Rosses Point Peninsula facts for kids
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An Ros
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Rosses Point Peninsula (Red) within County Sligo
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| Geography | |
| Location | Ireland |
| Adjacent bodies of water | |
| Area | 10 km2 (3.9 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| County | Sligo |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1,580 (2016) |
| Pop. density | 158 /km2 (409 /sq mi) |
The Rosses Point Peninsula (also known as An Ros in Irish) is a small piece of land sticking out into the sea. It's located in the middle of Sligo Bay in County Sligo, Ireland. The village of Rosses Point is also on this peninsula. It's a popular place for holidays by the sea. You can find it about 7.5 kilometers (4.7 miles) west of Sligo.
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A Look Back in Time
People have lived on Rosses Point for thousands of years. In 2020, a very old shell pile was found. This pile, called a midden, was left by people from the Neolithic (New Stone Age) period. It shows that people lived here a very long time ago.
The peninsula also has a long history with the sea. Sailors often used it as a safe stop. They would rest here if they were caught by the strong tides in Sligo Bay.
Pirates and Smugglers
By the 1600s, Rosses Point became a secret hideout. It was a popular spot for pirates and smugglers. These groups would attack trading ships in the Atlantic Ocean. They also stole goods from ships that crashed in Donegal Bay.
One famous smuggler was known as "Black Jack." He used his money to build a house called Elsinore House in the early 1800s. He even put cannons outside, pointing towards the sea!
A Popular Holiday Spot
Even with its exciting past, Rosses Point grew into a popular holiday resort. This happened during the Victorian era. Many visitors started coming here in the summer. This is still true today, as lots of people enjoy their summer breaks here.
In the late 1800s, Elsinore House was bought by the Middleton family. They were related to the famous Yeats family.
Famous Visitors: The Yeats Brothers
The famous poet William Butler Yeats and his artist brother Jack Butler Yeats spent their childhood summers at Elsinore House. The peninsula was a big inspiration for their work.
It was here that young William became very interested in spiritualism and the paranormal. He believed the house was haunted by the ghosts of smugglers and pirates. He later wrote that Rosses Point had more ghosts than anywhere else!
Honoring the Sea
In 2002, a special memorial was put up. It's called the "Waiting on Shore" memorial. It remembers all the people from Rosses Point who have been lost at sea.
Every summer, the Wild Atlantic Shanty Festival is held here. This festival celebrates the area's strong connection to the sea. It's a fun way to remember the maritime history.
Fun Things to Do
Rosses Point has many interesting places to visit and things to do:
- County Sligo Golf Club is a great place for golf fans.
- Dead Man's Point offers amazing views.
- Doonweelin Lough is a peaceful lake.
- Elsinore House is a historic building with a fascinating past.
- The Metal Man is a unique statue that guides ships.
- Oyster Island is a small island nearby.
- Rosses Point Beach is perfect for a day by the sea.
- Rosses Point Lighthouse helps ships navigate safely.
- Sea Fishing Sligo offers fishing trips.
- Sligo Yacht Club is where you can see boats and learn about sailing.
- The "Waiting on Shore" Memorial is a place to reflect on the area's maritime history.
Images for kids
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Oyster Island
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The Metal Man
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Elsinore House
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Rosses Point Beach
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Rosses Point Village
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County Sligo Golf Club
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"Waiting on Shore"
