i want to go on a road trip.
just you, me, the highway and the radio.
the blue sky, the back roads, and windows down.

we’ll talk about everything and nothing.
and we’ll sing our hearts out
and we’ll make memories we’ll never, ever forget.
just you and me.

I ♥ these lines as they perfectly describe how we set out and discovered Sligo last year in October. The county of Sligo is also known as Yeats County, as the poet and Nobel laureate William Butler Yeats spent much of his childhood in Northern Sligo and the county inspired much of his poetry.

Yeats said, “the place that has really influenced my life most is Sligo” and he is buried at the foot of his beloved Ben Bulben, in Drumcliffe. Ben Bulben is Ireland’s most distinctive mountain and is known in some parts as Ireland’s version of Table Mountain.

Located just north of the thriving town of Sligo, part of the range known as the Dartry Mountains, in the Northwest of Ireland, it presides over the town like a giant sentry monitoring the comings and goings of the people and the life with a watchful eye.

The magnificent mountains, winding rivers and uneven coastline make Sligo popular among tourists and backpackers.

As a striking contrast to the rugged uplands and terrains of the county, the lakes around Sligo are well-known for their very still waters and marshlands. Sligo is popular for its rich Irish history, heritage, folklore and mythology.

Almost every stone and hill in the county has its own and unique story to tell. While the town itself is unspectacular, the area is among the top attractions you should visit in Ireland.

When you are in Sligo, you can find a refuge in its small hotels, self-catering accommodation options and B&Bs. My favorite place to stay at is the Benwiskin Centre.

The Benwiskin Centre is set in a beautiful scenic rural location in Ballintrillick, North Co. Sligo, in the shadow of Benwiskin Mountain, part of Ireland’s Dartry Mountain range. The Gleniff Horseshoe Drive and much more is waiting to be explored.

The Sligo coastline is just a short distance away and offers a breathtaking view of the waves of the Atlantic Ocean on windy days.

The county’s scenic coast has some excellent surfing beaches like Strandhill, Rosses Point, Enniscrone and Mullaghmore Head.

One of my favorite places in Ireland is Mullaghmore Head and last year we were lucky enough to witness, feel and photograph the power of nature like never before.

Mullaghmore is also known as one of the best big wave surfing locations in the world. No wonder, as we saw some giant waves, the biggest that we’ve ever seen. Words can’t express – so I hope the pictures do reflect – how awesome it felt to be standing on the shore, watching the tide coming in….

Mullaghmore Head was the site for the first big waves tow-in surf contest in Ireland in 2011…. and I just read about another epic tow and paddle session in the teeth of winter. Brrr…. take a look!

Sligo is very well located for exploring the Northwest Ireland and Lakelands area of Ireland. Glencar Lake and Waterfall in Co. Leitrim are very easily accessible as day trips.

Take the N16 road north from Sligo in the direction of Manorhamilton, watch for signs to the left to Glencar, approximately 15 km (10 miles) from Sligo. Beautiful waterfall – but by no means a huge one – in a small narrow glen, immortalised by W. B. Yeats in his poem, The Stolen Child.

Since we’ve welcomed our little boy last September, there will be no more “just you and me” road trips for us . We feel so blessed to have him and I just can’t wait to show him the beauty of Ireland….

we’ll make memories we’ll never, ever forget.
just the three of us.
i promise.
♥