Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [387]
Activities
There are good opportunities for surfing (including several good surf schools at Strandhill, Click here), diving (notably off Mullaghmore, Click here) and kayaking. For the latter, contact Paddle Monkey ( 071-913 4977; www.paddlemonkey.info; 2hr trips adult/child €30/20).
Festivals & Events
Sligo knows how to kick up its heels. The tourist office also has details of walking festivals throughout the year.
Sligo Races (www.countysligoraces.com; early May-early Oct) The town’s race track pulls in punters during its colourful racing season.
Sligo Jazz Festival (www.sligojazzproject.com; mid-Jul) Sligo swings during this three-day festival.
Yeats International Festival (www.yeats-sligo.com; late Jul–mid-Aug) Irish poetry, music and culture are celebrated with three weeks of performances and events around town.
Sligo Live (www.sligolive.ie; Oct) Sligo’s biggest cultural event is this live music festival.
Sligo International Choral Festival (www.sligochoralfest.org; Nov) Gospel, folk and barbershop quartets are among the categories of this high-level competition.
Sleeping
BUDGET
White House Hostel ( 071-914 5160; whitehousehostel@gmail.com; Markievicz Rd; dm from €14; reception 8am-2pm & 5-10pm; ) To stay close to the action and mingle with fellow travellers, this easygoing IHH hostel is a good bet.
Harbour House ( 071-917 1547; www.harbourhousehostel.com; Finisklin Rd; dm €20, s €35-40, d €44-50; ) If you’re after a little budget luxury, head northwest of town to this excellent, well-equipped IHH hostel built in 1870 as a harbour master’s house. Colourful rooms come with TVs, firm beds and their own bathroom.
MIDRANGE & TOP END
You’ll find lots of B&Bs lining Pearse Rd; the best is the wonderful Pearse Lodge.
An Crúiscin Lan ( 071-916 2857; www.bandbsligo.ie; Connolly St; s standard/with private bathroom €35/60, d €60/90; ) The big selling point of the unfussy 10-room B&B ‘the full jug’ (the name of the pub once run by the owners, the McGettigan family) is its location near the heart of the action. The breakfast menu includes warming porridge and grilled plaice.
Pearse Lodge ( 071-916 1090; pearselodge@eircom.net; Pearse Rd; s €45-50, d €70-74; ) Welcoming owners Mary and Kieron not only impeccably maintain the six stylish guest rooms at their cosy B&B but are also up on what’s happening in town. Mary’s breakfast menu includes smoked salmon, French toast with bananas and homemade muesli (and Illy coffee!). A sunny sitting room opens to a newly landscaped garden. You won’t want to leave.
Tree Tops B&B ( 071-916 0160; www.sligobandb.com; Cleveragh Rd; s €48-52, d €74; ) When we visited, some wag had pointed the road sign reading ‘Tree Tops Guests’ into a nearby graveyard. Fear not: this cosy family home is highly recommended, with attractive, comfortable rooms. Coming from Pearse Rd, turn left at the graveyard; it’s just before the superette on your left.
Sligo Southern Hotel ( 071-916 2101; www.sligosouthernhotel.com; Strandhill Rd; s/d from €88/110; ) The grounds of this elegant hotel border the bus and train stations, and are just a five-minute walk from the town centre. Crimson- and burgundy-coloured public areas lead to plush rooms of varying sizes, combining superb facilities (including a fully kitted-out leisure centre) with comfortable charm. Service is spot-on.
Riverside Suites Hotel ( 071-914 8080; www.riversidesuiteshotelsligo.com; Millbrook; 1-bedroom apt €101-119, 2-bedroom apt €129-159; ) Riverside’s state-of-the-art apartments are fantastic value. All come with kitchens equipped with cookers, microwaves and dishwashers, and many have fabulous river views. One-bedroom apartments can sleep four adults comfortably, while two-bedroom apartments sleep six adults, with kids’ cots and roll-out beds also available. There’s a stylish Thai restaurant and bar in the same building.
Glass House ( 071-919 4300; www.theglasshouse.ie; Swan Point; r €109-130; ) Sligo’s boldest architectural statement is this svelte study in