located over 80 miles
(120kms) away. The town is the administrative, commercial and
industrial capital of the County and region.
Sligo town is served by a range of
infrastructure, it is located on the national primary route (N4), the
main Dublin road. Other primary and secondary routes connect Sligo with
Belfast, Galway, Derry, Limerick and other major centres in the region.
The town is also serviced by a national rail route linking Sligo to
Dublin via the centres of Mullingar and Longford and also has a bus
terminus located adjacent to the railway station linking the town to
centres nationally and also providing a local service; this gives the
town a excellent regional infrastructural base and the opportunity to
expand.
As highlighted the
distance of any urban centre of a similar size is over 80 miles away.
The town is therefore in a strategic location serving a wide area for
economic and social needs. The second and third largest towns in the
County are Tubbercurry and Ballymote, with a population of just 1,089
and 994, respectively (C.S.O 1996). The town therefore is the most
significant urban centre within the county and region.
Work to date on the
National Spatial Strategy explores the potential for the establishment
of sub-regional Gateways. These will be urban centres that are
strategically placed and are already displaying the potential to achieve
sustainable economic growth. The choice of location for these Gateways
will be based on their potential to stimulate growth in the surrounding
towns, villages and rural areas in their zone of influence and on the
quality of transport connections to the rest of the country. Sligo has
the potential to become a regional gateway through the development of
its existing social, economic and environmental facilities, which
currently serve a wide hinterland area.
Sligo has developed
at the confluence of the Garavogue River with the sea. The centre of
the town is situated along the river course between Lough Gill and the
sea.
The landscape and
topography are important features of County Sligo and have a significant
effect on the town and environs
County Sligo is
dominated by a mountainous landscape, with Sligo town surrounded by the
Ox mountain range to the south, Knockrea to the west, Keelogboy, Leenan
and Benbo mountains to the east and range including Benbulben and Kings
Mountain to the north and east . There is a sense of enclosure from
these mountains in Sligo Town as they provide a backdrop to development
and are visible from many locations throughout the town.
The main
environment features of Sligo Town and Environs consist of significant
expanses of fresh and salt water, and associated habitats, along the
Garvogue River, Lough Gill and Sligo Bay. Large areas of mixed and
natural woodland are situated on the banks of the Garavogue at Hazelwood
Demesne, Cleveragh Demesne, Aghamore, to the south of Aghamore Bay and
Tobernalt Bay and a significant zone of archaeological amenity is
located in the Carrowmore area.
Within the town and
environs there is also varying topography, the most notable area of high
ground is the area to the south west of the town in the Carns and
Onaphubble area; this area is clearly visible from the town and has
significant views over Lough Gill, Hazelwood Demesne and the town
itself. The route of a scenic drive currently runs through the area and
down to Lough Gill itself.
Directly to the
north of the town centre the topography rises to form a ridgeline of
notable prominence in the vicinity of the Forthill area (also the site
of Green Fort archaeological site); this area has remained undeveloped
due primarily to its archaeological importance and visual sensitivity.
Other ridges occur further north and east of the town.
Within the Sligo
Borough Council boundary, development has grown to the north, west, and
south leaving noticeable tracts of land to the southwest, northeast and
east undeveloped. The areas that have developed however, are biased
towards the south of the town towards the Carrowmore area, where the
majority of development has occurred.
The town’s growth
can be categorised into three principle areas: the inner core (the
commercial heart of Sligo); the inner fringe belt (displaying older
residential development and dominated by significant public and
institutional lands) and an outer fringe area (typified by more recent
suburban growth and larger industrial lands.
The inner core of
the town is dominated by commercial and retail activity, although its
edges display some noticeable office activity (particularly along the
Mall and western Wine Street) and some public-institutional lands. The
commercial core also displays the greatest intensity of uses and the
density is highest in this area. This area also features some of the
more impressive architecture dating from the 18th century, a
period of prosperity for the town.
The inner fringe
belt features pockets of older residential development but is dominated
by public institutional lands including religious institutions, the
Hospital, The Institute of Technology and several schools; these uses
are an important part of the town centre. There are also areas of open
space most significantly in the Green Fort area to the north of the town
centre.
The outer fringe
belt features primarily residential development but also includes large
areas of industrial land to the west and smaller areas to the north and
east. A significant part of this belt is the port, which is a critical
element of the town’s structure as its role is likely to change in the
future. There is a noticeable areas of brownfield land and
under-utilised sites available for development in this area.
Three road bridges
traverse the river in the town centre – Hyde Bridge and New Bridge, and
Hughes Bridge (these link the inner core of the town). A footbridge
also connects the central area of the town.
Sligo is served by
the National Primary Route N4, the main Dublin Road. Other primary and
secondary roads connect Sligo with Belfast, Galway, Enniskillen, Derry
and Limerick and other major centres in the region. These routes
particularly the Dublin road have influenced the pattern of development
in Sligo by drawing development towards them. There is also a rail
connection with Dublin and a regional airport 5 miles from the town,
important infrastructural elements in any future growth of the town.
Function
Sligo serves as an
administrative, employment, commercial, service, health, and educational
centre for a large hinterland area. It also acts as an important
distribution centre in the northwest.
Sligo has a strong
and considerably important manufacturing base, particularly with the
existence of the IDA Business Park, and larger companies such as Abbott
the pharmaceutical company. The I.D.A. has recognised this importance
by naming the town a ‘gateway’ town. The town however is primarily
identified by its service sector, which plays a very significant role in
the town’s function. The town draws employment from a large area due to
these functions.
The town has an
important role for retail provision. The commercial centre is
regionally significant particularly in comparison goods shopping and is
quite significant and for convenience goods. The commercial area serves
a large hinterland area for goods and services. The importance of
retail regionally was highlighted by a retail impact analysis carried
out for Sligo indicating that the retail catchment is very large,
extending as far as 44 miles from the town.
Sligo Institute of
Technology gives the town a regional educational role. The campus has a
student population in excess of 3000 and has the capacity for 6500. The
institute offers undergraduate diploma and degrees, and postgraduate
masters and Ph.D’s. St. Angela’s College is also a third level college
offering a wide range of specialist courses.
Sligo General
Regional Hospital establishes the town as a regional centre in terms of
health. Extensive medical and specialist facilities are available at
the 300+ beds Regional Hospital, which also include a training school
for nursing.
County
Sligo has the largest group of archaeological sites/remains in the
country and has a rich association with literature, culture, arts and
music. Several features give Sligo a unique character as a tourist
destination – its association with Yeats, the landscape; surfing in
places such as Strandhill, the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery; the built
heritage such as Sligo Abbey, Lissadel House and Markree Castle in
addition to an attractive townscape and interesting street pattern.
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