Knocknahur — sometimes called Ransboro — is a small townland cluster south-west of Sligo town, on the rising ground between the town and Strandhill. There are two townlands of the name (Knocknahur North and Knocknahur South) in the civil parish of Kilmacowen, in the barony of Carbury.
There is no village core in the usual sense. The road from Sligo out to Strandhill passes through the area; modern housing, farms and small holdings sit either side of it. What survives from older Sligo is the archaeology: ringforts, souterrains and enclosures in the neighbouring fields, the standard early-medieval defensive farmsteads of this coast. Most are unsignposted. The Historic Environment Viewer (archaeology.ie) maps them precisely if you want to walk to one.
Treat Knocknahur as an address rather than a destination. If you are sleeping at a B&B with this place name, you are five minutes from Sligo town and ten from Strandhill — usable position. There is nothing in the village itself to walk to.
Three things every local will eventually mention. Read these and you've already understood more than most day-trippers do.
Knocknahur — also known as Ransboro — is a small townland cluster (Knocknahur North and South) in the parish of Kilmacowen, in the barony of Carbury, on the road from Sligo town toward Strandhill.
Stories & lore → 02 The archaeologyThe Knocknahur townlands hold ringforts, souterrains and enclosures — the standard early-medieval Sligo farm-fortifications. Most are unsignposted; locate them on the Historic Environment Viewer before walking out.
Walks & outings → 03 The settingKnocknahur sits on the rising ground between Sligo town and Strandhill at the foot of Knocknarea. Mostly farmland and modern housing; nothing in the way of a village core.
Next stops →The reason to come back. The things every local will eventually tell you about, usually after the second pint.
There is no bad time. There are different times.
Useful base for early-season Strandhill — short drive in either direction.
Best for the short hop between town and surf. Long evenings on the road home.
Quiet position with both Strandhill and Sligo on the doorstep.
Wind off the coast. Roads to Strandhill exposed.
If a local was sitting beside you, this is the bit where they'd lean in.
There isn't one. The pubs you want are in Sligo town or out at Strandhill.
These are protected monuments. View them from the field edge; don't climb.
Sligo town to Knocknahur is 5 minutes via the R292. Strandhill is 10 minutes further.
The S2 Strandhill bus passes nearby.
No station. Sligo MacDiarmada is 5 minutes east.
Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC) is 55 min.