If you’ve been to Sligo, you know it’s one of the most stunningly beautiful parts of the country. And if you haven’t been to Sligo, then you need to get there ASAP, because there is simply too much to do that you just cannot miss out on.
In a previous article, we told you all about the Lough Easkey Loop Walk, perched in the overwhelmingly beautiful Ox Mountains. Given the breath-taking scenery and tales to be told along the way, it’s probably one of the most rewarding walks you can do along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Luckily, we’re going to show you all the benefits of planning a short walking break this year around one of Ireland’s best trails. We’ve decided to tell you about all the amazing experiences you can find near the incredible Lough Easkey Loop Walk.
We can guarantee that you won’t run out of stuff to do on a walking break on the Wild Atlantic Way this year.
Enjoy a stay at the Diamond Coast Hotel
The Diamond Coast Hotel makes for a great stay during your few days in the area. They offer comfortable double, twin and triple rooms as well as spacious family rooms, all of which make for an amazing night’s sleep after all of your walking during the day.
The hotel has plenty of unreal dining options. The Coral Restaurant offers amazing cuisine and a great selection of wines. Stir Bistro has an amazing menu of steaks, seafood, burgers and Asian cuisine. And Inishaven Bar is a fantastic spot for wholesome Irish grub like fish and chips and their roast of the day, as well as an extensive menu of sandwiches and wraps, burgers, steaks, and absolutely loads more.
The bar also serves up a mean pint and there is regular live music.
Click HERE for more info.
Distance from Lough Easkey Loop Walk: 30 minutes
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Rest your head at Ocean Sands Hotel
Ocean Sands Hotel describes itself as the “epitome of coastal charm”. And they’re not wrong.
With a choice of rooms, suites and apartments, Ocean Sands Hotel is known for offering traditional Irish hospitality and luxury at the same time.
If you book one of their Sea View Rooms, you’re sure to be blown away every morning when you look out the window as you look over Killala Bay.
Click HERE for more info.
Distance from Lough Easkey Loop Walk: 27 minutes.
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Visit Enniscrone Beach
Enniscrone Beach is a stunning blue flag beach which stretches for 5km along. The quaint town of Enniscrone sits on one end of the beach, while on the other end is Killala Bay.
While you’re here, you’re likely to see people surfing, horse riding, walking, fishing and swimming.
Click HERE for more info.
Distance from Lough Easkey Loop: 18 minutes
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Check out the split rock
Also known as ‘Fionn’s Stone’, the split rock is a large boulder just off the R297 near Easkey. The massive rock, which is 6 meters long by 2.5 meters high, was transported here from the Ox Mountains to the south by the retreating glaciers.
But, legend has it that the mythical hunter and warrior Fionn Mac Cumhal cast the rock here form the top of the Ox Mountains.
Click HERE for more info.
Distance from Lough Easkey Loop: 4 minutes
Visit Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
Not only is Sligo full of stunningly beautiful nature, but it also has its fair share of historical sites to give you a glimpse into the Ireland of the past.
And one of those sites is Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, which is actually the largest cemetery of megalithic tombs in all of Ireland, with some of the monuments ranging from five thousand to five thousand eight hundred years old.
Archaeologists discovered 60 tombs on the site in 1960, 30 of which are visible.
There is also a visitor centre featuring an exhibition, as well as toilet facilities and parking.
Click HERE for more info.
Distance from Lough Easkey Loop: 37 minutes
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Head to Ireland’s highest waterfall
While you’re in the area, sure you may as well check out Ireland’s highest waterfall: Sruth In Aghaidh An Aird, also known as the Devil’s Chimney.
To get here, you have to first complete a 1.2km walk. But once you’re there, the views of Glencar Valley and the surrounding landscape are nothing short of spectacular.
The waterfall got the nickname ‘The Devil’s Chimney’ because when the wind blows from the south, the water sometimes falls upward.
Click HERE for more info.
Distance to Lough Easkey Loop: 55 minutes
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Go surfing
It’s no lie that the coast of Sligo is one of the best surfing spots not only in Ireland but in Europe.
So when you’re in the area, you really should experience it for yourself with tutor Seamus Mc Goldrick, professional bodyboarder and Strandhill native. He’ll teach you the basics of surfing and bodyboarding on This 2.5 hour guided experience, which includes all surfing equipment and access to changing rooms and showers. All you need to bring with you is swimming gear and a towel.
Seamus has been surfing in Strandhill his whole life and loves to share his knowledge of surfing and Sligo in general.
Click HERE for more info.
Distance to Lough Easkey Loop: 49 minutes.
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Head for a pint in Gilroy’s Bar
After your day of walking, exploring and activities, you might be a wee bit thirsty and fancy a pint. In that case, you should head to Gilroy’s Bar for a pint.
Based in the centre of Enniscrone Village, Gilroy’s prides itself on their friendly service while serving a fantastic pint.
Gilroy’s is also home to Áit Eile Restaurant, which serves up mouth-watering traditional Irish dishes such as sirloin steak, roast duck and Clew bay muscles, as well as delicious pizzas, seafood linguine and vegetarian options.
Click HERE for more info.
Distance to Lough Easkey Loop: 28 minutes
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Explore Lissadell House
Lissadell House is best known as the house where Constance Markievicz, one of the leaders of the 1916 Rising, spent her childhood. She was also the first woman to be elected to Dáil Éireann.
When visiting the home, you’ll come across multiple exhibitions showing off the extensively rich history of this property.
You can tour the house and two gardens, and then relax on the Lissadell House Tearooms.
Click HERE for more info.
Distance to Lough Easkey Loop: 58 minutes
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Try Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Stand Up Paddle Boarding is absolutely gas craic and a great way to take to the water in Sligo.
Sligo Bay SUP was founded in 2015 by Sligo man Niall Harte, who has many years of experience in multiple water sports and also has a great knowledge of Sligo.
A class with Niall is suitable for people of all ages, abilities and experience levels. All necessary equipment is supplied, so all you’ll need is some swimming gear and a towel.
You can have a go at stand-up paddleboarding in various locations around Sligo, like Lough Gill, Glencar Lake and Lissadell.
Click HERE for more info.
Distance to Lough Easkey Loop: Between 42 and 58 minutes.
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Enjoy some grub at Pudding Row
Winner of Best Cafe in Ireland 2018 at the Irish Restaurant Awards, you can be sure that you’re going to get a fantastic meal when you visit Pudding Row.
Pudding Row has attracted people from all over Ireland with its artisan bread, pastries, amazing coffee and organic produce, which is all homemade by owner Dervla.
Conveniently located on Main Street, Easkey, the café uses the best ingredients from the area to produce wholesome breakfast, lunch and sweet treats.
Click HERE for more info.
Distance to Lough Easkey Loop: 5 minutes
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Hop over to Coney Island
With its 400 acres of beaches, green fields, old stone walls and population of rabbits, Coney Island in Sligo Bay is the ideal place to enjoy a relaxed day out.
Coney Island is accessible via boat from the pier at Rosses Point, but the most popular route is Cummeen Strand, which is exposed at low tide and is marked by 14 stone pillars for a distance of 5km leading to the island.
When on the island, you’ll find that the locals are friendly and the beaches are mostly empty, and it’s pure bliss.
Click HERE for more info.
Distance to Lough Easkey Loop: 51 minutes
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For spectacular sights, invigorating sensations and unforgettable experiences, make your next short break a walking break on the Wild Atlantic Way. Walking makes your break.
For more information, visit www.wildatlanticway.com.
For more information or to plan your walking break on the Wild Atlantic Way, visit the Tales and Trails hub here.
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