Strandhill accommodation

The best places to stay in Strandhill are the Ocean Wave Lodge or Strandhill Lodge and Suites. But there are lots of other good options like Cois Farraige apartments or the Strandhill Beachfront Apartments (perfect for couples).

If you are looking for hotel accommodation, Sligo Town (ten minutes’ drive from Strandhill) has some great options: The Southern Hotel, Sligo Park Hotel, Clarion Hotel or the Radisson.

Where to eat and drink

There are some great restaurant options in Strandhill like Jade Garden Chinese restaurant or The Venue steak and seafood restaurant. The Venue also has an old world front bar that should not be missed. But our personal favourite restaurant is Stoked restaurant above the Strand Bar run by Irish champion surfer Shane Meehan. Stoked offers exquisite world food tapas style. The dishes are inspired by chef-proprietor Shane's world surf travels.

If you are interested in a quick coffee or snack on the seafront at Strandhill then visit Shells Cafe and Little Shop, a charming seaside bakery that has made a big name for itself based on its yummy menu. Or if you are interested in ice cream, the only place to go is Mammy Johnston's Ice Cream parlour. This third generation ice cream parlour's story began when Mammy Johnston began selling ice creams in Strandhill over a hundred years ago.

The surfers favourite on the seafront is certainly The Strand Bar , which offers live music seven nights a week in the summer months. The Strand is the original surfers bar whose interior is like a Strandhill museum. The Strand also offer a fine lunch and pizza menu as well as one of the best pints of stout in the west.

Sligo's live music scene is world renowned. Another great spot for live music is The Dunes Bar. The Dunes also has the best burger menu in Sligo so it is well worth a visit.

Wellness

If you are interested in wellness, Strandhill does not disappoint. A visit to the world famous Voya Seaweed bath on the seafront at Strandhill will leave you feeling refreshed and detoxed. Visit this traditional seaweed bath house to experience a pure and simple organic treatment. Experience the soothing and healing effects of a seaweed bath or try some of Voya's other therapies or products. You won't be disappointed.

For those interested in yoga, you can visit Salt and Soul yoga studio near the airport owned by local Strandhill woman Rachel Mulrooney. One of Rachel's accessible yoga classes is the perfect way to restore your tired body after a surf lesson in Strandhill. There are lots of other wellness options in Strandhill to suit your need: physical therapy, acupuncture, amatsu, osteopathy and fitness.

Places of interest

restaurantIn addition to surfing in Strandhill, there is lots of walk, trails and sites of historical interest in the village, which sits on the Coolera peninsula. There are over 70 ancient passage tombs on the Coolera peninsula. The most impressive passage tomb is the massive 5,000 year old neolithic cairn that sits on top of Knocknarea and is visible for miles around. We call it Queen Maeve's grave, which is one of the largest Stone Age monuments in western Europe. You can reach the monument by following the Queen Maeve trail up the hill to the summit of Knocknarea. You can also visit Strandhill's archaeological gem past Sligo Airport by taking the Killaspugbron Loop to visit the ruins of a Christian site founded by Saint Patrick in the fifth century.

And trip to Strandhill is not complete without a visit to the nearby Carrowmore neolithic site situated in the centre of the Coolera Peninsula. Carrowmore is one of Ireland's largest neolithic sites and one of the four major passage tomb cemeteries in Ireland. Visit the Carrowmore visitor centre and take one of the regular tours to discover the significance of the this ancient sacred ritual centre and discover the fascinating history of the ancient inhabitants of Coolera responsible for the tomb's construction.

But you haven't done it all unless you come for a surf lesson in Strandhill with Sligo Surf Experience