Category: Visit | Page 7

Gearóid McDaid launches premier youth Surf invitational in Strandhill, Co. Sligo

Saltwater Festival is delighted to announce the debut of the first-ever Gearóid McDaid Invitational — a groundbreaking junior surf competition set to spotlight the future of Irish surfing. Ireland’s leading professional surfer Gearóid McDaid is set to launch a new benchmark in youth surfing with a one-day junior invitational event on the Wild Atlantic Coast.

Held in Strandhill and run in partnership with Irish Surfing, this elite contest will bring together 32 of the country’s most promising young surfers for a high-performance showdown.
“ Bringing my first invitational in conjunction with Irish Surfing to Strandhill means a lot to me — it’s where I grew up surfing and where my journey began. This event is all about giving the next generation of Irish surfers a real shot at something bigger, and showcasing the incredible talent we have right here at home.” — Gearóid McDaid Professional Surfer

This one-day junior surf competition will take place within a seven-day waiting period to allow for optimal conditions. The event features 32 junior competitors, 16 boys and 16 girls, selected by Gearóid McDaid. Two boys and two girls will earn Wild Card entries to the WSL Wild Atlantic Way Junior Pro, held during the Saltwater Festival in Bundoran. Winners will also receive prize packs courtesy of Rip Curl, Bell Surf, and Lost Shore. Runners-up may be considered as alternate wild card selections.

“ Delighted to be involved in the Gearoid McDaid Invitational. He has come up through the Irish Surfing system. This event represents a major step forward for competitive junior surfing in Ireland, and having it led by one of our most accomplished athletes makes it even more meaningful. It’s the kind of initiative that inspires young surfers and strengthens the future of Irish surfing.”
— Gavin McCrea, Technical Director, Irish Surfing

“ We’re thrilled to host the inaugural Gearóid McDaid Invitational as part of Saltwater Festival. This partnership is a perfect match — celebrating Irish surf culture, youth talent, and the energy that defines our coastline. Gearóid’s vision aligns perfectly with our mission to elevate Irish sport and community through world-class events alongside Irish Surfing ”
— Saltwater Festival Team

Anyone interested in taking part can visit www.saltwater.ie

Blue Flag and Green Coast awards for Sligo

Sligo County Council has been notified by An Taisce of the results of the Council’s Blue Flag and Green Coast Award Applications for 2025. An Taisce have announced the International Blue Flag and Green Coast Award recipients for 2025.

The Irish Blue Flag Jury met on the 7^th February 2025, and nominated sites for consideration to the International Blue Flag Jury for evaluation on 10^th April 2025. The International Jury have awarded 2 Blue Flags and 4 Green Coast awards to Sligo for the 2025 season.

The awards were presented by Mr. James Browne T.D., Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, at a ceremony held in the Ravenport Resort, Wexford on Friday 16^th May 2025.

Following the consideration by the International Jury, both Rosses Point and Enniscrone were awarded Blue flag status and also Green Coast Awards, while Dunmoran Strand and Streedagh Beach were awarded Green Coast Awards.

In total Sligo County Council will be awarded 2 Blue Flags and 4 Green Coast Awards for the 2025 bathing season. These awards are a recognition of the high-quality of the resorts and bathing water in Co Sligo.

The Blue Flag is an international award that recognises beach excellence and water quality.  The Blue Flag Programme is operated in Ireland by An Taisce.

The Green Coast Award is a symbol of environmental excellence and has been established to acknowledge, promote, and protect the environment of our beaches. The award is for beaches which have excellent water quality, but which are also prized for their natural, unspoilt environment. These sites must be managed in partnership with the local community to be considered for the Green Coast Award.

The Leas Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Councillor Edel McSharry has welcomed today’s announcement.

“Today’s announcement of two Blue Flags and four Green Coast Awards for Sligo’s beaches is a wonderful recognition of our ongoing efforts to protect and enhance our natural heritage. We are particularly thrilled that Rosses Point and Enniscrone have achieved dual Blue Flag and Green Coast status, alongside the continued success of Dunmoran Strand and Streedagh Beach. These awards are a testament to the hard work of local communities, volunteers, and Sligo County Council staff in protecting and enhancing our beaches.”

Sligo County Council acknowledges the continued support of the local community groups throughout the county in the management and pride they take in their local beaches, and will continue to work with these communities towards achieving the highest environmental standards at all our beaches during the 2025 bathing season.

An intensive bathing water monitoring programme will shortly commence for the 2025 bathing season. Water quality at Enniscrone, Mullaghmore, Rosses Point, Streedagh and Dunmoran beaches will be monitored at least fortnightly during the bathing season, and results of this monitoring will be displayed locally at each beach, and on the Council’s website.

Sligo County Council Launch First Ever Festivals & Events Strategy 2025 – 2029

Yeats Trail Touring Route

Sazerac Company Proudly Introduces Hawk’s Rock Distillery

Steeped in the natural beauty of County Sligo, Ireland, Hawk’s Rock represents the rebranding of Lough Gill Distillery, which was acquired by the spirits leader in 2022.

Leading global spirits company Sazerac, which owns and operates award-winning distilleries and homeplaces worldwide including Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky; Domaine Sazerac de Segonzac in Cognac, France; and Paul John Distillery in Goa, India, is proud to announce the renaming of its recently-acquired Irish Whiskey Distillery to Hawk’s Rock Distillery. Formerly known as Lough Gill Distillery, Hawk’s Rock will continue to produce and age Irish Whiskey under the watchful eye of Master Blender Helen Mulholland on the over 100-acre site located in County Sligo, Ireland, which includes the nationally listed historic landmark Hazelwood House.

The name change reflects Sazerac Company’s vision for the future of Irish Whiskey – the art and science of blending, innovation and respect for Sligo’s rich heritage. Named after a prominent outcrop in the Ox Mountains that inspired Nobel Prize winning poet William Butler (W.B.) Yeats’ play “At the Hawk’s Well”, Hawk’s Rock Distillery aims to become a global hub for Irish Whiskey, while offering a gateway to explore the rich traditions of Sligo and the surrounding region.

“The renaming of Hawk’s Rock Distillery marks a new, yet familiar, frontier for us,” says Sazerac President and CEO Jake Wenz. “Sazerac is known for its balanced approach to honouring tradition while embracing change in constant pursuit of crafting the world’s best spirits at our distilleries in America, India, Canada and France. Our mission holds true for Ireland, and we are excited to reveal how we are blending time-honoured traditions with bold innovation to advance the art of Irish whiskey-making.”

Leading the Hawk’s Rock distillation team as Master Blender is Helen Mulholland, the first female Master Blender in Irish Whiskey history, Chair of the Irish Whiskey Association and a Whiskey Hall of Fame inductee. She and her carefully-selected team have been entrusted with leading the creation and blending of Hawk’s Rock’s innovative new-to-world Irish whiskey brands, the first of which will debut in June 2025.

Sazerac Company acquired Lough Gill Distillery in 2022, drawn by its historical significance and the cultural richness of Ireland. Since then, the team has upgraded and tripled its warehouse capacity, expanded production and is modernising the distillery, ensuring continued growth while maintaining its commitment to quality.

“This rebrand is just the beginning for Hawk’s Rock Distillery,” says Wenz. “Throughout the changes at Hawk’s Rock, our vision remains the same – creating a track record for the aging and blending of award-winning whiskeys – and this name change brings us one step closer to bringing that vision to life.”

While Hawk’s Rock Distillery is closed to the public during renovations, Sazerac has received planning permission to develop a future visitor experience in Sligo. To ensure an honest restoration of Hazelwood House, Sazerac has hired a Grade 1 Conservation Architect from Howley Hayes Cooney Studio to lead its restoration. The phased delivery of this plan is being established, and Sazerac looks forward to welcoming visitors in the future.

For more information, please visit hawksrockdistillery.com.

Sligo Town Night Time Economy Enrichment and Diversification Grants Awarded

Sligo Town was selected as one of nine pilot towns and cities that has prepared an action plan setting out a range of interventions to support the coordinated development of our night time economy. This is an initiative of the Department of Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sports delivered in partnership by Sligo BID and Sligo County Council.

Following a competitive application process reviewed by an independent panel, fourteen innovative projects have been awarded grant funding to bring new and exciting evening experiences to life. These events will take place from April through September, taking place between 6pm and late, Thursdays to Sundays, across ten different locations throughout Sligo Town.

The funded projects will offer a diverse mix of cultural and community programming, including:

An Irish language live podcast
Evening family walk
Film shorts screenings
Open-air trad agus tine (music & fire)
DJ sets
Comedy shows
Community choir performance
A Dance social
Jazz music, and much more!

Edel Doran, Sligo Town’s Night-Time Economy Advisor, expressed her enthusiasm for what lies ahead:

“After the grant callout, I’m delighted and excited for what’s upcoming in Sligo town in the evening time. The grant process highlighted how Sligo is a place teeming with creative event organisers looking to offer something unique in the evening for the people of Sligo. It’s wonderful to see such a variance in the offering. I hope that this grant funding will help support these events to start off and then extend beyond the pilot window.”

Martin Lydon, Chief Executive of Sligo County Council, acknowledged the importance of a lively and safe night time economy; “We are proud to support this dynamic programme that highlights the creativity and energy within our events community. These grants not only enable exciting and inclusive events for all ages but also help strengthen Sligo’s identity as a vibrant, welcoming town after dark. It’s a key step in shaping a safer, more connected and culturally rich night-time experience for residents and visitors alike.”

Be sure to keep an eye on Sligo BID and Sligo County Council social media channels for events as they are officially announced.

Visit Sligo Seeking Social Media Agency for Paid Campaign Management

Sligo County Council is seeking a dynamic and creative provider to manage and elevate its “Visit Sligo” social media presence in 2025.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced social media agency or individual and involves comprehensive management of paid social media campaigns across platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and Youtube.

We are passionate about showcasing everything our stunning region has to offer. From breathtaking landscapes and outdoor adventures to vibrant festivals and world class cultural experiences, Sligo is a destination that truly has something for everyone.

The successful provider will work with the Visit Sligo team at this exciting time and develop and deliver targeted campaigns across the main social media channels. These campaigns will focus on raising awareness of Sligo as a year-round destination and promoting specific festivals and events happening throughout the county.

The closing date for submissions is Wednesday 2nd April 2025 and the full details can be requested by email to amccormack@sligococo.ie

Sligo shines on the great Irish bucket list

Sligo has taken centre stage in The Great Irish Bucket List, recently published by Discover Ireland! This inspiring guide highlights must-see destinations across the country, and Sligo proudly features not once, not twice, but three times on the list.

It’s no surprise to us, of course. Those of us lucky enough to live here know that Sligo’s landscape, culture, and outdoor adventures are second to none. But it’s wonderful to see our county receiving this kind of national spotlight, reminding everyone just how special Sligo is.

So, which Sligo gems made the list?

1. Walk to Coney Island at low tide

A visit to tranquil Coney Island in Sligo is as much about the journey as it is about the destination – it’s accessible only by car or foot at low tide. The remote island gets its name from the colony of rabbits who live there, follow the stone pillars that mark out the route and tell your friends how you walked to an island.

2. Visit Carrowmore

Carrowmore is currently undergoing refurbishment and is due to re-open with a new refreshed visitor experience in May 2025. You can keep up to date with these details on their website here.

Older than the great Egyptian pyramids, the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery in Sligo is one of the most important megalithic sites in Ireland with an extraordinary collection of huge dolmens, tombs, and stone circles. Wander around the mysterious stone structures, immerse yourself in their rich history and uncover their ancient secrets.

3. Surf on the Wild Atlantic Way

Sligo is lucky to have the National Surf Centre in the beautiful coastal village of Strandhill – just outside Sligo town. Warm showers and clean changing facilities are available and you can enjoy a friendly surf lesson with qualified teachers no matter what your level is. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, there’s a perfect wave for you to tick surfing the Atlantic off your list. Check out the National Surf Centre website here.

We have so much to see and do here in Sligo. Check out our What’s on guide too for the best music, arts and festivals.

You can see what else made the great Irish bucket list here.

Sligo St. Patrick’s Festival: Four Days of Fun, Music, and Celebrations

Sligo Gears Up for Holiday World Show 2025 for 3rd year

Twenty Four Tourism Businesses Rally together to Showcase the Best of Sligo on the national stage.

In preparation for the upcoming Holiday World Show 2025, taking place at the RDS in Dublin from Friday, January 24th to Sunday, January 26th, Sligo County Council, who are co-ordinating the project, hosted an industry information session for local tourism businesses and organisations involved in tourism within the county.

The session followed weeks of preparation and provided an invaluable opportunity to engage and brief tourism stakeholders on plans for the exhibition and to build momentum for what promises to be a crucial event for the promotion of Sligo as a visitor destination.

The Holiday World Show is Ireland’s premier travel exhibition, drawing thousands of visitors over three days who are eager to discover the best travel destinations, experiences, and adventures.

This year, with a brand new look, Sligo aims to take centre stage, showcasing its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, vibrant arts, music scene, food and top-tier hospitality offerings to a national and international audience.

From local accommodation providers to adventure tour operators, from food specialists to wellness businesses, the collective goal is to inspire visitors to choose Sligo as their next destination.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Sligo to showcase all we have to offer on a national stage,” said Aidan McCormack, Tourism Officer with Sligo County Council.

“Our tourism businesses and industry stakeholders offer a world class experience in a stunning place and we want to encourage as many people as possible to come to Sligo and enjoy the magic of this place for themselves.”

Visitors to the Sligo stand at the Holiday World Show can look forward to engaging with local industry experts and take the chance to win prizes totalling over €1000 each day. Local food and drink samples will be available and the distinctive sound of Sligo style traditional music will entertain visitors throughout the show.