Come to Sligo and set your spirit free.
Experience the holiday (vacation) of a lifetime in our stunning holiday farmhouse perfectly located in Ireland's magical northwest. Have a great farm and/or marine based activity holiday or just relax and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding you.
Our holiday home has a unique 40 foot lounge/reception area with superior views of Sligo Bay, Raghly Harbour, and Queen Maeve's cairn. Large, new spacious fitted kitchen. Two bathrooms and four double bedrooms- three rooms with bay windows facing the sea.
Free Wireless Internet access and TV/DVD player.
Central heating throughout the house. The cost of heating is NOT included in the price of accommodation (an oil meter is read on arrival and again on departure). An Art and Games Room is adjacent to house with pool and air hockey tables, art supplies, and board games. Large front and side garden and lawns. Outdoor furniture and barbeque. Locked storage shed available for bicycles, surfboards, fishing rods, golf clubs, etc. Private access to lands where Barnacle Geese and migrating birds are plentiful from October to April.
Guests can participate in farming activities which may include: feeding and petting calves and lambs; turning hay; bringing in hay; driving tractor; and watching the cattle in front of the house. in addition, an organic garden nearby offers seasonal vegetables from June to October. Sometimes (weather and tide dependent), guests can be brought on a short boat trip, for fishing mackerel or just enjoy watching the birds and scenery, while at sea. If guests would like fresh lobster, just let us know and we will make arrangements for them to be brought to your door (cooking demo included if desired).Climbing the nearby fairy fort with us is breathtaking and later visiting the 'pigeon holes' in Raghly where the sea comes in under the land. Our friendliness and hospitality will make this your home away from home.
Our beautifully renovated 4 bedroom vacation holiday farmhouse is on an elevated site facing Sligo Bay. This enchanting area near Lissadell (5km) is steeped in history and mythology and well described by W.B.Yeats for its beauty and creativity. The dramatic limestone mountains of Benbulben and Knocknarea will fascinate you. Spectacular views and sounds from the Atlantic Ocean are captivating. You may even want to take out your surf/body boards and beach towels. Experience the vacation of a lifetime where we can help you and your family/friends plan your holiday or just relax and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding you. Enjoy the spirit of Sligo.
Things to Do from Your Tranquil Home-away-from-Home in Ireland's Magical Northwest:
Bird Watching
This area is a paradise for birds and waterfowl. Some of our land has been recently designated as special area of conservation. Barnacle Geese visit us every year from mid-October to late April. A walkway (for able and disabled) provides direct access to view the geese. Close by (10 minutes) is the Ballygilgan Nature Reserve (Lissadell) (http://ballygilgannaturereserve.com). And Bird Watch Ireland / Sligo site (http://birdwatchireland.ie or http://sligobirding.com) provide up to date recent sighting of various birds and waterfowl in the Sligo area.
Arts and Culture
This area is notorious for its artists from writers, poets, painters, and fairy makers, and many have set up home here. The Model (Niland Gallery), Hamilton Gallery, Yeat’s Society, Hawkswell, Blue Raincoat Theatre, the Factory, and more are within 20 minutes drive.
Surfing
Go to Lislarry (about 6km) for some of the best waves in the northwest. Or go further to afield to Bundoran (http://www.turfnsurf.ie orhttp://bundoransurfschool.com) or Strandhill (http://www.strandhillsurfschool.com) and experience the thrills of surfing on the big Atlantic waves (both 30 minutes away). Or the Adventure Sligo site (http://www.adventuresligo.com) can provide additional links.
Sailing / Boating / Canoeing/Kayaking
If you have your own boat (sail boat, rib, canoe, etc) bring it along and we will help you launch it from the recently renovated Raghley pier. You can explore and relax in tranquility of Drumcliffe Bay. The boat can be stored in our sheds. Other popular activities include kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding. (http://www.adventuresligo.com/water/kayaking).
Within 20 minutes there are 2 sailing clubs (http://mullaghmoresailingclub or http://sligoyaughtclub.ie) offering beginners and experienced sailing courses for juniors and adults.
Horseriding
If you own your own horse(s), you can have a unique holiday by bringing him/her/them with you. Access to the local beaches (Ardtarmon Strand or The Golden Strand or Tra Bui) can be provided through the owner’s land. Then the horse(s) can graze under your watchful eye. All options considered. Contact us for more information.
Alternatively, Island View offers horseriding for all the family year round (http://islandviewridingstables.com). This family run business is located about 15 minutes away and offers beach rides, trekking, lessons, and carriage riding. Use these links for additional riding stables: http://www.irelandonhorseback.com or http://www.markreestables.com) in the Sligo area.
Golfing
Ireland is renowned for its golf courses and Rosses’ Point is no exception. The County Sligo Golf Club at Rosses’ Point (http://countysligogolfclub.ie) is ranked in the top 10 links courses in Ireland. The club boasts renowned visitors and champions, Rory McElroy and Tom Watson. Or you can go to Berties Pitch and Putt (http://www.bertiespnp.co.nr) or the Tyeconnell Pitch and Putt course in Bundoran.
Fishing
There are plenty of excellent fishing points on the Raghley peninsula, where you can catch mackerel, pollock, bollin or if you are lucky sea trout. Raghley Harbour is located ¼ mile away. Spoil yourself with some fresh lobster and crab caught by local fishermen (available on request). Or try your hand at getting some razor fish or rock fishing. Crab fishing off the pier provides fun for everyone. In Rosses’ Point (http://www.sligoboatcharters.com) (Darryl Ewing can pick you up at Raghley Pier, depends on tide) or Mullahmore (http://www.offshore.ie or http://www.inishmurrayislandtrips.com) charter boats are available for the serious fishermen. We can help with any bookings.
Walking/Hill Walking
Exploring North Sligo on foot can be a beautiful way to see the county. Various magical walks include: Lissadell House and Woods; Glencar Lake and Waterfall; Streedagh Point and Beach; Knocknarea and Queen Maeve's Cairn, Glennif Horseshoe at the foot of Ben Bulben to name a few. Go to http://www.sligotourism.ie and/or http://www.irishtrails.ie/Trail/Benbulben-loop or http://www.coillteoutdoors.ie for more information on mountain walks, nature trails, coastal walks and more.
Local Attractions: The following sites provide useful information about places to see and visit in Sligo:
1. http://sligotourism.ie
2. http://www.irishtourist.com/directory/places_to_visit/west/sligo/
3. http://www.lookwest.ie/events
4. http://mykidstime.ie
5. http://www.sligoheritage.com/links.htm
6. http://www.discoversligo.com/?pagid=arts
7. http://www.discoversligo.com/?pagid=heritage
Shopping and Restaurants:
Sligo offers shopping with a difference. There is a good mix of the extraordinary shops with hand-crafted pieces, the shops passed down through the generations and the more typical shops. Wooden sculpture by Michael Quirke and hand-crafted jewelry at The Cat and the Moon offer some unusual items while Mullaney’s and Moffits have been in the center of town for generations. The shopping centers provide a good mix on newer shops. Café’s, restaurants, and bistros are plentiful in Sligo town. Closer to 'home' there are several tasty meals at Lang's Bar and Restaurant, Yeat’s Tavern (or Davis’); and Henry’s Restaurant (within 10-15 minutes of our house).