The Wild Atlantic Way: County Sligo, Ireland in 5 Days

There are countless things in the area to do and see, especially for the outdoors lover. The beaches range from renowned for surfing to hidden and peaceful. If you love the ocean and the whole “beach town” vibe, you must visit Strandhill. This small village is right on the beach. The village has numerous surf schools because the waves here are remarkable and definitely worth a 2.5-hour lesson on catching the perfect wave! One of my favorites was rebellesurf.com. This company focuses on women’s surfing, but they have classes that are open to everyone. This company was founded by a woman who brought joy back through surfing.

Another great beach for a walk and stroll is Streedagh Beach. This beach has a great view of Benbulbin Mountain with a long beach to enjoy an evening stroll along. The sand dunes past the beach have a few walking trails among them as well, so it’s perfect for an easy walk or maybe a nice jog.

If you want more yin than yang, perhaps the HotBox sauna at Rosses Point is for you. Think wild Atlantic ocean, a hot, revitalizing sauna, and mix the two! This sauna experience is truly one of a kind. Book your time in the sauna and when you need to step out to cool off in the cold bath, you can choose to go in the cold bath OR take a dip right in the ocean. This was such an incredible experience that you feel so regulated and at peace when you leave. Check out all the details at hotboxsauna.ie for bookings or alternate locations throughout Ireland.

Another incredible thing this area is known for are the megalithic tombs and cemeteries. These burial spots are older than the Pyramids, dating back to over 4000 years. There are sites that require payment to see and there are sites you can literally pull over your car, park, and walk a short path to see them. Depending on your budget and time, you could visit a site every single day. A couple of my favorites are Carrowkeel Megalithic Complex and Creevykeel Court Tomb. Carrowkeel is a collection of passage tomb cairns located in the Bricklieve Mountains, while Creevykeel is located along the N15 Donegal Town to Sligo road. Creevykeel is one of the finest examples of a court tomb remaining in Ireland.

One can’t visit the Wild Atlantic Way in rural Ireland without visiting a local pub or two, or three. Pubs are literally everywhere, from the bigger cities like Sligo to the smallest villages. Pubs are great for providing a place for locals and non locals to come together for a pint and perhaps a wood-fired pizza or fish ‘n chips.

Some of my favorites were Walker 1781 in Sligo Town. Walker had such a great and unique menu. They had some pub favorites, but with a twist. You can check out their menu and more at walker1781.com

Rathcormac is a small village known for its Saturday market of local artisans and makers. They also have a great pub right on the bus route, Currid’s. This is a warm, inviting pub that made me feel right at home while I waited for the local bus. They are a true local Irish pub that makes everyone feel welcome.

And finally, The Swagman pub in Sligo Town was a great find and recommendation from a local. My wife and I were told this pub was a “safe place” for the LGBTQ community, which is a great thing! We loved our food and the atmosphere was friendly, welcoming, and the overall vibe was cool and quirky. Definitely a fun spot! If pubs aren’t your thing, there are numerous coffee shops and cafes that are top notch. A couple of my favorites were Esquires - The Organic Coffee Co (Sligo) and Vintage Lane Cafe in Rathcormac. Esquires was great because the coffee was organic and they had a fun and varied menu. You can check out their menu and other locations at esquirescoffee.ie. Vintage Lane Cafe was a quaint cafe nestled right beside the Rathcormac Artisan Market. The cafe had a breakfast, brunch, and lunch menu and coffees and teas. They do not have a website, but you can check out their Facebook or Instagram pages.