Vincent & Martina.’s guidebook
Woodland
Union Wood is situated right beside us here in Ballisodare.
There are miles of well maintained gravel roadways for walking and also extensive off road trails used by mountain bikers.The route to Union Rock is fairly easy and well worth the effort. Wonderful views out over Ballisodare Bay, The Ox Mountains, Knocknarea, and Ben Bulben Part of the Sligo Way goes through Union, past Lough Lumman and on to Slish Wood.
There are many access points into the wood. In Ballisodare there is one off the village main street that goes through the housing estate, under the railway bridge and under the motorway bridge. Another is about 1km outside the village at Ballisodare Community Centre and football pitches. lots of parking here and you are right beside the wood.
16 locals recommend
Union Wood
Union Wood is situated right beside us here in Ballisodare.
There are miles of well maintained gravel roadways for walking and also extensive off road trails used by mountain bikers.The route to Union Rock is fairly easy and well worth the effort. Wonderful views out over Ballisodare Bay, The Ox Mountains, Knocknarea, and Ben Bulben Part of the Sligo Way goes through Union, past Lough Lumman and on to Slish Wood.
There are many access points into the wood. In Ballisodare there is one off the village main street that goes through the housing estate, under the railway bridge and under the motorway bridge. Another is about 1km outside the village at Ballisodare Community Centre and football pitches. lots of parking here and you are right beside the wood.
Hazelwood Forest
Slish Wood
Dooney Rock Forest
R287Seaside
Rosses Point
Very popular with locals and visitors, surfers and non surfers.
Please be aware that due to very strong currents Strandhill is not recommended for swimming.
52 locals recommend
Strandhill
Very popular with locals and visitors, surfers and non surfers.
Please be aware that due to very strong currents Strandhill is not recommended for swimming.
Much, much quieter than the seafront and beach at Strandhill just around the corner. This area is tidal so depending on the state of the tide Cullenamore Beach can have just a narrow strip of beach visible or miles of flat softish sand. You can walk from Strandhil to Cullenamorel. Go past the national school, past the Golf Club, keep to the left and the path will bring you onto the beach. Or, just outside the village on R292 there is a small road that goes to the beach with parking for a limited number of cars. If you want a nice walk you can go right around the point that will take you back to Strandhill Beach and the prom.
Cullenamore Beach
Much, much quieter than the seafront and beach at Strandhill just around the corner. This area is tidal so depending on the state of the tide Cullenamore Beach can have just a narrow strip of beach visible or miles of flat softish sand. You can walk from Strandhil to Cullenamorel. Go past the national school, past the Golf Club, keep to the left and the path will bring you onto the beach. Or, just outside the village on R292 there is a small road that goes to the beach with parking for a limited number of cars. If you want a nice walk you can go right around the point that will take you back to Strandhill Beach and the prom.
Cartys Strand is on Coney Island. To visit Coney Island you have to be fully aware of the tide times and also be aware that if you drive across Cummeen strand to the island you will often have a lot of salty water lying on the sand.
6 locals recommend
Coney Island, County Sligo
Cartys Strand is on Coney Island. To visit Coney Island you have to be fully aware of the tide times and also be aware that if you drive across Cummeen strand to the island you will often have a lot of salty water lying on the sand.
Dunmoran is about 12 mls from Ballisodare. There is a good size car park but at very busy times you may have to park along the road. In the distance you will see Aughris Pier that has a very good scenic walk around the headland. Between Dunmoran and Aughris is the Beach Bar, a lovely old thatched pub in a fantastic setting that does food.
19 locals recommend
Dunmoran Strand
Dunmoran is about 12 mls from Ballisodare. There is a good size car park but at very busy times you may have to park along the road. In the distance you will see Aughris Pier that has a very good scenic walk around the headland. Between Dunmoran and Aughris is the Beach Bar, a lovely old thatched pub in a fantastic setting that does food.
A walk around the headland that starts at Aughris Pier.
Fantastic views back towards Dunmoran Strand, Sligo Bay, Donegal Bay and the mountains of Donegal. The walk is about 5K in total, the second part of which goes a bit inland and comes back via country roads to the crossroads at The Beach Bar.
The route along the headland is not suitable for buggys.
10 locals recommend
Aughris Head
A walk around the headland that starts at Aughris Pier.
Fantastic views back towards Dunmoran Strand, Sligo Bay, Donegal Bay and the mountains of Donegal. The walk is about 5K in total, the second part of which goes a bit inland and comes back via country roads to the crossroads at The Beach Bar.
The route along the headland is not suitable for buggys.
Sightseeing
There are two routes to the top of Knocknarea. One starts at the Rugby Club in Strandhill and much of the route is boardwalk. The other route starts at Primrose Grange and is a little shorter and steeper. Whichever route you choose you will be rewarded with stunning views of Sligo and surrounding counties
53 locals recommend
Knocknarea
There are two routes to the top of Knocknarea. One starts at the Rugby Club in Strandhill and much of the route is boardwalk. The other route starts at Primrose Grange and is a little shorter and steeper. Whichever route you choose you will be rewarded with stunning views of Sligo and surrounding counties
Glencar Waterfall
Devil’s Chimney
Gleniff Horseshoe Drive
Arts & Culture
Yeats Building
Lower O'Connell StreetThe Model, home of the Niland Collection
The MallSligo Abbey
Abbey StreetLissadell House
Cafes
You can have a meal or a snack. There is seating upstairs, or the ever popular outdoor seating at the front and back.
Tempo Cafe
Main StreetYou can have a meal or a snack. There is seating upstairs, or the ever popular outdoor seating at the front and back.
Lyons Café and Bakeshop
Quay StreetKnox
32 O'Connell StWB's Coffee House
10 Stephen StreetKate's Kitchen
3 Castle StFood & Drink
A friendly local pub in Ballisodare. In its earlier days it was a grocery, pub and clothes shop all in one.
O'Connor's Bar & Lounge
Main StreetA friendly local pub in Ballisodare. In its earlier days it was a grocery, pub and clothes shop all in one.
Close to Dunmoran Beach and the lovely headland walk at Aughris. Beautiful location right on the beach, with lovely views over Sligo Bay. Bar food and restaurant.
20 locals recommend
Beach Bar & Aughris House
Close to Dunmoran Beach and the lovely headland walk at Aughris. Beautiful location right on the beach, with lovely views over Sligo Bay. Bar food and restaurant.
Hargadon Brothers Wine & Food
O'Connell StreetFiddlers Creek Restaurant & Bar
Rockwood ParadeConnolly's Pub, Markievicz Road station
Shoot the Crows
Embassy Steakhouse Restaurant
John F Kennedy Parade