Sligo, Ireland of Yeats

Sligo, Ireland of old and Ireland's surfer country. What an unusual mix.

No, I’m not suggesting you rush out and buy a surfboard. I only wish to give you a sense of the coast here. Big swells, rugged shorelines. Sligo is an ‘adventure capital,’ and home to Ireland’s surfing mecca – Strandhill. 

For us non-surfers, Strandhill beach is made for walking, NOT swimming. The tides and currents are too dangerous. But from there you can walk to and swim at Culleenamore beach, a 90-minute stroll along the water’s edge, or a 45-minute hike across the dunes. 

Both stunning walks.

Sligo’s beaches include Mullaghmore Head and Streedagh - where horses and riders gallop past and disappear into the distance. 

The beaches are huge in this part of the world. 

If beaches are your thing, I suggest a stay at The Driftwood, a little B&B a couple of miles out of Strandhill, where you virtually step out onto the lovely Rosses Point beach. The rooms are simple, understated, but more than comfortable.

Sligo Seascape

Where to eat

A stop at Shells Beach Café in Strandhill is almost expected. Thing is, it gets busy, and caters to the surfing crowd. One nice thing, though, you’re unlikely to be addressed as “dude” out here.  

The pubs in Strandhill all serve a decent pie and ale. For the restaurant vibe, and for great seafood, try the Venue, and the Lissadell mussels.

Sligo City

Sligo, Ireland

Sligo sits on the banks of the Garavogue river that winds though the city before pouring into Sligo Bay – it is one of the handful of iconic Irish cities along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Looking for a little nightlife? You won't be disappointed: Sligo is a festival city, a party city, a music city, a drinking city. 

It is very much a coastal city too.

One walks in sea air along narrow streets, over bridges, past colorful Georgian facades, typical of those other cities too - Galway, Limerick and Cork.

Yeats Country

BenbulpenBenbulpen

Standing on top of Benbulpen, another mountain landmark, I’m reminded of WB Yeats, who is buried under Benbulpen.

The Irish poet, massively influenced by Sligo county, called this “the land of heart’s desire.” Seeing the view from up on Benbulpen, you can see where he was coming from.

Sligo is a heritage town. The Yeats building, on the riverbank, houses a gallery that features all things Yeats, including artworks by his bother, Jack Yeats.

The Church

An interesting tidbit: Sligo’s 19th century Cathedral of Immaculate Conception is the only Norman-styled church in Ireland. It is a struggle to maintain the cathedral though so if you do visit please make a small donation to the restoration fund.

Cuisine and Craft

Given the chance, rest up at the Garavogue Bar, with a plate of fresh oysters and some of the local White Hag Stout. Oysters and stout might sound odd, but they taste great together.

For a bistro-type experience that borders on fine dining, try Eala Bahn, where the menu is artisan. That means ingredients are locally sourced, and organic, and the dishes are made by Irish hands.  

Bed and Breakfast

We stay at the Riverside Hotel, and make a point of getting a room with a river view.

If you prefer being out in the country, the wider Sligo countryside teems with little B&Bs, both on the sea-front and inland.

Onwards and Upwards

Knocknarea is one of Ireland’s best-known mountains, an often misted, but unmissable feature of the northwest. The (easy) Queen Maeve Trail has steps up to the summit… to where an old warrior queen is said to be buried… and when I say old, I mean prehistoric. Her burial cairn dates back 5000 years. 

I’m sure the view across Sligo Bay from the summit of Knocknarea was as magical then as it is today.

Getting Here

Getting to Sligo is as easy as getting to any major Irish city. Fly to Knock Airport or to Sligo Airport, which is located at Strandhill. The attractions being many, and spread across the county, it’s best to rent a car. 

Road Trips and Car Rental Advice

For your daily dose of ExquisiteCoasts: 

You might like these

  • First stop is Cobh: Ireland's famous port from where so many (America-bound) Irish fled the potato famine in the mid 19-century. After that we head for...

    Sampling the South: a 3-stop Tour of County Cork

    First stop is Cobh: Ireland's famous port from where so many (America-bound) Irish fled the potato famine in the mid 19-century. After that we head for...

  • We assume the best: that when you visit the Ring of Kerry, you won’t be swamped by crowds. But that CAN happen… which is why you might want to hop one over, to the Beara peninsula. Not as mainstream. Just as pretty.

    Around the Beara Peninsula

    We assume the best: that when you visit the Ring of Kerry, you won’t be swamped by crowds. But that CAN happen… which is why you might want to hop one over, to the Beara peninsula. Not as mainstream. Just as pretty.

  • Galway City sits in the middle of the Wild Atlantic Way, and is itself a balancing act. It manages to combine cosmopolitan chic, traditional Gaelic culture, and college life… which all mix rather well.

    Galway City - The Warm Heart & Soul of the Wild Atlantic Way

    Galway City sits in the middle of the Wild Atlantic Way, and is itself a balancing act. It manages to combine cosmopolitan chic, traditional Gaelic culture, and college life… which all mix rather well.

  • Years back, I struck up a chat with an Irish chap, and asked where might I go. He thought for a second and said, Dingle, Ireland's best kept secret . A woman at the table over perked up, said, Dingle? What about Dingle?

    Dingle, Ireland: it's not the wind that will blow you away

    Years back, I struck up a chat with an Irish chap, and asked where might I go. He thought for a second and said, Dingle, Ireland's best kept secret . A woman at the table over perked up, said, Dingle? What about Dingle?

  • When you picture paradise, what do you see? It’s fair to say that pristine blue water skirted by a golden crescent beach, beneath a towering cliff of verdant green… makes for a decent description of paradise. So it is on Achill Island in county Mayo.

    Achill Island: Paradise at the Edge

    When you picture paradise, what do you see? It’s fair to say that pristine blue water skirted by a golden crescent beach, beneath a towering cliff of verdant green… makes for a decent description of paradise. So it is on Achill Island in county Mayo.

  • Discover Ireland's hospitality with my top 4 hotel picks. Luxurious comfort, stunning views, and impeccable service await. Your dream stay begins here.

    4 Top Quality Hotels in Ireland

    Discover Ireland's hospitality with my top 4 hotel picks. Luxurious comfort, stunning views, and impeccable service await. Your dream stay begins here.

  • We tend to steer you a little differently. Often, that just means giving some common-sense advice about possibly THE hotspot on Ireland’s tourist itinerary…

    Killarney: the jewel in the Ring of Kerry

    We tend to steer you a little differently. Often, that just means giving some common-sense advice about possibly THE hotspot on Ireland’s tourist itinerary…

  • The 8 best beaches in the world. Why is our list different to all others? Simple, we actually travel the world visiting hundred and hundreds of beaches. These are the results...

    The 8 Best Beaches in the World

    The 8 best beaches in the world. Why is our list different to all others? Simple, we actually travel the world visiting hundred and hundreds of beaches. These are the results...

  • Scattered across the oceans and seas are 4 bucket list islands. All of them are missing only one thing... you!

    4 Bucket List Islands

    Scattered across the oceans and seas are 4 bucket list islands. All of them are missing only one thing... you!

  • Each one of these 5 spectacular coastal drives should be on your bucket list. Add at least one to your plans for the next year... you'll be so glad you did.

    The 5 Most Spectacular Coastal Drives in the World

    Each one of these 5 spectacular coastal drives should be on your bucket list. Add at least one to your plans for the next year... you'll be so glad you did.

  • There is nothing like a little beach therapy and perfect beach therapy needs peace of mind. Lock that in well before you step out upon the beach of your dreams with travel insurance tailored towards beach holidays

    Before The Quest 4 The Perfect Beach Begins

    There is nothing like a little beach therapy and perfect beach therapy needs peace of mind. Lock that in well before you step out upon the beach of your dreams with travel insurance tailored towards beach holidays

  • In Westport Ireland they say that when God made time He made plenty of it. My advice:spend as much of it as you can in Westport.

    Westport: Ireland's Little Secret

    In Westport Ireland they say that when God made time He made plenty of it. My advice:spend as much of it as you can in Westport.

  • The criteria for these 5 best beaches in Ireland is based on scenery, surroundings and the beaches themselves. One or two are adventure hotspots… so pack your boards, kayaks and wetsuits, and prepare to revel in the best waves Europe has to offer.

    The 5 Best Beaches in Ireland

    The criteria for these 5 best beaches in Ireland is based on scenery, surroundings and the beaches themselves. One or two are adventure hotspots… so pack your boards, kayaks and wetsuits, and prepare to revel in the best waves Europe has to offer.

  • Discover Cork and you discover Ireland. So many Irish left from Cork and those with Irish ancestry tell me that it is here they cried. It was here that they felt the connection to the old country.

    Discover the Real Ireland. Come to Cork

    Discover Cork and you discover Ireland. So many Irish left from Cork and those with Irish ancestry tell me that it is here they cried. It was here that they felt the connection to the old country.

  • Starting in Donegal County and finishing down south in County Cork - the real heart and soul of Ireland's west coast awaits - click to discover it.

    Ireland West Coast Essentials & Secrets - From Cork to Donegal

    Starting in Donegal County and finishing down south in County Cork - the real heart and soul of Ireland's west coast awaits - click to discover it.

  • It is said that this 75km Captain Cook Highway is one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world. One side is the rugged coast, and the other side the tropical, lush rainforest. (Tip: you definitely want to...

    Along the Cook Highway and Beyond

    It is said that this 75km Captain Cook Highway is one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world. One side is the rugged coast, and the other side the tropical, lush rainforest. (Tip: you definitely want to...

  • Phew, this was a hard list to create. We started with 15 cities. With much heated debate we got that down to six... then to 4.

    The 4 Most Beautiful Coastal Cities in the World

    Phew, this was a hard list to create. We started with 15 cities. With much heated debate we got that down to six... then to 4.

  • When we came to the Connemara, Ireland decided we'd done something right and, finally, bathed us in warm sunshine. Cruising into the harbor I turned to one of the locals on the boat with us that day, and I said to him… you live in a paradise.

    Connemara, Ireland : soft beds, hard country

    When we came to the Connemara, Ireland decided we'd done something right and, finally, bathed us in warm sunshine. Cruising into the harbor I turned to one of the locals on the boat with us that day, and I said to him… you live in a paradise.

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.