Autumn Experiences In Sligo
We’ve put together a list of lovely experiences you can sample in the quieter off-season period in Sligo. Autumn Experiences you won’t forget.
Name: Coleman Traditional Irish Music Centre
Location: Gurteen
Description: The centre is a celebration of Irish Music, Culture and Heritage as expressed in the South Sligo Style!
The Coleman Music Centre is a community based traditional music and cultural centre, it is dedicated to the memory of the legendary fiddle player, Michael Coleman, universally acclaimed as one of the finest traditional fiddle players of his era.
Visitors can experience an audio-visual presentation on the history of Irish Traditional music and the exhibition area with its interactive multimedia of various musicians, their music and styles from the beginning of the last century to modern times. Learn about Irish dancing styles and tradition, how musical instruments are made and much more. The Coleman Archive houses an extensive collection of music, folklore, songs, videos, photographs and has a link to the National Comhaltas Archive.
Gift shop stocks a vast selection of traditional music audio, books, musical instruments and accessories, gift ideas and lots more.
Now enrolling (September) for a lively mix of weekly music classes including Fiddle, Flute, Whistle, Mandolin, Button & Piano Accordion, Banjo, Bodhrán, Guitar, Keyboard, Adult Music Classes, Singing Lessons and One-to-One Classes.
Pre-book your tickets: www.colemanirishmusic.com
Contact Name:
Phone: 071 9182599
Email: info@colemanirishmusic.com
Website: www.colemanirishmusic.com
Opening Days & Hours: Open All Year-Round Monday to Saturday 10:00am to 5:30pm Price: Adults €5, Family €10
Name: Eagles Flying
Location: Ballymote
Description: Spectacular interactive bird shows with eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures and owls. The Attraction for All the Family! Excitement, Fun, Photo opportunities and much more. Nestled in the green hills of south Sligo, it is Ireland’s largest sanctuary for raptors and owls.
The Irish Raptor Research Centre was established in 1999 as an institution for research on birds of prey and in 2003 parts of the area were opened to the public. Now Eagles Flying is one of the major tourist attractions in the northern part of Ireland attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually to see the spectacular interactive bird shows. During the entertaining interactive bird shows visitors can experience different types of raptors flying right over their head or landing next to them.
There is also a large supervised Petting-Zoo. Here, visitors can get hands-on with guinea-pigs, pigs, rabbits, lambs, goats, donkeys, ferrets, Grizzly, the raccoon, Tui and Allan, the tame foxes and Monty, the 4 metre python.
Pre-book your tickets: www.eaglesflying.com
Contact Name: Lothar Muschketat
Phone: Tel: (071) 918 9310 Mob: 087-2110538
Email: eagles.flying@hotmail.com
Website: www.eaglesflying.com
Opening Days & Hours:
Until 7th November inclusive 10.30a.m. – 12.30p.m. 2.30p.m. – 4.30p.m.
2-hour programme Guided Tour, Show, Petting Zoo. BIRD SHOW every day at 11a.m. & 3p.m. Price: Adult €15.90, Child €8.90, Under 3’s Free, Family €45.90
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Name: Yeats Society Sligo
Location: Yeats Building, Hyde Bridge
Description: The Sligo-based appreciation society celebrates the life and work of poet laureate WB Yeats and his talented family along with hosting the world’s longest-running annual literary summer school.
The Yeats Building is a hub for literary culture and the arts and in 2019 the Yeats International Summer celebrated its 60th year. Hyde Bridge Gallery supports young and emerging artists providing free access to contemporary visual arts to visitors.
2021 saw the launch of ‘Yeats Unwrapped’ the App (free to download now from Google Play and the App Store) the first to commemorate an Irish literary figure. Visitors to Sligo can follow in the footsteps of the poet through a series of experiential nature trails, and linking the many beautiful locations throughout Sligo to the enduring poetry of National Poet WB Yeats.
Contact Name: Susan O’Keefe
Phone: 071 91 42693
Email: info@yeatssociety.com
Website: www.yeatssociety.com
Opening Days & Hours: Until December
• Yeats Exhibition: 11-3 Tuesday to Saturday.
• Hyde Bridge Gallery: 11-4 Tuesday to Saturday.
Price: Admission to Yeats Exhibition €3. Entry to the gallery is free.
Name: Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
Location: Carrowmore, near Sligo Town
Description: An area alive with prehistoric significance, Carrowmore is the largest cemetery of megalithic tombs in Ireland!
Self-guided tours available of more than 30 stone tombs, many of which are still visible. Most are passage tombs and boulder circles. There are various forts and standing stones in the area too. The origins of these monuments reach far into prehistory – the most ancient among them is close to 6,000 years old.
A restored cottage houses an exciting new exhibition that will satisfy the curiosity of even the most demanding visitors. Come prepared for a hike across rugged terrain.
Contact Name:
Phone: 071 916 1534
Email: carrowmoretomb@opw.ie
Website: www.heritageireland.ie
Opening Days & Hours:
Daily 10:00- 18:00
Last admission 17:00
Carrowmore will close on 17 November for the 2021 season
Price: Free Admission, Self-Guided Tours Only
Name: VOYA Seaweed Baths
Location: Strandhill
Description: VOYA Seaweed Baths mission, based on their knowledge and respect for the local tradition of seaweed baths, and with emphasis on ensuring environmental sustainability, is to share with customers the full therapeutic power of nature in its purest form through their offering of seaweed baths and therapy.
At the bathhouse, the seaweeds are hand harvested on the Atlantic Coast. Imagine relaxing in a luxurious steaming organic seaweed bath this autumn or try a massage, exfoliate, or body wrap. VOYA have used generations of acquired wisdom about the sea to bring you an organic beauty range designed to delight and purify your body.
Contact Name: Neil Walton
Phone: +353 71 916 8686
Email: reception@voyaseaweedbaths.com
Website: www.voyaseaweedbaths.com
Opening Days & Hours:
Off Peak (September-June)
• Monday – Thursday 10am – 6pm
• Friday – Sunday 10am – 6pm
*Hours are subject to change
Price: Seaweed Bath starting at €30, see www.voyaseaweedbaths.com for full list of treatments available this autumn.
Name: Island View Riding Stables
Location: Mount Temple, halfway between Grange and Cliffoney
Description: Trek across stunning Streedagh beach on horseback or take the unique opportunity to explore the private island with Island View Riding Stables!
The farm is run by 3 generations of the O’Connor family, the stables are situated in the scenic North West of Ireland overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Donegal Bay on The Wild Atlantic Way.
There are over 35 horses and ponies that enjoy a life close to nature in the vast fields between Benbulben Mountain and the sea. The nearest beach is only a few minutes’ ride from the stables. You can enjoy a fresh canter, a leisurely stroll, or a splash in the sea for the brave this time of year.
Pre-Booking Essential
Contact Name: Ursula Schweiger O Connor
Phone: 071 9166156
Email: islandviewridingstables@gmail.com
Website: www.islandviewridingstables.com
Opening Days & Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday 9a.m. – 6p.m.
Price: Treks from €25 Adults, €20 Child
For more on Treks, Lessons and Equestrian Escapes including Short Breaks and Self Catering Options available to book online this autumn see www.islandviewridingstables.com/price-list
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Name: Sligo Oyster Experience Farm Tour
Location: Strandhill
Description: GoAdventure 2021 – Top 10 Experiences in Ireland for Food Lovers! Immersive guided tour to Coney Island working oyster farm on the shores of Sligo Bay.
Enjoy a unique seafood experience, the Sligo Oyster Farm Tour guided by Aisling owner of Sligo Oyster Experience. Learn all about Sligo’s ancient seafood and get exclusive access to a long established working oyster farm producing delicious oysters. Learn about the care, craft and expertise that goes into growing Sligo Bay Oysters from a tiny seed all the way to your plate. Take in the views of the iconic mountains of Benbulben and Knocknarea, the grand expanse of Sligo Bay and learn how land and sea together influence the taste of our oysters. Complete the experience by enjoying oysters by the shore with a local craft beer, bubbles and refreshments.
The 1.5-hour tour must be pre-booked
Includes an unlimited tasting of the freshest Sligo oysters, straight from the ocean to the courtyard. Groups of 4 or more can book private tours by calling 071 9141883.
Contact Name: Aisling Kelly
Phone: 071-9141883
Email: hello@sligooysterexperience.ie
Website: www.sligooysterexperience.ie
Opening Days & Hours: Every Friday 11a.m. Pre-Booking Essential
Price: Adults: €45 per person, Children (Ages 6- 17): €10, Children (Ages 5 and under) free.
Name: Sligo Walking Tours
Location: Sligo Town
Description: Sligo Walking Tours offer social history and literary-themed walking tours. Explore Sligo’s dark history on the Dark Tales walking tour revealing the town’s turbulent past with stories of the undead, executions, jail-breaks, disease and other grim tales. The tour is 90 – 120 minutes on average.
Sligo Walking Tours is run by Mel Ni Mhaolanfaidh, a Historian and Tour Guide who researches and creates unique walking tours in Sligo in the North-West of Ireland along the Wild Atlantic Way.
On the tour you will discover Sligo’s connection to Bram Stoker, the Irish author, best known for his 1897 Gothic novel Dracula. Learn about the tragic history of Sligo Abbey that inspired W.B. Yeats. Hear about grim tales of crime and punishment in the nineteenth century.
Next public tour will be Halloween October 2021
Pre-book tickets through the website as places are limited.
Private and group tours can also be arranged for other days/times with at least 48 hours’ notice. Contact Name: Mel Ni Mhaolanfaidh
Phone: 085 173 5103
Email: info@sligowalkingtours.com
Website: www.sligowalkingtours.com
Opening Days & Hours: Pre-booked public tours will go ahead with a booking of 4 or more.
Price: Adult: €12 + Booking fee, Senior/ Student: €9, Child: €7, Private/Group Rate: 1-8 persons: €120.
Name: The Model, Home of the Niland Collection
Location: The Mall, Sligo Town
Description: The Model is a world-class visitor centre that boasts a restaurant and coffee shop, a bookshop, a wonderful gallery circuit, a purpose-built performance space, and a suite of impressive artist studios on the top floor, with enviable views of Sligo Town and County.
This award-winning building is home to one of the most notable public art collections in Ireland, which features one of the largest public holdings of work by Jack Butler Yeats in existence. The Niland Collection also features a broad range of both traditional and contemporary works by artists including Norah McGuinness, Dorothy Cross, Alice Maher, Clodagh Emoe, Eamon O’Kane, Sean McSweeney, Estella Solomons, and Paul Henry amongst many others.
What’s On – ‘Signals & Circuits’ a programme by aemi, experimental film curators, of contemporary moving image works by Irish and international artists. Runs until Sunday Oct 10th 2021
Exhibitions include:
Sligo born painter Alison Pilkington, I Build My Own Island until Sunday Oct 10th Jack Butler Yeats; Salt Water Ballads until Sunday May 29th 2022
One for the kids – Museum of Pirate Puppets open until the end of the year. Children are invited to make and exhibit their own pirate.
Contact Name:
Phone: 071 91 41405
Email: info@themodel.ie
Website: www.themodel.ie
Opening Days & Hours:
Tue – Sat. 11am – 5pm
Cafe opening times Tue-Sat, 11-4, lunch served 12-3.30.
Price: Free Admission. No Booking Required
Name: Drumcliffe
Location: Drumcliffe
Description: Drumcliffe Church and Churchyard the final resting place of the internationally famous poet W.B. Yeats.
Pilgrims and Visitors have been visiting Drumcliffe for over 1500 years. Drumcliffe Church and Churchyard has an array of points of interest to discover. From the remains of the ancient monastery to the burial place of W.B. Yeats, the current Church of Ireland Church and its fascinating history. Why not book an audio guide tour of this amazing place!
New for 2021: Drumcliffe Church Tourism Development have created an Audio Tour of Drumcliffe – ‘Discover Drumcliffe’ Mobile App. You can also download the mobile app audio tour for free on your smartphone and discover Drumcliffe for yourself!
No visit is complete without a trip to the Tea House for a refreshments and a browse at the wide selection of craft and books.
*The Church is currently closed but the churchyard and burial place of W.B. Yeats is available to visit. Phone: (071) 914 3815
Email: admin@drumcliffechurch.ie
Website: www.drumcliffechurch.ie
Opening Days & Hours: The Churchyard is open at all times. Church Drumcliffe Tea House Mon – Sat 9a.m. – 5p.m.
Price: Free Admission
Name: Sligo Folk Park
Location: Riverstown, 15 minutes from Sligo Town
Description: A trip down memory lane!
Sligo Folk Park is located in the beautiful village of Riverstown, County Sligo. This community based attraction provides a true experience of rural life and Irish heritage at the turn of the 19th Century. The Folk Park is set in the grounds of the authentically restored Millview House, which was originally built in 1873 by George Reid a farmer, shoemaker and the local church sexton. Stroll around the park and visit the wonderful museum and evocative exhibition hall which houses one of Ireland’s finest collections of rural history and agricultural artefacts.
Catering to all ages and group sizes, Sligo Folk Park has something for everyone. With 12 different exhibits and 6 acres of space, social distancing is easy.
Please call ahead on 071 916 5001, to book in a time to tour the site, to ensure a safe and enjoyable day at Sligo Folk Park. Self-Guided Audio Tour available.
Please note it is recommended to arrive at least 1 hour before closing time to allow time to visit all of the exhibitions at the park and enjoy the café.
Contact Name:
Phone: 071 916 5001
Email: info@sligofolkpark.com
Website: www.sligofolkpark.com
Opening Days & Hours:
Sept: Mon – Sat 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Oct onwards: Mon – Fri 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Café: Mon – Fri 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Price: Adult €8, Children aged 4 to 16 years €4, Family of 4 €20.00, Children under 4 go free.
Name: Kilcullen’s Seaweed Baths
Location: Enniscrone
Description: Traditional Hot Seaweed Baths, Relaxing, Therapeutic, Natural and Pure
In 1912, the year of the “Titanic” the doors of Kilcullen’s Bath House opened for business. For over 100 years and into the fifth generation of ownership by the same family the Bath House has opened its doors for the summer tourist season. The therapeutic power of the Seaweed Bath is attributed to the high concentration of Iodine that occurs naturally in Sea Water and in Seaweed.
Invigorate yourself this autumn at the Bath House the “full treatment” comprises a “Steam & Seaweed Bath”. In concept the steam bath is very similar to modern Sauna Baths but that is where the familiarity ends… You are enclosed in your individual wooden cabinet with only your head exposed to the light of day. You can breathe fresh cool air as your body is gently seamed with pure moist vapour. The treatment is completed by taking a warm Seaweed Bath followed by an invigorating cold sea water shower.
Also available, relaxing therapeutic massage, the perfect complement to a Seaweed Bath. Contact Name: Edward Kilcullen
Phone: (096) 36238
Email: seaweedbaths@gmail.com
Website: www.kilcullenseaweedbaths.net
Opening Days & Hours: Off Peak: Mon– Fri: 12.00pm – 8.00pm, Sat – Sun: 10:00 – 8:00pm 7th November – 1st April Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Price: Hot Seaweed & Steam Bath from €25 for one adult
Name: Waterpoint Aqua Park
Location: Enniscrone
Description: Fun for all ages!
Waterpoint Aqua Park is based in the beautiful seaside village of Enniscrone. Its facilities include; an indoor heated pool, a 65-metre flume waterslide, a separate children’s pool, children’s party room and climbing wall.
A health suite comprising of a jacuzzi, sauna and steam room as well as a fully equipped gym. Outdoors there are 3 Astroturf Pitches and Inflatable Obstacle Course. Fun for all ages.
* Please note Slides, Inflatables, jacuzzi & steam room are not currently operational due to restrictions*
Contact Name:
Phone: 096 36999
Email: waterpointenniscrone@gmail.com
Website: www.waterpoint.ie
Opening Days & Hours:
Mon – Fri 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (last swim 6p.m.)
Weekend 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (last swim 5p.m.)
Price: Adult Gym & Swim €9, Child (U15) €7, Infant (U3) €3, OAP/Student €8, Funzone/Climbing Wall €10
Name: Taste of Sligo
Location: Tobergal Lane, Sligo Town
Description: Get together to share food, drink, experiences, and stories.
Taste of Sligo food tour is a 2.5-hour long foodie tour of Sligo’s finest venues. Host Anthony Gray takes you into the heart of Sligo town to experience exquisite culinary delights from Sligo’s award-winning chefs. You will visit 5-7 of the best of Sligo’s venues, taste and sample local food delights and beverages with a focus on the freshest local produce. There is no better way to explore Sligo than through its hospitality industry with Anthony Gray as a host.. Sligo is a foodie heaven!
Booking is essential.
Group bookings please email or call and request dates Wed-Saturday 12pm or 2.30pm contact hookedsligo@gmail.com or call 071 9138591
For bookings of 7 or less online booking is available at https://tasteofsligo.ie/book-now/
Contact Name: Anthony Gray
Phone: 071 9138591
Email: hookedsligo@gmail.com
Website: www.tasteofsligo.ie
Opening Days & Hours:
Wed – Sat
12:00pm – 2:30pm
3:00pm – 5:30pm
Price: €55 per person, parties of 8 or more (maximum of 50)