ASI SUP Away Holiday to Sligo, Ireland

Why not experience a SUP holiday in Sligo, Western Ireland? From here you can paddle through the stunning Garavogue river, freshwater lakes and along the spectacular coastline that the Wild Atlantic Way offers. Sligo is famous for its charming idyllic town, it’s spectacular countryside and its famous poet WB Yeats.

Sligo is located on the North West Coast of Ireland and is one of Ireland's largest towns. Located between the Garavogue River and Sligo Bay. It sits on the Wild Atlantic Way which is 2,500 km of coastal road running along the west coast of Ireland.

Sligo is fairly easy to get to. There are regular flights from the UK and Europe into Knock airport and Sligo is a one-hour drive from here by car or taxi.  It’s a 2 ½ hour drive from Dublin.

SUP ACTIVITIES

ASI Accredited SUP School, Sligo Bay SUP is a mobile SUP school that offers SUP lessons, activities and SUP tours to the many beautiful SUP locations to all ages and groups, all across the west coast.

SUP PADDLE EXPERIENCE

At Sligo Bay SUP at Streedagh in Sligo, they are centrally located and the nearby Doorly Park and the Garavogue river is only 15 minutes’ walk.   The parks calm waters are perfect for learning or practising SUP skills and there is spectacular paddling down the river.

Sligo SUP offers tours lasting from 1.5 hrs to 2 hours at a location of your choice. Each location has something special to offer from the views of Benbulben to the waterfall at Glencar. They also provide maps to all locations on their website.

The school offers a unique Spring SUP Series which runs each springtime around March-May. This 6-week course which includes six supping sessions in different locations throughout County Sligo. This fantastic experience which allows you explore many of Sligo's hidden gems.

THE BEST SUP LOCATIONS TO VISIT IN WESTERN IRELAND

Sligo Bay SUP offers a wide range of locations and tours in which to paddle. Ranging from a few hours to much, much longer. Some of these are:

Doorly Park: Just 15-minutes’ walk from Sligo Town and the SUP Centre. Once a wetland, now a semi-wild landscapes park. Paddle your way along the beautiful banks of the Garavogue River which flows out from Lough Gill and it winds through Sligo town and into Sligo bay, offering stunning views.

Lough Gill: This freshwater lough sits in Sligo but partly in County Leitrim, paddle around Lough Gill passing by the surrounding woodlands of Hazelwood and stop off to visit its many islands.

Bonnet River: Paddle the calm winding waters of the river, admire the beautiful forestry and wildlife on both sides as you paddle downstream. The river will take you out on the Lough Gill where you will see views of the 17th century Parkes Castle in a picturesque setting.

Glencar Lake: Surrounded by forests and mountains, there are breathtaking views to take in while paddling. Paddle by the Devil’s Chimney and Glencar’s famous waterfall.

Lissadell:  Located 8km north of Sligo town, Paddle by stunning coastal views Benbulben mountain and the famous Lissadell house.

Streedagh Beach: Ireland’s best-kept secret, this beach is where three ships from the Spanish Armada were grounded in 1588. Streedagh offers amazing views of Benbulben Mountain Slive League and Innishmurray Island, with plenty of marine life to see.

Mullaghmore: Have a paddle adventure and explore Mullaghmore’s sandy beach which stretches as far as the eye can see. This unique fishing village is characterized by Atlantic Ocean views on one side and the Dartry mountains on the other.

Rossespoint: This popular seaside resort in Sligo has three sandy beaches. Here you will see beach views with the pier, lighthouse, Knocknarea Mountain to the south and Benbulben Mountain to the north all while you paddle in tranquil blue sea.

Raghley Harbour: This fishing harbour is home to local boats and a wide variety of bid and sea life. It offers great views of Rossespoint, Sligo Bay, the Benbulben and Knocknarea mountains.

SUP FAMILY ACTIVITIES
SUP is for the family. For children aged 7-8 years old they can have a SUP lesson and join a SUP tour, plus they have a monster SUP which is a great hit with kids.

WHAT’S INCLUDED
All SUP instruction and safety briefings along with SUP board, paddle, leash, lifejacket and wetsuit and 1.5 to 2 hours out on the water.

GETTING THERE
Sligo doesn’t have an airport but the nearest is Knock, which is an hour by car. There are regular flights into to other Irish airports such a Dublin, Shannon and Belfast. There are daily trains running from Dublin to Sligo and buses from all the Irish counties. You can also sail to Dublin, Belfast and Larne from UK and France.

WHERE TO STAY
Sligo has many hotels, guest houses and B & B's. The Riverside Hotel is a popular modern 3-star hotel in the heart of Sligo town. Perched on the edge of the picturesque Garavogue River, it is perfectly located. Costs around £90 per room for 2 people.  
Hotel website:  https://www.riversidesligo.ie/

WHERE TO EAT
From Sushi, Tapas to traditional Irish Fayre there is something for all tastes in Sligo. Sligo has some amazing eateries. Try Miso for its fresh sushi, caught locally by fishermen in Ballina and Killybegs. Or try the Lissadell chowder at Haragadons a traditional pub in Sligo. Davies Restaurant looks out on Benbulben mountain and is situated across the road from the famous WB Yeats’ grave.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT
From Spring to September, the weather is warm and the conditions better for SUP. July and August are the most popular times to visit. It can be wet and cold during winter time.

LOCAL TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Sligo is famous for its beautiful landscape from the looming mountains of Benbulben and Knocnarea to the waterfall at Glencar the scenery is stunning.

Poet Yeats’ Grave The nearby village of Drumcliffe is home to a ruined 6th Century Columbian monastery and is the final resting place of WB Yeats. Set against the backdrop of the striking Benbulben Mountains this is must visit for any literary fans. 

Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery Steeped in ancient history, just under 5kms from Sligo is this Bronze Age graveyard. Archaeologists have discovered 60 graves comprising the largest collection of megaliths in Ireland. The oldest dating from between 3000 and 2500 BC. The whole scene is overlooked by Queen Maeve's tomb on Knocknarea. Guided tours or self-guiding options are both available at the Visitors Centre.

Glencar Waterfall This 15-meter waterfall lies 11 km north of Sligo town, beside the Glencar Lake. Initially, the waterfall was named ‘srut i n-agaid an aeir’, translated as ‘the stream against the air’. it was mentioned in Yeats’ poem “Stolen Child”.

Surfing in Sligo: Sligo also offers beautiful seaside villages; Standhill, Rosses Point and Mullaghmore. As well as SUP if you like surfing, Sligo is on the map for its famous surfing locations.

More about Sligo and local tourist attractions can be found on the tourist information site at http://www.sligotourism.ie/

Book SUP lessons and stunning SUP tours direct with Sligo Bay SUP at https://www.sligobaysup.ie/
 

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