She found it hard to narrow down her list of favourite places in her adopted county of Sligo, but Institute of Technology student Eliza Lee, from Canada, finally settled on three.
When choosing to attend IT Sligo one of the main attractions that intrigued me was the beautiful views Sligo had to offer. I can now confirm, just like everyone told me, that Sligo is a very under-rated county. Just minutes outside Sligo town are beautiful ocean views. This being my second year studying in Ireland, I have many favourite places but I decided to narrow down some of them!
Mullaghmore
Mullaghmore village is located 25 minutes outside of Sligo town. There is a road that loops around the coast that you can either drive or walk along. During the quiet seasons, Mullaghmore makes you feel like you are the only person in Ireland. The views consist of the ocean and Classiebawn Castle with Benbulben mountain in the background. Unfortunately the castle is not open to the public as it used to be the holiday home of Lord Mountbatten (who was assassinated close by in 1979), but it makes for beautiful pictures! Though small, the village itself has a couple of restaurants that serve fresh seafood- YUM! Rain or shine, Mullaghmore is must!
Me at Mullaghmore!
Strandhill
Strandhill is only a 15-minute drive from Sligo town. You can bus there for only €5 roundtrip. This is another spectacular ocean view, and a popular destination for surfing! Strandhill is home to many little shops and pubs located right along the ocean. Here are a few of my favourites:
Picturesque Strandhill – a haven for surfers
- Mammy Johnson’s: Fantastic ice cream and delicious crepes!
- Shells Cafe: Bright atmosphere with incredible healthy/organic food.
- The Strand Bar: The best pizza! They have live traditional music every Wednesday night. With the fire on and a pint in hand it is the perfect Irish atmosphere.
Rosses Point
Just a 10-minute drive outside of Sligo town, Rosses Point is a cute little village right along the ocean. I have two favourite restaurants in Rosses Point. For breakfast or brunch I absolutely adore the Little Cottage Café. It has a quaint atmosphere with fantastic food.
Enjoying the coffee at the Little Cottage Cafe
For lunch or dinner I love going to The Driftwood, which offers a modern, bright atmosphere with an amazing menu! If you aren’t hungry you can always walk along the Rosses Point Beach. Either way Rosses Point makes for the perfect afternoon or evening by the sea!