Three-time Olympic gold medallist explores Sligo with new tour company
A three-time Olympic gold medallist was among the first guests to explore Sligo’s heritage and landscapes with Ireland in Focus, a new tour company launched by local landscape photographer Ciarán McHugh.
The week-long heritage and photography tour, based out of Temple House Estate, offers visitors an immersive small-group experience uncovering Ireland’s hidden heritage, from sweeping coastlines and ancient tombs to local craft studios.
While designed to showcase the “real Ireland,” Ireland in Focus tours also weave in gentle photography instruction from McHugh, helping guests learn how to better capture their journey, whether using professional cameras or mobile phones.
“My aim was to create something personal and authentic – an experience that lets guests connect with Ireland the way locals do,” said Carney resident Ciarán McHugh. “The tour moves at a relaxed pace, giving guests time to take it all in. Photography becomes a tool for seeing, not just taking pictures. It helps guests slow down and notice the details that make Ireland so special.”
Among the inaugural tour guests was Nancy Hogshead, a three-time Olympic gold medallist and one of the most accomplished female swimmers in U.S. history. Hogshead, now a leading advocate for gender equity and athlete rights, joined the tour as part of her first visit to Ireland.
Speaking after the tour, Nancy Hogshead said: “Every day was unforgettable, one heart-stopping view after another. We watched pottery and iron being forged into art, listened to a harpist during dinner. We listened to the local storyteller regale us with stories of the fairies and local customs”.
The group spent seven days based entirely at Temple House, a 1,000-acre estate that includes a lakeside 13th-century Knights Templar castle. Staying in one location allows guests to unpack once, unwind, and truly immerse themselves in the surroundings.
The tour was also a showcase of local collaboration, bringing together some of Sligo’s most talented craftspeople, musicians, and storytellers. Guests enjoyed exclusive meet-the-makers visits, including a behind-the-scenes look at John Ryan Ceramics and a hands-on demonstration at the forge of master blacksmith Michael Budd.
One of the most memorable evenings at Temple House saw the haunting Uilleann pipes of Brian Leach drift across the lakeside night sky, guiding guests to a surprise firepit gathering. There, under the stars, the group sipped hot chocolate and listened to ghost and fairy stories told by renowned Mullaghmore storyteller Joe McGowan – an experience that perfectly captured the magic and intimacy of the week.
From private visits to traditional workshops to exploring the wild beauty of the Atlantic coast and ancient sites, each day offered a unique encounter with Irish culture. The tours particularly appeal to senior travellers and solo female travellers seeking meaningful, well-paced experiences with exclusive local access and genuine personal connection.
“Around 90% of our week was spent in Sligo, and we still only scratched the surface,” added Ciarán McHugh. “It’s the total opposite of those big whistle-stop tours that try to cover all of Ireland – you see everything, but experience nothing. Sligo has so much to offer, and what we’re doing proves you can build an incredible experience around one region.”
With Ireland in Focus now fully booked for 2025 and new dates for 2026 soon to open, the company looks set to put Sligo firmly on the map for visitors seeking authentic Irish cultural experiences.
