Afternoon Tea in Sligo: Castles, Cakes & a Hint of Yeats

According to my DNA, I’m 47% Irish and around 20% pure Devon maid — which probably explains why I love Ireland so much, and why I can never resist a good old-fashioned Afternoon Tea!

Whenever we travel, we’re drawn to a walking tour, a boat trip, and a little afternoon indulgence. You’d be amazed where you can find Afternoon Tea: from the imperial cities of Vietnam to the misty hill stations of Sri Lanka… and of course in County Sligo!

We’ve visited Ireland many times. We love the glorious, wild land, with some of the world’s finest beaches and more than enough trails and history to keep us happy. We’re working our way around the Wild Atlantic Way and on our last visit, we explored Sligo’s coast, followed the famous Yeats Trail, sampled (quite a few!) local bars… and we treated ourselves to a proper afternoon tea.

Why We Chose Markree Castle for Our Afternoon Tea

I’m not really sure if we chose Markree Castle — or if it chose us!

We spent a few weeks exploring Sligo, having returned initially to see more of the Sligo sections of the Wild Atlantic Way. We’d stumbled upon the hike around Benbulbin and around the headland and beaches at Mullaghmore on a previous visit and completely fell in love with this glorious region of Ireland.

Whilst here, we discovered the Yeats Trail, which led us to Union Wood, which in turn led us to Markree Castle. And this of course, led us to their afternoon tea ( with gluten-free options) — and the rest, as they say, is history.

It really was pure chance that we chose Markree Castle. And whilst we later discovered there are plenty of other options around, the sense of history, the stunning castle, and our fascination with Yeats made this the perfect fit for us.

And we weren’t disappointed.

The History of Markree Castle

Markree Castle has been part of Sligo’s story for centuries.  Built in the 17th century, it was home to the Cooper family for over 350 years, even housing one of the world’s largest telescopes in the 1800s.

Today, Markree Castle is a luxurious hotel and sits at the heart of Yeats Country. We know that Yeats was a frequent visitor — joining gatherings in grand homes like this, surrounded by the landscapes that inspired his work.

Between the villages of Collooney, Ballisodare, and Ballygawley lies Union Wood. The River Unshin flows through Union Wood and across the lands of Markree Castle.

We may never know if Yeats himself walked through Union Wood, but the trail that now winds through it certainly resonates with the landscape he loved. And The quote most often associated with Union Wood is:

The winds awaken leaves to dancing — W.B. Yeats, The Wanderings of Oisin

That line captures the quiet magic of the woods but also reminded me of my own story of the dancing sheet along the Via de la Plata on the Camino de Santiago.

Anyway, after following the Yeats Trail through Union Woods, and our brush with poetry, we were more than ready for our Afternoon Tea!

What’s Included in Afternoon Tea at Markree Castle

I’d read a few mixed reviews, but for us, the sense of location and history had already sold us on Markree Castle. And we weren’t disappointed.

We booked ahead and reserved our slot, also asking for a gluten-free option for me. When we arrived, we were welcomed warmly and shown to our table.

You enter through the grand staircase, past stained-glass windows and thick carpets that shout opulence and comfort.  The afternoon tea room was bright and light, overlooking the gardens — which looked wonderful even on a grey day in July.

Crisp white tablecloths, gold-framed paintings, sparkling chandeliers, and another thick carpet underfoot all made it feel every inch the special occasion. Service was very quick. No sooner had we settled than hot tea and china cups appeared —  and a large pot to boot, that could be refilled as needed.

Then came the tea stands, layered with glorious treats:

When you book, you’re advised to allow around an hour and a half — and you’ll need it. We arrived intending to eat our fill, but there was so much food that a little breather between courses was welcome!  And if you can’t manage it all, elegant little boxes are provided so you can take a few treats home with you.

Gluten-Free and Special Diets

The hotel website states that vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or any combination of special diets are available for Afternoon Tea at Markree Castle.

Anyone who eats gluten-free — or follows a special diet — will know how rare it is to find a proper treat like this. I was super impressed with the gluten-free Afternoon Tea at the Grand Hotel in Sri Lanka, and I have to say that Markree Castle’s Afternoon Tea certainly lived up to my hopes and expectations.

Our two tea stands were slightly different, but everything Gerry had, I was given a gluten-free alternative.

If you’re celiac or eat gluten-free, you’ll know how tricky baking without gluten can be — but the chef did a sterling job, and I was genuinely thrilled with the selection.

If you have any dietary requests, you must pre-advise the hotel via email at info@markreecastle.ie. They cook, bake, and prepare each tray specifically to your needs and I was suitably impressed with the care and attention they gave.

How To Book Your Afternoon Tea

If you’re not staying as a guest at the hotel, the easiest way to reserve Afternoon Tea is directly through their website. It’s not available on every day so I’d recommend you do this well in advance.

The process was quick and simple — and after booking, we followed up by email to confirm the gluten-free option and received a prompt, friendly reply.

Booking Afternoon Tea also gives you access to the castle from 1:00 PM on the day of your booking, and you’re free to explore the castle grounds and gardens during that day. We loved wandering through the interior of the castle — although, thanks to an untimely Irish downpour, we had to postpone our garden stroll.

Can You Stay Overnight at Markree Castle?

Yes — you can! And I wish we’d known this in advance, because we would have booked! But we already had lodgings in Sligo and felt it a little too indulgent to have both!

But if you’d love the chance to live like the lord or lady of the manor for a night or two , staying here is surprisingly reasonable.

Other Great Ideas for Afternoon Tea in Sligo

We chose Markree Castle for the venue, the location, the Yeats connection, and the history — but if you’re looking for a few other ideas, there are several lovely places to enjoy Afternoon Tea in and around Sligo:

And Lets Not Forget Lyons Café in Sligo

When we did our research, we read so many times that a visit to Lyon’s Café in the heart of Sligo was a must.  Our afternoon tea was not a budget experience and you do need transport so if you’re looking for a more casual option in the heart of Sligo town, then pay a visit to Lyons.

It’s perfect at any time of day and they also offered some pretty fabulous gluten free options!  Go for Afternoon Tea or lunch or even breakfast!  We enjoyed it so much we returned a few times and if you’re short on time, just visiting for the day or a weekend or you fancy a laid-back treat without the castle fanfare then this is the place to go!

Where Will You Go For on Afternoon Tea in Sligo?

Our Afternoon Tea at Markree Castle was everything we hoped it would be — elegant, relaxed, and a taste of Sligo’s charm and history. It was a little pricey but we felt it was worth it.

Whether you choose a grand castle setting or a the much loved Lyons café in the heart of Sligo town, taking time out for a tea, and cake, and conversation is glorious way to slow down and soak up the spirit of Ireland.

So where will you go?

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And if you’re in Sligo then why not take a look at our post on :