Get a spring in your step and explore our beautiful Sligo, whether you’re after adventure, great food or a relaxing experience Sligo is filled with amazing experiences. Many of the wonderful activities are preparing to open back up and welcome visitors this spring.
1. Coleman Traditional Music Centre
The Coleman Irish Music Centre, situated in Gurteen, Co. Sligo, is one of the best equipped Irish music centres of Traditional Irish Music in Ireland and is dedicated to the memory of the legendary fiddle player, Michael Coleman (1891-1945) universally acclaimed as one of the finest traditional fiddle players of his era. The Irish music centre which draws together the many strands of south Sligo’s rich musical heritage was founded with the aim to preserve, promote and foster Irish traditional music, culture, heritage, the Irish language and to generate socio-economic activity in the local area.
Opening: All Year-Round Monday to Saturday 10:00am to 5:30pm
2. Sligo Folk Park
Sligo Folk Park is located in the beautiful village of Riverstown, County Sligo. This community based attraction provides a true experience of rural life and Irish heritage at the turn of the 19th Century. The Folk Park is set in the grounds of the authentically restored Millview House, which was originally built in 1873 by George Reid a farmer, shoemaker and the local church sexton. Stroll around the park and visit the wonderful museum and evocative exhibition hall which houses one of Ireland’s finest collections of rural history and agricultural artefacts.
Opening: Monday, Wed – Sat 12:00pm – 2:30pm 3:00pm – 5:30pm.
3. Eagles Flying, Ballymote
Catch a spectacular interactive show, with eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures, and owls. Eagles flying in the south of Sligo is Irelands largest sanctuary for raptors and owls and is home to the Irish raptor research centre that was established in 1999. They also have a wonderful petting zoo where you can meet guinea pigs, rabbits, lambs, goats, pigs, donkeys and more.
Opening: April 1st
4. Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
Carrowmore is home to the largest cemetery of megalithic tombs in Ireland. It is located south-west of Sligo town, right at the heart of the Cúil Írra Peninsula, an area alive with prehistoric significance. There are more than 30 stone tombs, many of which are still visible, most of which are passage tombs and boulder circles. There are various forts and standing stones in the area too. The origins of these monuments reach far into prehistory – the most ancient among them is close to 6,000 years old.
www.discoverireland.ie/sligo/carrowmore-megalithic-cemetery
5. Sligo Oyster Experience Farm Tour
Enjoy a unique seafood experience at the Sligo Oyster Farm Tour guided by Aisling owner of Sligo Oyster Experience. Learn all about Sligo’s ancient seafood and get exclusive access to a long-established working oyster farm producing delicious oysters. Learn about the care, craft and expertise that goes into growing Sligo Bay Oysters from a tiny seed all the way to your plate and take in the views of the iconic mountains of Benbulben and Knocknarea, the grand expanse of Sligo Bay and learn how land and sea together influence the taste of our oysters. Complete the experience by enjoying oysters by the shore with a local craft beer, bubbles, and refreshments.
Opening: Every Friday at 11am The 1.5-hour tour must be pre-booked
6. Taste of Sligo Food Tour with Anthony Gray
The Taste of Sligo food tour is a 2.5-hour long foodie tour of Sligo’s finest venues. Host Anthony Gray takes you into the heart of Sligo town to experience exquisite culinary delights from Sligo’s award-winning chefs. You will visit 5-7 of the best of Sligo’s venues, taste and sample local food delights and beverages with a focus on the freshest local produce. There is no better way to explore Sligo than through its hospitality industry in good company.
Opening: Monday, Wed – Sat 12:00pm – 2:30pm 3:00pm – 5:30pm. Must be pre-booked.
7. Voya Seaweed Baths
VOYA Seaweed Baths mission, based on their knowledge and respect for the local tradition of seaweed baths, and with emphasis on ensuring environmental sustainability, is to share with customers the full therapeutic power of nature in its purest form through their offering of seaweed baths and therapy.
At the bathhouse, the seaweeds are hand harvested on the Atlantic Coast. Imagine relaxing in a luxurious steaming organic seaweed bath this Spring or try a massage, exfoliate, or body wrap. VOYA has used generations of acquired wisdom about the sea to bring you an organic beauty range designed to delight and purify your body.
Opening: Monday – Thursday 10am – 6pm, Friday – Sunday 10am – 6pm.
Commercial imagery by Suzy McCanny Photography
8. The Model, Home of the Niland Collection
The Model is a world-class visitor centre that boasts a restaurant and coffee shop, a bookshop, a wonderful gallery circuit, a purpose-built performance space, and a suite of impressive artist studios on the top floor, with enviable views of Sligo Town and County.
This award-winning building is home to one of the most notable public art collections in Ireland, which features one of the largest public holdings of work by Jack Butler Yeats in existence. The Niland Collection also features a broad range of both traditional and contemporary works by artists including Norah McGuinness, Dorothy Cross, Alice Maher, Clodagh Emoe, Eamon O’Kane, Sean McSweeney, Estella Solomons, and Paul Henry amongst many others.
What’s on: This February The Model welcomes artists Dominic Corrigan and Tessa Marsden to present their work at the Artist Breakfast Club.
Opening: Tues – Sat 11.00am – 5.00pm Cafe: 11.00am – 4.00pm lunch served 12.00 – 3.00pm
9. Drumcliffe Church
Drumcliffe Church and Churchyard the final resting place of the internationally famous poet W.B. Yeats.
Pilgrims and Visitors have been visiting Drumcliffe for over 1500 years. Drumcliffe Church and Churchyard has an array of points of interest to discover. From the remains of the ancient monastery to the burial place of W.B. Yeats, the current Church of Ireland Church and its fascinating history. Why not book an audio guide tour of this amazing place!
10. Kilcullen’s Seaweed Bath
The Traditional Hot Seaweed Baths, Relaxing, Therapeutic, Natural and Pure established in 1912 located in the beautiful coastal town of Enniscrone.
In 1912, the year of the “Titanic” the doors of Kilcullen’s Bath House opened for business. For over 100 years and into the fifth generation of ownership by the same family the Bath House has opened its doors for the summer tourist season. The therapeutic power of the Seaweed Bath is attributed to the high concentration of Iodine that occurs naturally in Sea Water and in Seaweed. In its growing process Seaweed extracts this Iodine from the surrounding Sea Water and concentrates it in its fronds to such an extent that some seaweeds have up to 20,000 times the concentration of Iodine of the water in which they grow.
Invigorate yourself this Spring at the Bath House the “full treatment” comprises a “Steam & Seaweed Bath”.
Opening: Jan, Feb, March closed Tues & Wed
April 1st Mon-Fri 12-8pm Sat-Sun 10-8pm
11. Waterpoint Aqua Park
Waterpoint Aqua Park is based in the beautiful seaside village of Enniscrone. Its facilities include; an indoor heated pool, a 65-metre flume waterslide, a separate children’s pool, children’s party room and climbing wall. A health suite comprising of a jacuzzi, sauna and steam room as well as a fully equipped gym.
Outdoors there are 3 Astroturf Pitches and Inflatable Obstacle Course. Fun for all ages.
Opening: Mon – Fri 9 a.m. – 9p.m.
Weekend 12 a.m. – 5 p.m.
12. Hike & Yoga Excursion with Bláithin Sweeney
This outdoor yoga adventure combines the exhilaration of scaling new heights whilst finding mindfulness in connection with nature. The guided hike will take you to one of Sligo’s many breath-taking vantage points with the journey enhanced along the way by earthy meditations. Upon reaching your destination you will be guided through a stress releasing and energising yoga sequence with the most expansive yoga studio view you’ll ever experience. Mountain top picnic is included as part of the package. You’ll takeaway tools to help you destress in any location or situation.
Opening: March 1st – This is a half day experience.
13. Yeats Society Sligo
The Sligo-based appreciation society celebrates the life and work of poet laureate WB Yeats and his talented family along with hosting the world’s longest-running annual literary summer school. Hyde Bridge Gallery supports young and emerging artists providing free access to contemporary visual arts to visitors.
2021 saw the launch of ‘Yeats Unwrapped’ the App (free to download now from Google Play and the App Store) the first to commemorate an Irish literary figure. Visitors to Sligo can follow in the footsteps of the poet through a series of experiential nature trails and linking the many beautiful locations throughout Sligo to the enduring poetry of National Poet WB Yeats.
*Yeats exhibition currently closed for renovation, due to reopen 23rd April*
*Gallery open 1st March
14. Sligo Surf Experience
Sligo Surf Experience surf school is located in Strandhill where you can learn to surf at Ireland’s best surfing beach. Breathe in the fresh Atlantic sea air, feel the wind on your face and hear the crash of the waves as you step off the edge of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and experience the thrill of catching your first wave.
Opening: March 1st
15. Northwest Adventure Tours
Whether you want a guided SUP trip from Sligo Town, a hiking tour on Benbulben, a cycle or an underwater experience then put yourself in the hands of Northwest Adventure Tours.
Spring Hiking series: Northwest Adventure tours guided hikes kick off in Sligo in early March. visit hiking section of website for full details of Sligo hikes.
Opening: Guided Hikes in Sligo available from March 1st
www.northwestadventuretours.ie
16. Rebelle Surf
Surf lessons in Strandhill and Streedagh. If you are looking for a new experience or to take up where you left off, a family activity for you or your kids or a corporate group team building activity or staff outing, this is a great place to start. Rebelle Surf have lessons to suit everyone. Learn to surf with a beginner surf lesson, improve with an intermediate level 2 lesson or request a private guiding session for groups, families, or solo surfers.
Opening: Scheduled and private surf lessons available for Feb 26th
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