This is my question.
After spending a day in North Mayo and then driving into County Sligo a day later, I’m puzzled why we Americans don’t come to this part of Ireland.
It’s gorgeous. It’s stunning.
There are soaring mountains, dramatic coastlines, sandy beaches, historical sites, lakes, seaside towns and pleasant small cities.
North Mayo landscape
The County Sligo landscape – gorgeous!
So I feel that we…
As Americans, are not being fair to ourselves or to the Irish folks who inhabit these areas.
First of all, we’re completely missing out on some pretty spectacular places.
Secondly, we are totally dissing the people of the area who are proud of their homes. They would love to see more Americans in these parts. They’re just as perplexed as to why we don’t visit these areas as I am.
I’d love to change this.
As I drove north
From Clifden in County Galway (the Connemara area) I made my way into the southern part of County Mayo. Driving past Westport I ventured into new territory. I had only ever gone as far north as Westport, with the exception of a day trip out to Achill Island which is northwest of Westport.
I traveled farther north into Mayo, going through Ballycroy National Park, a starkly beautiful landscape with mountains, bogs and lakes.
Sheep on the road in North Mayo – I took this through the windshield
Ballycroy National Park, North Mayo
Then I hit the northwest Mayo coast and…
My jaw dropped!
There before me was the turbulent Atlantic Ocean and cliffs with green patches filled with grazing sheep. The wind blew in from the north, cold and fierce.
But that coastline? Wow! It really took my breath away.
My first views of the North Mayo coastline – stunning!
My first views of the North Mayo coastline – breathtaking!
The R314, part of the Wild Atlantic Way, twisted and curved it’s way high above the sea.
It is dramatic.
It is stunning.
And you really should see it.
There are places like Céide Fields, a prehistoric site with fabulous views; and Downpatrick Head, a lone stack of rock in the Atlantic Ocean just off the coast. There are beaches like Lacken Strand and bigger towns such as Ballina.
North Mayo coastline from Céide Fields
Céide Fields prehistoric site, North Mayo
Céide Fields prehistoric site, North Mayo – that’s the visitor center on the right that you see the top of
North Mayo coastline – driving down a rural road
Then there’s County Sligo.
With resort towns like Enniscrone with its wonderful beaches and its golf course and quieter towns like Easky and Mullaghmore along its coast, there’s something for every taste.
Add in megalithic sites like Carrowmore and Carrykeel and Creevykeel and the WB Yeats history and the mountains and the sea…well, you get the idea.
Coastline at Easky, County Sligo
Creevykeel Megalithic site – probably a passage tomb
The lovely beach of Mullaghmore and the mountains of County Sligo – simply stunning!
Now admittedly, it does take a bit more effort to get here. Although I found many of the main roads to be just fine.
To get where I’m staying at Ardtarmon House in County Sligo … that’s another story. It’s definitely off the beaten path as it’s down small rural roads with vague signage. But I find that it’s worth it. You just have to be an explorer.
Because once you get here, you realize how happy you are to be somewhere a little tucked away. To be somewhere that not every other tourist is. You truly feel like you’ve discovered something really special.
The road into Ardtarmon House not far from Drumcliff, County Sligo
The beach near Ardtarmon House, County Sligo
The N15 and Knocknarea, County Sligo
I know I feel that I have uncovered something truly exceptional in these past few days.
I’ve discovered an area of Ireland that I would encourage those of you who are a little adventurous to come see. To come and explore and investigate.
I’ll be back. I’m sure of it.
This part of Ireland is much more real and authentic and not as touched by mass tourism as places like Killarney or the Ring of Kerry or the Cliffs of Moher.
The beach at Mullaghmore with some sunshine and blue skies and the blue-green of the Atlantic Ocean
And, in my opinion, it’s even more beautiful.
So what are you waiting for?
Isn’t it time to put that explorer’s hat on and discover some place a little different?
You won’t be sorry!
Great article! Glad you loved this corner of the country & thanks for promoting 🙂 ps your photo of Benbulben is actually a picture of Knocknarae
Thanks for the correction John! I’ll be sure to change that. And glad you liked the post.
Glad you have discovered this jewel in north mayo and sligo as a mayo native i have been telling people about this for many years but American tour advisors seem to think the sun moon etc shines out of Killarney et al their loss methinks .
Well this American travel planner is going to be promoting some other parts of Ireland — namely Mayo, Sligo and Donegal. And I always tell my clients to avoid Killarney (although the park is beautiful … just too crowded). Thanks for the comment, Gerard!
Thank you for highlighting this amazing part of the world, (you could even explore co Keitrim next yime you are over:) Sligo has so much to offer, in terms of lovely restaurants, fantastic artisan markets such as the Saturday market at Rathcormac Craft Village, literally 5 munutes from Sligo town on the main N15 Donegal road, and stunning mountains, lakes and beaches.
As a Sligo man I feel sorry for alot of the Tourist coming to Ireland as they only get to see commercial Ireland .Kerrys Galway’s Dublin but like most politicians the tour companies forget Ireland exsist north of the Galway Dublin line . Transport infrastructure is poor only buses get you to your destinations if you can’t drive .Trains are to Dublin only . So tour operators don’t promote real Ireland beyond Galway. But for those tourist who brave the wilderness of Northwest Ireland ye reach paradise. I’m going be selfish here and say thank god the tour operators don’t venture this far as I hate to see us get over commercialised for bus loads of tourists I love kayaking the lakes and cycling the roads and climbing the mountains of this wonderful county and hope that we keep it to ourselves as only we know what these people miss out on but to the ones who do brave it ye are most welcome and remember it’s our secret and ye will realise why we want to keep it our little secret ! #heartsdesire #sligo .
Thanks for your input, Steven. I agree with you in that, now having spent a good 11 days up this way (I’ve been in Donegal for 8), I’d hate to see too much mass tourism here. On the other hand, as a travel planner, I’d love for some of my adventurous clients to see this part of Ireland. And to see there’s more to Ireland than the Ring of Kerry or Killarney or Galway City or the Cliffs of Moher. So I’d like to see those more curious and adventurous folks rent a car, and come see this part of Ireland. Just a few of them!
I totally agree Steven. I have just returned to Dubai from a kyaking holiday in Donegal. What an absolutely fabulous and magical part of the work.
Thanks for comment Nigel. It is truly a gorgeous part of Ireland!!
Oh I could not agree with you more! We stayed in Tubbercurry for 4 nights as our Sligo base, Westport 2 nights, Galway 3 nights then our last night in Dublin.
What a great time we had! We got lost Akins what I thought was the wild Atlantic way!! Talk about rural roads ☺️
The rural roads are the best though for really seeing Ireland. And you have to allow time to get a little lost … because you’ll find your way somehow and probably see something a little extra special when you are lost and trying to find your way. Thanks for the comment, Robin!
The joy of living here is that the tourists who get here really want to be here. Sligo is full of artists, artisans, poets, musicians and crafters. At the local markets, Rathcormac Artisan Food and Craft Market, ( Saturdays 10-3) and Strandhill Peoples Market, Sundays 11-4) you can taste craft beers, organic cheeses, buy beautiful hand knits, jewellery and original art, and meet the genuine people who live in this wonderful county:)
Thanks for the great comments and information. And I agree with what you say about travelers who get to Sligo really want to be there…they want to explore what it has to offer. I know for me — only being there 2 nights (since I wanted to focus on Donegal this trip) — just whetted my appetite for more of Sligo. So something tells me I’ll go back to Sligo on my next journey to Ireland. And now I have some great information for my next trip and for my clients’ future trips thanks to you, Meg!