A Coastal Escape With Dramatic Cliffs Is A Beautiful Haven Tucked Into Ireland's Lush Northwest

Home to beautiful sandy beaches and world-famous surfing, Sligo is one of the Emerald Isle's less well-known and underrated counties. Situated on the northwest coast along the Wild Atlantic Way, it's one of the most scenic vacation spots in the world. With epic waves, artistic culture, and its fair share of myths and legends, this is one coastal destination you shouldn't skip on a trip to Ireland.

County Sligo (pronounced sly-go) is easy to reach by train, plane, or car. With a solid public transportation system, Sligo offers both bus and train stations. Trains from Dublin to Sligo run regularly and take around three hours. Renting or hiring a car gives you the freedom to explore the out-of-the-way megaliths and other ancient ruins. The nearby Ireland West Airport near Charleston in County Mayo is 34 miles away, with flights from several European destinations. Otherwise, you can fly into Dublin or Belfast and enjoy the scenic drive over rolling hills and through hidden valleys. Whichever route you choose, you'll find a land of warm welcomes, wild scenery, and a culture that'll make you want to move here permanently.

Between pretty coastal villages and dramatic clifftop landscapes, County Sligo has some lovely sandy beaches perfect for a relaxing stroll or surfing adventures. Three standout beaches are Mullaghmore, Enniscrone, and Rosses Point. Mullaghmore may be a quiet fishing village, but the action takes place on the waves. It's one of the most renowned surfing spots in the world, often making it onto lists of the world's biggest waves. Surfers come from around the globe to ride swells that can reach up to 60 feet – not for the faint-hearted.

Of course, you don't need to be a surfing expert to enjoy the waves in Sligo. At Enniscrone, the waves are a more reasonable size, making it an ideal spot for beginners. If you fancy giving surfing a try, North West Surf School has lessons starting from around $34 for adults. The 3.1-mile-long sandy beach is perfect for a relaxing sunset stroll, and this family-friendly resort is safe for swimming. Another perfect spot for beginners is Strandhill Beach, with consistent waves and highly rated surf schools.

The picturesque Rosses Point is a popular beach and is closer to Sligo town. Winning awards for its cleanliness (as well as Enniscrone), this 5-mile stretch of beach, set against a backdrop of the Dartry Mountains, is perfect for spotting seals and dolphins, watersports, and hearing a few colorful tales of pirates and shipwrecks. Over 60 ships have been lost in the waters around Rosses Point, and in the 18th century, it was a smugglers' cove full of pirates. It's even said that the infamous pirate "Black Jack" sailed in these waters.

Speaking of myths and legends, a certain poet, William Butler Yeats, and his artist brother Jack Butler Yeats had deep ties to County Sligo, otherwise known as Yeats' country. William Butler Yeats won the 1923 Nobel Prize for Literature and often took inspiration from the local landscape and ancient Irish myths. You can learn more about his life and works in the Yeats Memorial Building in Sligo town.

The spectacular scenery is one of the main reasons to come to Sligo, and parts of the county were even used as filming locations in the series "Normal People." Two of the best places to admire the scenery are Benbulben and Knocknarea. If you can make it to the top of Benbulben, the flat tabletop mountain just to the north of Sligo town, you'll be rewarded with some cracking views over the Atlantic Ocean. Knocknarea, to the west, is said to be the final resting place of the mythical warrior Queen Maeve, who is believed to be buried upright with her spear in hand. She is featured in no less than seven of W.B. Yeats' poems. Both of these hikes are long and exposed, so a good pair of walking boots and a warm waterproof jacket are strongly recommended.

No trip to Ireland would be complete without music and a hearty pint of Guinness in a cosy pub. Ireland is one of the friendliest countries in Europe, and you'll find plenty of that famous Irish hospitality at McLynns Bar, Thomas Connelly's pub, and Hopkins Bar. And if Guinness or whiskey aren't your thing, why not try a nice, healing seaweed bath at VOYA, where you can relax and soak up the nourishing properties of the Atlantic Ocean — without the crashing waves.