The next few days in this green Irish wonderland encouraged me to go a little further — to the neighboring county, or as the Irish say, the county itself. My destination? Sligo – the main town of the county with the same name, lying on Ireland’s north-west coast, surrounded by mountains, lakes, and the Atlantic Ocean.
How to get there?
I did have my bike, but cycling the whole way to Sligo would’ve been quite the workout.
I was torn between two options:
- the slower but more precise one (Bus 23 – the Dublin Airport–Sligo route), or
- the faster and comfier one – the train.
Guess which one won? Yep, speed and comfort! 🚆
So I hopped on my bike and pedaled about 9 kilometers to Dromod, the nearest train station. From there, the Dublin–Sligo line operated by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) took me north. The trip takes about an hour, and I even brought my bike on board (roughly €8 one-way). I settled in, relaxed, and watched the Irish countryside fly by.
When I finally arrived in Sligo Town, I did a quick orientation loop — figured out where everything was and checked out a few shops I’d never seen anywhere near my place.
First Steps in Sligo Town
Like any proper tourist, my first mission in Sligo was simple — wander around aimlessly and soak up the vibe. The streets were calm yet full of life: small cafés spilling the smell of fresh coffee, locals strolling with cups in hand, and the gentle sound of the river running right through the center.
Before long, I stumbled upon the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception — Sligo’s main Catholic church. Built in 1874 in neo-Gothic style, it stands proudly with its classic Irish stone façade and tall tower. Unfortunately, during my visit, it was under renovation, so I couldn’t peek inside. From the outside, though, it looks majestic — nothing groundbreaking architecturally, but definitely the kind of landmark that adds charm to the town center.
Sligo’s heart stretches along the River Garavogue, which flows into Sligo Bay. It’s a lovely area to stroll — narrow bridges, stone banks, and here and there a few restaurants and bars overlooking the water. Locals love to sit here, especially when the rare Irish sun decides to make an appearance. It’s the perfect place for a relaxed walk or a lazy lunch by the river.
By that point, lunch was a matter of survival. After a few hours of wandering, I decided to let fate choose my meal — I simply walked into the first place that caught my eye. It was called Walker 1781. The name isn’t random — it refers to the year the original inn was founded on the same spot.
Today it’s a modern gastro pub, blending traditional Irish dishes with a creative twist. Inside, the vibe was warm and cozy — wood, bricks, soft lighting, and that unmistakable Irish humor from the staff. The food? Excellent. Generous portions, fresh ingredients, and of course, a pint that somehow tasted better than anywhere else. Since that day, it’s become my go-to spot whenever I’m in town.
After lunch, I went to check out Sligo Abbey, a Dominican monastery from the 13th century that I’d heard a lot about. It’s famous for its Gothic architecture, ancient stone cross, and noble tombs. Unfortunately, it was closed when I arrived — so I had to admire it from behind the fence. Still, it was worth it. The ruins looked incredibly photogenic, framed by distant hills and wrapped in a silence that whispered history.
As I kept exploring the town, I stumbled upon an elegant building that I didn’t even realize was a courthouse at first. The Sligo Courthouse, built in 1878, was designed by architect James Franklin Fuller, who created several major Irish landmarks. Its neoclassical façade, massive stone columns, and perfectly symmetrical entrance make it look more like a small palace than a court of law — pure Victorian grandeur adding a touch of class to the town.
Return to Sligo – The Lisadell Adventure
A few weeks later, I found myself back in Sligo — this time for a different reason. Someone had told me about a castle-like mansion that’s privately owned but open to the public during the summer. Well, how could I possibly skip that? So off I went — destination: Lisadell House.
I took my bike again. The ride from town took a little over an hour, but it was absolutely worth it — narrow country roads, endless green meadows, sheep everywhere, and views of Benbulben Mountain, towering over the county like a silent northern guardian. I split the trip into two days and even spent the night somewhere nearby — a proper little Irish-style adventure.
When I finally reached Lisadell, I bought a ticket and joined the tour of the house and gardens. To be honest, the gardens didn’t blow me away, but the mansion itself — surrounded by forest and overlooking the ocean — had something truly special. Lisadell House is a grand Georgian residence built in the early 19th century, once home to the Gore-Booth family, a well-known name in Irish history.
Its most famous resident was Constance Markievicz — revolutionary, fighter for Irish independence, the first woman ever elected to the British Parliament, and later a minister in the Irish government. Back in the day, the house was a gathering place for poets, artists, and political reformers, including the legendary William Butler Yeats, a family friend who even wrote several poems about Lisadell.
Today, the estate is once again privately owned by the Walsh family, who restored it and opened it to visitors during the summer months. Besides the guided tours of the interior, you’ll also find exhibitions, a small museum, a forest trail, and a café with a view of the bay — perfect for ending a day full of history and fresh air.
What to see nearby?
After seeing everything I could at Lisadell, I opened the map and spotted something that instantly caught my eye — “Blow Holes.” I thought, well, since I’m already here, let’s check that out!
And honestly — it was absolutely worth it. If you ever find yourself in the area, go see it. The coastline is wide open, peaceful, and feels almost otherworldly. There’s even a small parking lot nearby, so access by car is easy. I, of course, showed up on my bike — classic me: sweat, wind, and a view that made it all worthwhile.
These blow holes are one of those places you stumble upon by accident on the map but never forget afterward. They’re natural openings in the rocky coastline where seawater rushes in during high tide. When a wave crashes against the cliffs, the pressure forces the water through these cavities, and it literally erupts like a geyser. Sometimes it shoots several meters high — so if you stand too close, expect a free Atlantic shower!
They were formed thousands or even millions of years ago by erosion — wind and waves slowly carving into the limestone until these narrow chasms appeared. The area is part of the Streedagh Point Trail, a stunning coastal pathwith views of the Atlantic Ocean, Benbulben, and the Donegal hills in the distance. It’s the perfect spot to just sit down, listen to the waves crashing against the rocks, and reflect on how brilliantly nature does its thing.
Then came the hard part — getting back to civilization. From the coastline, it was roughly 24 kilometers back to town, and after a full day on the road (or rather, on my thighs), it turned into quite the workout. I almost missed the restaurant I’d planned to visit earlier, and my phone battery was screaming for mercy.
After more than an hour and a half of pedaling, I finally made it back to the city and stumbled upon a random restaurantthat looked promising. Turned out, it was French — classy atmosphere, people in shirts, white tablecloths, soft background music… and then there was me: sweaty, wearing joggers and a hoodie, parking my bike right by the door.
Naturally, they still gave me a table — the Irish really are the nicest people. I ordered a proper steak, which tasted like the reward I didn’t know I needed after such a long day. I don’t have a photo (my phone was charging at the bar), but that moment is burned in my memory.
There I was — sitting among elegant diners, hair messy, face red, and smiling to myself, thinking:
“This is exactly what traveling is all about.”
Then it was just a matter of getting to my accommodation and getting some well-deserved sleep – after a day like that, you fall asleep before your head hits the pillow. I thought that this would be the end of my Irish adventure, but the opposite was true. A whole new trip awaited me – I decided to explore three countries in eight days, one of which is actually part of another state. Every two days, I flew to a different city, a different culture, a different story. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and sign up for the newsletter so you don’t miss out on where I went this time.
Cross your boundaries – that’s where the treasure you’re seeking is hidden.
Flying Easterner
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