Visiting County Sligo? This part of the Irish province of Connacht has a number of attractions that you won’t want to miss. Plus some interesting sights that are a bit off the beaten path. So why not take your time and spend a day or two in Sligo when visiting Ireland? Here are some ideas to make it worth your while …
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Spend a day at the beach
Sligo has some fine beaches, from sand to pebbles, from those dedicated to swimmers and guarded by lifeguards to those where surfers hit the waves. Although the water may be on the cold side, a quick splash is almost always possible. Or at least a long, invigorating walk. Beaches to watch out for are at Enniscrone, between Aughris and Ardabrone, at Strandhill (no bathing here), between Cregg and Rosses Point, at Raghly, between Lislary and Moneygold, south of Roskeeragh Point, and at Mullaghmore.
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Let yourself be pampered by algae
If the beach is not your thing (or the Irish weather is at stake), why not enjoy a relaxing swim nearby? Sligo is known for its seaweed baths, where you can relax and cool off in a hot tub with… seaweed. It sounds scarier than it is. The Kilcullen Seaweed Baths in Enniscrone and the Voya Seaweed Baths in Strandhill await you…
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Dive into Yeats
Sligo is all about poetry and painting – brothers William Butler Yeats and Jack B. Yeats have taken care of that. While the former may be regarded as the most famous literary figure in Ireland (although others may dispute this claim), the latter is undoubtedly one of the most important Irish painters of the 20th century. In Sligo Town you can visit the Yeats Exhibition in the Memorial Building (dedicated to the poet) and a good collection of paintings in the Model Arts & Niland Gallery. Many landscapes have Yeats connections as well. And don’t forget the slightly disappointing WBYeats grave below Benbulben, on Drumcliff.
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Rebels and revolutionaries
If you like its history a little more, Lissadell House will be high on your list – home to Countess Constance Markiewicz, famous Republican fame, social reformer, and the only female commander in the Irish citizen army during the Easter Rising. Or visit the monument to Bartholomew Teeling in Collooney – this Irishman, a French army officer, drew a British battery during the 1798 invasion.
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Sleep and dine like a lord
Although the Percevals may not have a title, they certainly had all the trappings of landowning nobility, including a grand house, sprawling demesne, and their own lake, today Temple House, near Ballymote, offers first-class hospitality as a luxurious B&B. Not the cheapest stay you can spend in County Sligo, but maybe the best …
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Face history and ancient myths
County Sligo has the largest stone age cemetery in Ireland. Carrowmore’s sprawling megalithic cemetery covers acres of land and invites you to explore and discover. Those with a good foundation in mythology and ley line theories could spend hours here, wondering about the obvious alignments and their possible significance. Or climb near Knoocknarea, atop which Queen Maebh’s Cairn awaits, perhaps her grave? The view over Sligo Harbor, Sligo Bay and Ballysadare Bay is also magical. And don’t forget the Carrowkeel megalithic graveyard, the Creevykeel court landmark, the sturdy Ballymote Castle, and the monastic remains at Drumcliff, complete with a round tower stump and tall cross.
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See weird things from Sligo …
Although the WBYeats statue in Sligo Town may already look strange, wait until you see the Iron Man pointing the way from Rosses Point to Sligo Harbor. Here, a larger-than-life sailor, made of metal and painted in realistic colors, helps sailors in distress find the right direction. But perhaps you will find the representation of a camel in Drumcliff high cross even more curious …
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Enjoy eagles
Eagles Flying, just outside Ballymote, is the visitor’s face of the Irish Raptor Research Center, a non-profit sanctuary and breeding station for raptors. Twice a day during the main tourist season, all kinds of large birds are lost in an impressive airshow. Visitors can see and often interact with eagles, owls, vultures, and other feathered friends. And yes, they even have an indoor arena if the weather is so bad that even the birds prefer to walk …
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Sube a Benbulben
This is not for the faint-hearted: Benbulben with a height of 525 meters above sea level (and its proximity to the coast makes it very literal) offers a challenge, as the western end of the Dartry Mountains is not easily accessible and There are no easy ways to climb. Only recommended for serious, experienced hikers with good stamina and excellent orientation skills.
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Traditional Music in Sligo
Visiting County Sligo and having to do something at night? Well, you could do worse than go to a local pub (which, by default, will be an »original Irish pub«) and then join a traditional Irish session… so why not give it a try?
Most sessions start around 9:30 pm or when a few musicians get together.
