Location: Sligo
Top Things to do in Sligo
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What to do and see in Sligo, Ireland: The Best Places and Tips
Sligo (Irish: Sligeach, meaning "abounding in shells" — /ˈslaɪɡoʊ/ SLY-goh; Irish pronunciation: [ˈɕlʲɪɟəx]) is a coastal seaport and the county town of County Sligo, Ireland, within the western province of Connacht. With a population of approximately 20,000 in 2016, it is the second largest urban centre in the West of Ireland, with only Galway being larger. The Sligo Borough District constitutes 61% (38,581) of the county's population of 63,000.
Restaurants in Sligo
1. Ewings Sea Angling and Boat Charters
Overall Ratings
5 based on 109 reviews
Join us on board our charter boats for the most amazing experience of the Atlantic Ocean! Catch that fish you've always dreamed of catching. Feel enthralled by the wildlife and beauty on a floating eco-tourism tour. Eat the freshest fish you've have ever tasted, caught by your own hand. Sligo Boat Charters offers the best boat trips in Sligo and Donegal Bay that can be customized to do, or catch, exactly what you want. We catch more fish, offer better value for money and offer the best selection of trips and fun party ideas for beginners and experts. Simply bring wet gear and we'll provide the rest under the nurturing eye of your highly experienced and qualified skipper. Located in Rosses Point, Co. Sligo, nestled under the Benbulben and Knocknarea Mountains, we are based in the quintessential haven of the Wild Atlantic Way. Book a trip with us so you can hear the call of the seagulls, taste the salty air and experience firsthand, the magic of Sligo Bay. We look forward to welcoming you on board! Services available include deep sea angling, reef fishing, shark fishing (August-October), Coney Island water taxis (Great for a BBQ'ers, swimmers and walkers), Inishmurray Island trips, sightseeing trips and eco tourism cruises. Trips can be tailor made to suit any customer or budget and include modest half day, full day and evening trip rates for groups, individuals and children. Rods and tackle are available for hire on board, beginners and families welcome! Gift vouchers available.
Reviewed By Grahsm W
this was my first time sea fishing, and i had a great day, there was a good bunch of people on the boat, and a fair few fish were caught too, Daryl is a great host and an extremely knowledgeable fisherman and boat captain. i loved every moment and will defiantly go out again. the only down side was having to gut and fillet a load of fish at the end of a long day, but the freezer is well stocked and the recipe books are out. see you again next year Daryl, and ill bring a few more people with me next time too, as everyone i have talked to about it has said they would love to have a go aswell
2. Knocknarea
Overall Ratings
5 based on 502 reviews
Reviewed By Emma C - Hadleigh, United Kingdom
The views are wonderful and well worth the hard climb to the top. Well signed and good car park. A lovely afternoon in the sun.
3. Strandhill Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 424 reviews
Reviewed By SligoE - London
Strand hill is perfect for sitting on the prom wall, watching the waves roll in with surfers dashing across the wave tops. Sadly, the water is unsafe for paddling or swimming and the driving and parking along the prom makes it a stressful experience with young children. Someone actually mounted the curb while we sat on the wall.
4. Drumcliffe Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
Reviewed By preglad - New York
Recently while my much saner wife handily shopped virtually next door, i returned for another wrestle in a lovely historic memorial setting, inclusive of thoroughly atmospheric country church. Of course, Drumcliff Church Cemetery is immediately adjacent to the grave of William Butler Yeats-by which many blow past but I procrastinate both herein and while there.
WB wrote what became a personal epitaph found famously in the conclusion of his wonderful poem written and titled "Under Ben Bullin" (mountain) nearby.
"Cast a cold eye
On life, on death.
Horseman, pass by!"
Poets, and other artists tend to jostle with our minds and relish leaving us a bit perplexed. There are those johnny come latelys - inclusive of some critics and professors - who presume to tell us precisely what artisans mean, as if they ever valued such compact precision at all. I tend to think of exactitude as more the battlefield of scientists and tacticians than stellar wordsmiths.
Be wary of those who cannot create, many tending, as the expression goes, to instead "teach" (as in tell). However better teachers tend generally also to motivate, suggest or elicit viable options rather than directly inform or tell. As a lifelong teacher, I believe it naive or offensive to determine meanings of art for others.
Consider the famous frost idea of taking"... the road less traveled by ...which made all the difference". For most the road less by clearly means the infrequent option, the more challenging, difficult or demanding choice, so they hear I took the tough course, making all the difference in my life.
However Frost, like Yeats, isn't essentially so much a determinist as all that. Could the road less traveled by not also suggest-in the road less traveled past (as in passed by?. Did he perhapsmean to fashion an ambiguity which suggest the possibility of us not knowing which road he took at all, but the decision, not to waiver or withdraw, rather to proceed in whatever's chosen as the key action in deciphering this classic line?
It's fun to speculate, to open our minds to possibilities. When Yeats somehow equates life and death and suggests whatever horseman pass by, the options are multiple as to his thoughts and perhaps less than presumptive advice about now, later and wishes about whom or whatever may be galloping when or where ever.
Yup! Poets love messing with our heads. Enjoy the gamesmanship they left us or cast a cold eye and pass by, ye horsemen, their words and mine.
5. Glencar Waterfall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 383 reviews
Reviewed By ie_hh - Santa Monica, California
Beautiful walk through the glen to see the waterfall. Good footpath up to waterfall, lots of steps to get up close. There’s a large car park and very clean rest rooms. Also a new cafe with a great outdoor play area for kids.
6. National Shrine of Our Lady of Knock
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 318 reviews
Reviewed By preglad - New York
I'm not going to get into any faith oriented debates relative to these three among Western Europe's most famously visited examples of Mary revered sites. From the mid 1950's, there was a virtual frenzy aimed at the embellishment of Marian related locations, some would say inspired over time more by the Prospect of fiscal attraction than religious fealty.
How else does a totally rural area, whose entire west coast includes but one somewhat inconveniently distant city, come to retain an international airport? How does another build dueling massive edifices widely expanding a once tiny arena of engagement? And how do each of the three not feel a little more embarrassed about the intrinsic irony of expansive Enterprise?
People like easy answers and guarantees of somehow defying a fragile temporal life. It's why we have kids (well at least one of the less immediately factoring reasons) and self preservations's our strongest instinct. Give them a variety of pudding proofs and all's the better. We all want to feel reassured and many tend not to dicker about the details.
I think, when all three sites were more simply focused, essentially unpaved and devoid of official parking areas, six sizes of commemorative candles, hotel chains and dueling holy water bottle combo deals, it was a little less complicating to frame a desirable context sustaining aura and mystique.
7. Benbulben
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 278 reviews
Reviewed By Linerguy - Lawrenceburg, IN
This area in County Sligo is just remarkable (then again most places in Ireland are remarkable). There's so much to see. Eagle's Rock, Gleniff Horseshoe Drive, Yeat's grave, the list goes on and on. Dominating all of this is Benbulben. It seems like it looms over everything, and, incredibly, it looks completely different on each side.
Since we were on a schedule, we didn't hike up the mountain. We basically drove around, looking for roads that would get us as close as possible. I looked on my phone and found a place named "Luke's Bridge". Between my GPS and the signs, it was pretty easy to find. It pretty much takes you right in front of Benbulben, and I suppose if you wanted to hike around the area, it would be a great starting point. The road itself isn't great, but if you take your time you should be fine.
Benbulben itself is just spectacular; it's probably the most interesting mountain we've ever seen. I can only imagine how amazing it would be to hike to the top.
8. Voya Seaweed Baths
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 297 reviews
Voya Seaweed Baths Strandhill, only a few minutes from Sligo town offers Seaweed Baths, unique seaweed based treatments including seaweed body wraps, facials and other therapies to detoxify the body. Seaweed baths have been a tradition in Ireland for hundreds of years and are Ireland’s only indigenous spa therapy. If you’re looking for things to do in sligo, Voya Seaweed Baths is certainly a must!
Reviewed By CaitDublin_Ireland - Dublin, Ireland
I try to visit here every couple of months. I would do it much more often if I lived in Sligo. I get bored sitting in the bath for ages so I always book a double bath so I can chat with a friend/my other half. The rooms are alway really clean and the atmosphere is relaxed.
There is nothing posh about the place but neither are the prices!
Ask for a loyalty card. I found out from a regular that they have them (and then the employee confirmed that they have them for years) but I've been going there for years and have never been offered one. Bad form but not enough to stop me going back.
Try a walk beforehand, you'll feel so refreshed after.
9. Yeats's Grave
Overall Ratings
4 based on 246 reviews
Reviewed By Unelma333 - Karlsruhe, Germany
The grave itself is rather simple, but if you are interested in literature, it is a special feeling to pay your respects to this Nobel laureate. Also it is a wonderful, tranquil spot, with a beautiful church, a high cross and a small visitor's center, where you can grab a coffee and buy some of Yeats's works. A very nice stop altogether.
10. Parke's Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 160 reviews
Reviewed By Aquinasduffy - Dublin, Ireland
At the time of visiting the courtyard was being renovated so that section was closed as was the tea rooms. But the good side was that entrance was free. It is a most beautiful castle overlooking Lough Gill.
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