The North West has some of the wildest and more diverse scenery

THE North West of Ireland might be one of the least visited corners in Europe, but without doubt it hosts some of the must visit destinations. This less touched corner of Ireland is a wilderness consisting of some of the wildest and more diverse scenery with rugged mountain ranges, rocky terrains, pristine sand beaches and natural treasures.

The wild beauty of the region is always deemed a highlight by any visitor to the North West. The dramatic mountain ranges, beautifully dark lakes, and endless dry-stone walls are an absolute marvel.

Of course, Sligo is often referred to as Yeats Country for the amount of poetry that its beauty inspired in the poetry of WB Yeats, who considered it his spiritual home. In his poetry Yeats regals the beauty of Glencar Waterfall, the magic of Rosses Point, and most famously the yearning for solitude and simplicity at the Lake Isle of Innisfree.

The North West is full of natural wonder and beauty, it is a place that has everything a person could ask for with mountains, lakes, rivers, and beaches. It is not only rich in natural beauty but packed with culture and mythology and the North West could be viewed as one of the most prominent areas for these things.

The Wild Atlantic Way has led to the West of Ireland being more visible and more accessible than ever before. But while almost 10 million visitors annually flock to tourism hotspots from Kerry to Donegal.

The home of WB Yeats, great golf courses, dozens of walking trails and some of the best surf breaks in Ireland, nowadays Sligo has a much broader range of options for tourists, many of them based on fresh air, stunning views and rugged coastlines.

The SligoWalks.ie website provides you with all of the information you’ ll need to get to immerse yourself in a great outdoor holiday experience. There are over 50 walks and trails, encompassing some hundreds of kilometres, the length and breadth of the county.

From walks along the Atlantic shoreline at Strandhill to upland walks at the Devil’s Chimney – home to Ireland’s highest waterfall, you’ ll get to walk some of the most scenic walks anywhere in Ireland, and – for the most part – far away from the milling crowds.

The North West has an incredible array of outdoor experiences – you just need to wrap up, get your walking boots on and start exploring. From the greatest array of megalithic tombs anywhere in Ireland – you can’t miss Queen Maeve’s cairn on the top of Knocknarea, visible from almost anywhere in Sligo, through to the ancient Sligo Way, a 10km cross-country route along the shores of Lough Gill, the Benbulben walking trail, a 5 KM walk around the foots of Sligo’s most popular Benbulben Mountain and lots of stop off points in between for food and refreshments, it’s hard to beat.

Sligo also offers some adventurous hikes for people who like to challenge themselves and find the rewarding scenery at the end. The Benbulben hike is a 12.9 KM hike, on a steep and difficult terrain but with great views and rewards for the efforts. Some of the popular trails are the Caves of Keash, a 1.3 KM short trail for people who want to explore some natural limestone caves and spend some time in solitude.

A new Maritime Centre has opened in Strandhill while Coolaney has a new National Mountain Bike Centre with trails for beginners to the experienced cyclists. The great thing about Sligo town is that it’s at the very centre of the county, and all of the walks are located less than half an hour from this starting point.

The town itself has a beautiful Doorly Park trail along the Garavogue river and the Cleveragh retail park trail for people who do not want to go to the rocky terrains and like to spend a quite evening with their loved ones. With restaurants offering variety of Irish and international cuisines, bars and shops never more than a few minutes away from each route, you’ ll find the complete package without any difficulty. Sligo also offers a great experience of culture and traditional music, with live performances in pubs and music festivals round the year.

The newly opened Queen Maeve’s Square in the centre of town not only offers a space for relaxation beside the Garavogue river but also allows you to participate in some of the vibrant festivals organised throughout the year in Sligo. Sligo is around 2.5 hours from Dublin airport, is located just 40 minutes from Ireland West Airport, and has regular rail and bus network. It has all you’ ll want on a holiday, and it’s there to be explored.

For those looking to take some time to get away from it all, there’s nowhere more ideal than the North West of Ireland.