Destination Guide: Co Sligo

Main Image; Ben Bulben, www.discoverireland.ie

Celebrate an Irish summer with our Fly The Flag Destination Guides featuring travel tips, restaurant recommendations, luxurious hotel stays and a focus on Irish shops and produce. If you are planning an Irish getaway – scroll and save for your next trip …

WHERE TO STAY

Teapot Lane Glamping

Best For: Adults only. Tea pot lane glamping is perfect for the ultimate couples escape or a group stay with old pals. The Glamping Forest Domes have beautiful modern glass exterior to enjoy the nature surrounds, woodburning stoves and a luxurious super king bed. How very snug. There is also the option of the unique Treehouse for couples which is most certainly a dreamy tree-top escape. Finally the quaint Bluebell Cottage is perfect for bigger groups. The venues are fitted with all of the necessary amenities and in a perfect location for nearby adventure activities – located on the Wild Atlantic Way on the borders of Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo. Mullaghmore Beach is nearby, as is Benbulben, Glencar Waterfall and many delicious places to eat like Harrisons Bar and Restaurant or Maddens Bridge Bar. Two night stays in all of the accommodation options start at €175 – with other special offers (including a Hen package) to have a look at; www.glampingireland.ie.

Coopershill House, Riverstown

Best For: A complete refresh. With better weather on the horizon (we hope), climbing the majestic Benbulben is one way to work up an appetite before enjoying a picnic on top of the world. The rewards are breathtaking views of Sligo’s Knocknarea mountain, Coney Island and up to the Slieve League cliffs in Donegal. That’s all part of a two-night stay at Coopershill House, which also includes breakfast and a four-course dinner, starting at €664; www.coopershill.com.

Castle Dargan Estate, B&B, Tullynagracken South, Carraroe

Best For: A trip to the spa, a game of golf, delicious meals all with a beautiful view. Castle Dargan Estate is a perfect spot to rest your head for a night, or two. The 170 acre estate is set across the beautiful, rolling hills of  Sligo. Boasting comfortable rooms and a unique atmosphere, B&B packages start at €250. Make the most of your stay with a visit to the Dargan Spa (included in the spa package) or book in for a round of golf. Strandhill beach is only 12km away, while Sligo town is 3.5km away, so you can explore the surrounding areas easily; www.castledargan.com.

WHERE TO SHOP

Paula Flynn of TheShopkeepers.com and THE GLOSS have collated a fabulously diverse and exciting list of independent retailers around Ireland for The Best Shops Ireland and we couldn’t resist featuring some of them in our Irish Destination Guides for the summer. Look no further, here is where to shop in Co Sligo.

Cosgrove & Son, 32 Market Street 

A fine food and family-run business, Cosgrove & Son was established in 1898 and is currently managed by the third and fourth generation of Cosgroves. Cosgrove & Son was the first shop to sell ice cream in Sligo, and after Ireland joined the EEC in 1973 they were quick to source and stock products from across Europe. The well-stocked shelves house a vast array of international and Irish gourmet goods. www.cosgroveandson.ie

Kate’s Kitchen, 3 Castle Street, Abbeyquarter North

Kate’s Kitchen is a major hidden gem in Sligo but one not to be missed. These fine folk will have you covered for all of your gourmet or gastronomic needs. Pre-order a homecooked meal, grab a takeaway coffee, or enjoy the delicious array of sweet and savoury treats (like sausage rolls or cherry scones) as well as browsing the grocery section – from artisan cheeses to cured meats and fine wines. Pre-order is the name of the game – from beef, chicken and veggie curries to  add to basket or daily fresh homemade wraps and soup or coronation chicken salad, to name a few – you won’t walk away hungry that is for sure. @kateskitchensligo

The Woollen Market, 42 Castle Street, Abbeyquarter North

The Woollen Market is renowned for working with smaller artisan woollen mills and talented weavers throughout Ireland – it showcases its own brand luxury woollen clothing and accessory collections with their timeless creations from sustainable and ethical suppliers. It is the perfect spot to pick up your Aran jumper on your travels around Ireland. www.thewoollenmarket.com

WHERE TO EAT

Top tips and hidden gems as recommended by our Food Editor Ciara McQuillan …

Nook Café, Lower Main Street, Rin, Collooney

Nook Café and Restaurant is run by award winning chef Ethan Reynolds. To prove that it is THAT good – the menu changes every month to reflect produce that is in season – as well as guaranteeing high quality dishes that are made fresh to order. They focus on using their locally sourced produce and making it to the best quality. There is also a fantastic children’s menu with organic options and local meats thrown in there. They serve an all encompassing menu from chicken and waffles (swoon) to summer avocado toast for breakfast, and for lunch what about a double bacon smashburger?Nook is a place to add to your foodie bucket list. www.nookcollooney.com

Coach Lane Restaurant at Donaghy’s Bar, 1-2 Lord Edward Street

Andy Donaghy’s multi-award winning restaurant The Coach Lane is a family business located in the heart of Sligo. The Coach Lane ensures to source local and fresh produce to serve their delectable signature dishes, which are paired with wines that will perfectly complement them and their friendly and polite staff take care and advise you if you so wish – what is not to like? Ricotta and spinach tortellini for a starter? Yes please! There is also gambas pil-pil or beautifully prepared north-west crab and avocado, followed by Atlantic Sea trout or rack of lamb, or the vegan option of the fine herb gnocchi and many more.  www.coachlanesligo.com

Hooked, Rocked Parade, Abbeyquarter

Located in the heart of Sligo Town, Hooked features a delicious range of international food alongside classic Irish staples. With a quirky and comfortable atmosphere and historical artefacts and contemporary art on display, the Hooked ethos is to create delicious meals with local produce – and oh boy they have got you covered. From a blooming brunch menu with fan favourites of Eggs Benedict chick’s style, their Donegal smoked salmon Turkish eggs or their ‘Flippin Unreal Pancakes’, they also offer lunch and dinner. Owner Anthony Gray is an experienced restaurateur and it is evident from the first bite. www.hookedsligo.ie

The Little Cottage Café, Rosses Point

The Little Cottage is an idyllic café and hatch situated at RossesPoint beach. Appreciate the beauty of Sligo by starting with a walk along Rosses beach, followed by a tasty takeaway coffee, sweet treat or  you can sit in and enjoy a Cottage toastie with baked and glazed Irish ham or a Little Cottage bruschetta or some buttermilk pancakes. They have it all – to go or to stay. @thelittlecottagecafe

WHERE TO VISIT

Where To Walk and Stop Off

Ben Bulben Loop, Co Sligo

One of Ireland’s most distinctive mountains, Ben Bulben was shaped by glaciers during the ice age. The 5.5km Ben Bulben Loop (Gortarowey) begins in a secluded forest area which later opens out to provide stunning views of Ben Bulben head, Donegal Bay, Mullaghmore and Classiebawn Castles, and the impressive Sliabh League mountains. STOP OFF: After you’ve explored the beauty of the area, head to the nearby Sligo town and enjoy a coffee in the Vintage Lane Café. www.thewildatlanticway.com

Where To Relax 

VOYA Seaweed Baths, Shore Road, Carrowbunnaun, Strandhill

Completely relax into your holiday with a detoxifying seaweed bath. The bath utilises the natural power of VOYA’s organic and hand-harvested seaweed to deeply moisturise your skin, increase circulation and promote healing. From wrap treatments to feet facials and skin enhancing procedures. There are many treatments to try out to get you feeling relaxed and help you fall straight into holiday mode. www.voyaseaweedbaths.com

Where To Surf

Mullaghmore Head

One of the best big-wave surfing spots in Ireland – this is THE spot for surfers. Whether you are the surfer or the ‘surfer viewer,’  head to Mullaghmore head and watch dare devils ride giant waves (some as big as 30ft) or take a scenic stroll along the cliffs and beaches with Cassiebawn Castle and Benbulben in the distance. www.discoverireland.ie

Where To Be Inspired

The Yeats Building, Hyde Bridge, Abbeyquarter North

A must-see in Sligo, take a trip to The Yeats Building in the heart of Sligo Town on the river Garavogue. In this building The Yeats Society celebrates the life and work of William Butler Yeats and his talented family – sisters Susan and Elizabeth and brother Jack. Sligo was a source of inspiration and creativity for all of his life. At the building you can visit the Yeats Exhibition and hear stories about the Yeats family. Visitors can also enjoy the Hyde Bridge Art Gallery, or even book an appointment into The Yeats Library. Take a look at the website before you go to see what’s on. There is also a beautiful gift shop and Lily’s and Lolly’s Café for your post-poetry needs. www.yeatssociety.com

If you visit any of these spots on your next trip to Co Sligo, be sure to let us know! Tag us on Instagram using #FlyTheFlag and @theglossmag. Or email us on digital@thegloss.ie, we would love to hear from you …