Tag: sligo itinerary

Sligo is the perfect destination for an Irish road trip. Nestled between Donegal and Galway, it’s the second largest city in western Ireland. With that been said, this place is not overcrowded by tourists. Surrounded by mountains and picturesque countryside, the drive to Sligo guarantees some stunning scenery.

If you’re looking for an exciting itinerary to spend 2 days in Sligo, you are at the right place. In this blog, I have tried to share my experience from a 2 days trip that we did to Sligo recently.

Please note that we had done this day trip from Dublin. If you are planning a trip from Dublin, I would strongly suggest keeping minimum 2 days in your plan.

Places covered on Day 1 (You can decide the route based on your place of stay):

Places covered on Day 2 (You can decide the route based on your place of stay):

Places covered on Day 1 (in detail):

1) Mullaghmore (Harbour/Beach):

Mullaghmore is a picturesque destination on Ireland’s northwest coast. It has both incredible coastal views and interesting history. It is a pretty fishing village that is well worth a visit.

On your first stop on Mullaghmore Head, don’t miss the stops to view Classiebawn Castle. It was built by Lord Palmerston in the 18th century and is famous for being the holiday home of Louis Mountbatten (who was killed by a bomb blast on his boat planted by the IRA in 1979 off the coast of Mullaghmore). Unfortunately, it’s not possible to visit Classiebawn Castle, but it can be seen from several areas on the Peninsula, with the coastal road being the most popular because you can see and photograph the castle with Benbulbin’s dramatic aspect in the background.

The waves at Mullaghmore Head can be highly unpredictable. The waves here normally always get a position in the Top 10 list of places with largest waves in the world.

2) Streedagh Beach:

You’ll find Streedagh Beach in a 15-minute drive from Mullaghmore. This beach is absolutely stunning; one of the best beaches in Sligo. It is 2-3kms long. With the Atlantic on one side and the lush green mountains on the other, this is a beautiful beach to relax, take a long walk or have a fun with the kids.

There’s a decent car park with plenty of space near the beach and as an added bonus, you’ll get views of Benbulben Mountain. Streedagh Strand is more popular with surfers because it is an exposed beach with reef breaks. Swimming at Streedagh is recommended for experienced swimmers, due to strong tides and undercurrents.

3) Benbulbin Mountain:

Sligo’s table mountain, Benbulben, towers over the town. It is part of the Dartry Mountain range and stands at 526 meters (about 1,700 feet) above sea level. Its unusual shape was most likely formed after the last Ice Age. It is no exaggeration to say that it was Benbulbin who made Sligo famous.

Benbulbin Mountain (Benbulben Mountain) is mentioned as Sligo’s Table Mountain because of its flat-top shape. It’s only one of a handful of table top mountains in the world and the only one in Ireland – so it really is a must-do on your list of things to do in Sligo, Ireland. It’s important to say you can also climb Benbulbin and it’s one of the more popular activities in Sligo, but with moderate difficulty rating and standing over 500m tall, it will take around 4-5 hours depending on conditions.

The Benbulben Loop Trail, on the forest road, takes you to a striking waterfall where you can enjoy panoramic views of Sligo Bay and on a clear day, Donegal in the distance.

4) Benwisken Mountain:

The beautiful and dramatic mountain of Benwisken is a part of the Dartry Mountain range. The peak of Benwisken is 514 meters above sea level. The tip of the mountain looks like the edge of a knife. The cliffs to the north side of Benwisken are amazingly steep and jagged.

5) Gleniff Horseshoe:

The Gleniff horseshoe is a nice 10kms loop along quiet roads with spectacular views and dramatic and wild Dartry Mountains. The walk also provides dramatic views of the Donegal Bay and the Ulster County beyond. Arguably this is one of the best things to do in Sligo, you can explore it in a couple of ways:

• The walk: 9.1km/3-hour trail
• The drive: It takes 30 – 45 minutes (try to drive in the clockwise direction)

Gleniff Horseshoe is a pretty remote area of Sligo, but it can be easily accessed from the main N15 Sligo to Bundoran Road.

Driving tips:

• The valley is very rural therefore be cautious of sheep that are often wandering on roads. If the animals don’t move, beep your horn lightly.
• The road is small and windy, so make sure you act accordingly – pay attention, drive slowly, especially before curves and watch for other cars and walkers coming your way.

You can also see 2 caves (Diarmaid and Grinnes caves) on the top and please note that its not an easy climb to reach those caves.

Photos don’t do it justice, and words can’t capture how we felt being there. It’s truly magnificent, very much worth the drive on the narrow roads leading there. If it’s raining heavily, you might miss some spectacular views.

6) Devil’s Chimney:

The Devil’s Chimney is Ireland’s highest waterfall with a height of 150 meters. It sits on the border of County Sligo and County Leitrim, situated in the Dartry Mountains in the west of Ireland. It takes about 50 minutes to walk there from the parking lot. Devil’s Chimney isn’t too far from the Glencar Waterfall, so it’s easy to see both in the same day. NOTE: We did not go near the Devil’s Chimney

Devil’s Chimney Waterfall – in Irish, ‘Sruth in Aghaidh An Aird’ – lies on the Sligo/Leitrim border in the Glencar valley, close to its more famous neighbour Glencar waterfall which we will also visit. Its name in Irish means stream against the height and reflects the observed phenomena that during certain weather conditions (when the wind blows from the South) the waterfall is blown upward and back over the cliff from which it falls. Due to this it has become known as the devil’s chimney.

The waterfall does not flow during periods of dry weather; but it is particularly spectacular during or after periods of heavy rainfall. So a perfect off-season location to visit.

7) Glencar Waterfall:

It is a beautiful 50 foot tall waterfall with a great viewing platform. Take a short walk through the forest on a nature trail to reach the falls. It’s one of the best free things to do in County Sligo. You can also embark on the 7km Glencar Hill Walk from the same car park. This waterfall is over the county border and is located in County Leitrim, but it’s really nearby and easily accessible waterfall and a great one to keep in your list of things to cover in Sligo.

There is enough markings from the car parking area. After parking you car, you might have to cross the road from  and follow the short path and you will reach the waterfall within 5 minutes. Glencar Waterfall is situated near Glencar Lake. It is particularly impressive after rain and can be viewed from a lovely, wooded walk. It is famous for being an inspiration to Ireland’s greatest poet William Butler Yeats and features in his poem ‘The Stolen Child’. The facilities on site include a car park, picnic area, public toilets, playground, tearoom and Tourist Information Point.

Places covered on Day 2 (in detail):

1) Sligo Town (Including Sligo Abbey):

Sligo Town is on the banks of the Garavogue River. It is a typical Irish market town bustling with life, boasting a collection of traditional old pubs, a number of Neolithic sites nearby and is famed for its connections with the poet W.B. Yeats

Take a leisurely stroll (walking tours are also available) through the local streets where you can observe historic buildings like the Sligo Cathedral, shop at boutique stores, and enjoy the lively atmosphere that defines Sligo. You can also walk along the river that winds through the town and wander around the streets. You’ll see adorable houses, several decorated bridges, and colorful buildings.

Perhaps the most well-known of Sligo town attractions is The Abbey, the only medieval structure still standing in the town. It is a burial place of kings and princes, including the King of Briefne, who died in 1418, and successive chiefs of the ruling O’Conor clan. There is a small admission fee (around 5 Euros, I guess). NOTE: We were slightly running out of time and hence had to skip the Abbey visit but still managed to take some snaps from the road.

2) Rossess Point (Harbour/Village/Beach):

Rosses Point is a peninsula in County Sligo, Ireland, located at the entrance to Sligo Harbour. It is a delightful little town to head to just 10-minutes away from Sligo Town. Drop by the harbour and admire the picturesque backdrop of Sligo Bay and the Dartry Mountains.

It’s the perfect destination for a quick weekend getaway, with two kilometres of Blue Flag beaches to enjoy. There are plenty of good restaurants and accommodation in town, which give the place a lively vibe, especially in summer. Oyster Island lies off the coast from town, while Coney Island is just a bit further out.

3) Coney Island:

Coney Island (In Gaelic the name means “the island of rabbits”) is the largest and the most famous of the three islands off the northern coast of the Coolera peninsula.

The island lies in Sligo Bay between Rosses Point and Benbulben in the north, and Strandhill and Knocknarea to the south. The island which is 1½ miles long by ¾ mile across (around 400 acres)  is accessible by boat from the pier at Rosses Point, but the most popular route is by way of Cummeen Strand when the tide is out. This strand is exposed at low tide and is marked by 14 stone pillars for a distance of 5km leading to the island. We took a boat from Rosses Point to Coney island.

It’s actually a fun way of getting to Coney Island, known for its many rabbits! Unfortunately, we did not see atleast a single rabbit. So pity, isn’t it?

In 1862 the island had a population of 124 people, with 45 children attending the local school. The island now has only one family of permanent inhabitants, who can trace their history on the island back to the 1750s. The island is a haven of beauty and solitude. It’s a must if you’re in the area. You can explore old dwellings and imagine the island when it was more heavily populated.

4) Strandhill Beach:

Strandhill Beach in County Sligo is a popular surf beach featuring several schools catering for both beginners and experienced surfers. This place is renowned as one of Europe’s best and most consistent surfing breaks. Located 8km west of Sligo town, Strandhill Beach offers panoramic views of Knocknarea and Benbulben.

Strandhill Beach is one of Ireland’s most beautiful beaches. It is forbidden to swim here, due to the strong currents. Parking is free on the seafront; however, it can be difficult to find a spot (especially at the weekends or on fine sunny days).

5) Knocknarea:

Knocknarea is a large prominent hill west of Sligo town in County Sligo, Ireland, with a height of 327 metres. There is 6-8 kms loop trail reaching a height of 327m at Knocknarea’s summit. The walk to the summit of the mountain takes an average of 1 hour and is considered as a moderately challenging route.

The route is now known as Queen Maeve’s Trail; named after the legend that the huge cairn and tomb on the summit of the hill is her resting place. We did not take that walking trail.

6) Listoghil Cairn (Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery):

County Sligo is home to the largest and oldest collection of neolithic stone circles and dolmens found in Ireland. The Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is in a captivating part of Sligo, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Benbulben. It is situated at the centre of the Cuil Irra peninsula in County Sligo, is the second largest cemetery of megalithic tombs in Europe and is among Ireland’s oldest Carrowmore is managed by the Office of Public Works, a government body responsible for the care of national monuments.

A small visitor centre, which is subject to an entry fee, carpark and public toilets give access to about fourteen of the remaining monuments. Unfortunately, this place was closed for some renovation work when we visited.

7) Dunmoran Strand Beach:

Dunmoran Strand is surrounded by dunes and lies in a quite, rural region. A hiking trail leads along the beach and all the way to Aughris Head, 2,5 kilometres away. It was less crowded, compared to other beaches that we had visited in this trip.

Throughout the year the beach is frequented by walkers and surfers. Despite its obvious natural charms Dunmoran never gets busy and always retains its wild side. This unspoilt character extends to a complete lack of facilities – so bring everything you need with you, and take it home afterwards.

8) Aughris Head / Beach / Trail:

Aughris Head is located in a rural area in southern Silgo Bay. The ideal starting point for an exploration is the parking space at the Beach Bar, a traditional Irish pub. It is accessible via a narrow road not suitable for coaches. The newly redeveloped and extended Aughris Coastal Walk is one of the best coastal walks on the west coast of Ireland.

Place of Stay:

Property Details:

• It is a spacious 2 bedroomed apartment in the picturesque village of Grange along the Wild Atlantic Way.
• It’s just 5 minutes walk from Grange village. There is a regular bus service to Sligo and Ballyshannon (the bus stop is in walkable distance from the apartment)
• Langs Bar and Restaurant, Morans Bar and takeaway and Supervalu are all within walking distance from the apartment.
• The apartment is located behind the House owner’s house which has parking directly outside the door. It has an outdoor dining area with picnic bench and garden for use.
• It comes fully equipped with all essential items.

Our reviews:

• Rebecca was a great host, now wonder she is ranked as a Superhost in AirBNB.
• Rebecca was so communicative and had great recommendations for us.
• The house was so welcoming, spotlessly clean, had everything we needed, and we all loved it.
• Its nicely furbished and decorated.
• There were lot of toys and books made available in the house for children.
• A dedicated parking slot (with roof) was available.
• This is a perfect family-friendly place to stay. This house and hosts house were in the same compound.
• Major attractions like Streedagh Beach, Belbulbin mountain and Gleniff horseshoe are quite nearby.
• Supervalu nearby is relatively a bigger store.
• Host had kept a bottle of milk and a pack of butter in the kitchen for us.
• Even though public transport options are available nearby, it will be good to have a car if you are planning to stay here.
• Sligo city center is around 20minutes in car.
• Would definitely recommend this AirBNB property.

Summary:

Sligo is a charming county located on the northwest coast of Ireland. It is an underrated Irish county which is often missed by tourists when they plan their trip to Ireland. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant arts scene, and rich history.
The vast majority of Sligo Ireland’s sights are far from town and you will need to use public transport or have a car.

This itinerary is filled with beaches, hikes and scenic drives and I believe this blog post will give you an inspiration to visit this beautiful Irish county.