TRAVEL: Exploring Sligo’s Wild Atlantic Way

THERE has never been a better time to fully appreciate Sligo, a county sometimes overlooked in favour of more obvious West of Ireland destinations like Galway City or Westport in neighbouring Mayo.

No longer just considered a gateway to the North West, Sligo’s reputation has been steadily on the rise over the past decade. And its inclusion on the Wild Atlantic Way – the longest defined coastal drive in the world – has helped secure its place as an understated jewel in the crown of Ireland’s western seaboard.

We visited Sligo at the invitation of the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, which is conveniently located just five minutes’ drive from the city centre on the road to stunning Rosses Point. Located in Ballincar, this is one of five Radisson Blu hotels dotted along the 2,400km route of the Wild Atlantic Way, which stretches from Donegal in the north to Cork in the south. 

I’ve had the good fortune to stay in a number of Radisson Blu hotels over the years and the one thing that always strikes me is the consistently high standard right across the chain, from the comfort of guestrooms to the quality of food and professional levels of service. I’m happy to report that the Radisson Blu in Sligo not only lived up to my expectations, it comfortably exceeded them. 

With three children in tow, we had booked adjoining rooms to give them (and us) some space. Our business class rooms were exceptionally well appointed, offering nice little touches like comfy pillow bolsters, chocolates, a mini bar with complimentary bottled water and a Nespresso coffee machine. The large wraparound windows in our main suite offered panoramic views across Sligo Bay and a generous outdoor balcony spanned our connecting rooms. Combined with flat screen televisions, luxurious ensuite bathrooms and quality Wi-Fi coverage, the comfort factor made it difficult to leave our rooms.

When we did, though, there was plenty to discover, not least the 18-metre pool where the kids enjoyed a pre-dinner dip while Dad soaked away the stresses of the week in the Jacuzzi. Meanwhile, mother and daughter made a hasty retreat to the Solas Spa and Wellness Centre for a bit of well-deserved pampering. 

If there’s a better way to work up an appetite, I certainly can’t think of it. We opted to dine in the hotel’s award-winning AA Rosette Classiebawn Restaurant, even though the Benwiskin Bar menu option looked equally enticing. As it turned out, we ended up with the best of both worlds as the charming restaurant staff were happy to let us choose from either menu. With a myriad of seafood, meat and vegetarian options, the Classiebawn has something to appeal to all palettes. As the sun set over the bay outside our window, we enjoyed our desserts and finished with an Irish Coffee before retreating to our rooms for a quality night’s sleep.

And you certainly need to be well rested when visiting Sligo given the vast range of activities on offer in the region, including golf, coastal walks, cycling, horse riding, fishing and boat trips. Sligo is renowned as a world-class surfing destination and you can learn how to ride the waves at popular spots such as Strandhill or Easkey. With a packed schedule ahead of us, the sumptuous buffet breakfast in the Classiebawn Restaurant helped ensure that we were fully energised for the Wild Atlantic Way experience. 

Another plus is that the Radisson Blu have tourist board trained Wild Atlantic Way ambassadors at each of the five hotels along the route.

The scenery in Sligo – often referred to as Yeats Country – is nothing short of breathtaking; framed by the sea to the west and the iconic sight of Benbulben Mountain to the north. The city itself still retains the atmosphere of an old Irish town, yet is a hub of activity, peppered with lively pubs, quirky shops and modern bistros.

With so much to see and do, Sligo can get a little bit exhausting. After a busy day exploring this wonderful county, there is no better place to return to than the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ballincar.

For details on the hotel’s latest offers, call 071-9140008, email [email protected] or visit www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-sligo-spa