Best natural attractions in Sligo

In the northwest of Ireland, at the very edge of Europe, you'll find the Donegal Gaeltacht. A sprawling, wild and rural area, rich in history and traditions of old Ireland, where the Irish language (Gaeilge) is still spoken today. I'll show you the remote regions of the Wild Atlantic Way, exploring the places where I grew up. I'll regale you with personal stories, tall tales and Irish legends of the area. You'll visit the lavish Glenveagh Castle and gardens to learn about the deeds (good & bad) of its former owners. A journey to the mythical Poisoned Glen will leave you spellbound by its haunting beauty. Then, reflect inside the ruins of Donegal's very own 'Taj Mahal', Dunlewey Church. As you travel through the hills of Donegal, you'll see vast highlands and Atlantic bog, where our ancestors saved the turf (peat) each summer. You'll hear the story of the Bloody Foreland as you gaze out to sea to the many Gaeltacht Islands, before returning via the 'Bridge of tears'.

Escape the bustle of urban life and cycle this 42km greenway from colourful Westport town along the coastline of the Wild Atlantic Way route. The world class Great Western Greenway is a traffic free cycling and walking trail, which follows the route of the renowned Westport to Achill railway which closed in 1937 and is the longest off-road walking and cycling trail in Ireland. This cycling route offers lots of opportunities to take in the spectacular visas and stop at cute local villages, pubs and famous landmarks along the Wild Atlantic Way. It passes by some of the West of Ireland’s most dramatic mountains and offers magnificent views of Clew Bay and its many islands. Ireland's holy pilgrim mountain, Croagh Patrick, with its iconic conical shape rising to the south of Clew Bay, bears testament to the many pilgrims who walked up this mountain in their bare feet to visit the tiny church at the top of the mountain.