7 Things to do in Sligo...
1 GET AN ADRENALINE RUSH
Sligo is not the #AdventureCapital on Twitter for nothing. Make your holiday a memorable one by stepping outside your comfort zone on land, air or water.
Surfing - come on, you’ve heard so much about it by now you have to give it a go. Sligo and North Mayo are in what’s now called ‘ The Surf Coast’ zone of the Wild Atlantic Way. Big- wave surfers from all over the world flock to catch a ride on ‘ The Prowler’ at Mullaghmore and great surf at Streedagh, Raghley, Strandhill, Easkey and Enniscrone. The water’s only freezing the first few seconds, we promise.
Several adventure operators in Sligo and the Ox Mountains offer Kayaking, Canoeing, Gorge Rambling, Hiking, Cycling, Whitewater Rafting, Surf Rafting, Teambuilding and Archery.
You can try Freediving and scuba diving near Mullaghmore , Stand- Up Paddling on Lough Gill, horseriding along a beach, go Paintballing, zip- wiring or Kiteboarding like the freshly retired Barack Obama.
2 RELAX
After all that adrenalin you need to wind down and no better place than across from the surf at Strandhill Seaweed Baths.
Enniscrone also has a Seaweed Baths close to the sea front with quaint boxed in baths from 1912.
All hotels boast spa facilties but sometimes all you need to unwind is a walk on a beach - put the phone away and head into the wind. Get swept off your feet at Strandhill, Rosses Point ( safe to swim there), Dunmoran Strand, Streedagh, Easkey, Enniscrone, Mullaghmore.
Enjoy a bite to eat and a cheeky pint in one of the many beachside pubs to finish off a perfect afternoon.
3 INDULGE
Burst your taste buds at any one of the restaurants and cafés along the superb Sligo Food Trail. Dine in the dark at Wild Atlantic Food Café , take a Raw & Fermented Foods workshop at Sweet Beats, take a shellfish Sea Trail, taste fresh seaweed from the shore or forage edible plants at the base of Benbulben. It’s Foodie Heaven. Sligofoodtrail. ie # SligoFoodTrail for participating venues.
4 TOUR A BREWERY
OK this one’s not for the kids - Sligo is home to several new breweries and distilleries which are all offering tours and tastings. The White Hag Irish Brewing Company is an award winning craft brewery in Ballymote. You’ll get to taste several of the 26 strong range of beers.
Lough Gill Brewery in Cleveragh Business Park, is also offering tours. If whiskey is your poison, the Riverside Hotel runs a Whiskey Tasting Experience.
5 APPRECIATE SOME ART
Sligo is after all, the spiritual home of Yeats which has left an indelible mark on the town’s cultural scene. The Model gallery on the Mall is currently presenting an exhibition of Norah McGuinness’ illustrations to William Butler Yeats’ book The Stories of Red Hanrahan and the Secret Rose. Art galleries include The Hamilton Gallery aboveThe Cat and the Moon shop, Teach Bán at Drumcliffe, The Dovecote in Calry and Fairgreen gallery at Farranyharpy, Skreen, West Sligo.
6 SHOP TIL YOU DROP
Johnston Court and Quayside Shopping Centre are the two main shopping centres in Sligo town, while Carraroe and Cleveragh Retail Parks are on the outskirts of the town.
Quirky shops for one- of- a- kind gifts include the Rathcormac and Strandhill People’s Market, Drumcliffe Tea- shop, Shells Café, The Cat and The Moon, Tír na nOg, Liber Bookshop, Mullaney’s and Moffitts drapery stores, Cosgrove and sons, Anna’s Boutique and Cait & I which stocks contemporary Irish craft and design pieces. All within Sligo town or outlying villages.
7 SCOUT A CASTLE
There are castles in Enniscrone, Easkey, Parke’s Castle on the shores of Lough Gill and Ballymote Castle to explore. The ruins of the early 17th century Plantation Castle lie to the North East of the town. Easkey Castle ruins lie right along a popular surf spot on the coast.
Parke’s Castle has been restored using Irish oak and traditional craftsmenship. Access for visitors with disabilities to ground floor. Tour is 40 min. Open Daily 10.00 - 18.00. Cost is free while major renovation works are taking place.
Richard de Burgo, the Red Earl of Ulster, built Ballymote castle in AD 1300. Sligo Tourist Office can now book many activities and tours. 071- 9161201 northwestinfo@ failteireland. ie