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Things to do in Sligo

Fishing in Sligo

County Sligo possesses a variety of game, sea and coarse fishing ranging from Lough Gill, just outside Sligo town, to remote lakes in the Ox Mountains and sea angling which is available right along the coast Lough Gill gets a good run of spring salmon and fishes best in February and March following which the inflowing River Bonet can provide good fishing in suitable conditions. Lough Gill also holds brown trout and the best trout fishing is during the Mayfly season when some good fish are taken. Lough Arrow, on the Sligo-Roscommon border; has traditionally been rated among the top brown trout lakes in the country.The best fishing is during the Mayfly period i.e. mid-May to mid-June, but the lake is fished right through from April 1st to the end of the season on 30th September.Other brown trout lakes include Loughs Bo, Doon and highlyscenic Lough Talt in the Ox Mountains.

On beautiful Glencar Lough, and the out flowing Drumcliff River; the salmon fishing season commences on 1st February but fishing is most productive from April onwards while the best months for sea trout are July, August and September.The Easkey River; in the west of the country, gets a good run of both salmon and sea trout with the main fishing period from June to September.The Ballisodare River is the most prolific salmon river in the area. While fishing was traditionally concentrated mainly to downstream of the falls,many salmon are now caught on the upstream stretches. Booking is essential on this fishery.Contact the Fishery Office at (071) 9130513.

The main centre for coarse fishing is Ballymote from where anglers can make their own w'J'f to the Owenmore River and several lakes which hold stocks of pike, perch, bream and rudd.Other coarse fisheries in the area include Belhavel, Glenade and Corrigeencor Loughs while Lough Gill also holds stocks of pike, perch and bream. Sea angling is available from both shore and boat with several good shore angling stations along the coast from Mullaghmore to Killala Bay. Boat angling is available at a number of locations, the principal centres being Mullaghmore, Rosses Point and Inniscrone. Most salmon and sea trout fisheries are privately owned and permission of the fishery owner is required in addition to a State Licence. Further information can be obtained from local tackle shops or from the NorthWestern Regional Fisheries Board,Ardnaree House, Abbey 5t, Ballina - tel: (096) 227BB; fax (096) 70543; email: info@nwrfb.com web: www.northwestfisheries.ie

Mountain Walks

Sligo's contrasting scenery and many curiosities make it perfect territory for walking. Knocknarea Mountain (1,083ft), six miles from Sligo town, offers a relatively easy walk of some 45 - 60 minutes. A notice in the car park explains the route and tells walkers about Knocknarea's mound of stones reputedly the tomb of Connaught's legendary Queen Maeve.

Benbulben (1,730ft), with its striking table top profile, is one of Ireland's most famous mountains. It features prominently in Irish legend and was more recently associated with the poet and playwright WB.Yeats, who is buried in its shadow at Druncliffe. Its steep cliffs present a formidable aspect from the nearby lowlands.

Cycling

Part of the historic Tour de Humbert cycling route runs through the lovely Sligo countryside.You can cycle part of the 140 mile / 225km route on your own or join an organised tour. Indeed cycling on any of the smaller roads is a delightful way to explore the county at a leisurely pace and to discover treasures that would be missed from a car. Bike hire is available. Tour de Humbert. Mayo Naturally Tel: 094 9025006.

Walking

Walkers who find themselves in Sligo will be pleasantly surprised at the quantity and range of walks available to them. The two way marked trails are the Sligo Way (46 miles /  l73km) which starts in the Ox Mountain Range where it links with the Western Way. It runs through Sligo as far as Dromahair in Co. Leitrim. 24 different walks have been developed by local communities to accompany the Sligo Way route. The second is the Arigna Miner's Way, a circular route from Arigna in Co. Roscommon which passes through Sligo. Other walks can be found in the Bricklieve, Ox and Curlew Mountains, Knocknarea Mountain, the Sligo Spur Walks in South Sligo and of course climbing BenBulben. Sligo city also has a walking trail and there are further walks at Dooney Rock, Slish Wood and Hazelwood, Union Wood by Markee Castle,Culleenduff and Lady's Brae.