Sligo is a town in northwest Ireland of 20,000 people and is the second largest town in Connacht, the county town of County Sligo. The town Sligo has an urban history going back to the 13th century and a history of settlement going back to the Mesolithic era. The modern town developed on the Sligeach (Garavogue) river within the Irish túath (territory) of Cairbre Droma Cliabh. The history of Sligo town is a remarkably turbulent, colourful and varied one.