Sligo offers a mix of outdoor adventure, literature, and cultural experience. I still remember the first time I went to Sligo and saw the Benbulben mountain. It was magical. In the article, you will get all the details “Family-Friendly Activities in Sligo (My 20 Best Picks)”

From scenic landscapes to historical sites, this charming county offers something for everyone. With your kids, you can explore eagles flying, discover Benbulben adventures, enjoy Ballymote playground and so on! Whether you’re here for a short break or a longer adventure, every corner of Sligo offers something new.   

This place is also cherished by Ireland’s most treasured poet W.B. Yeats. He mentioned Sligo as “the land of heart’s desire”. Now let’s see if this place can capture your heart too or not! 

In this blogpost, we will help you make the most of your time in Sligo. Let’s start my guide of things to do in Sligo for families. 

If you are planning to travel to Sligo on a rainy day, then these things will be the best to enjoy!

Zero Gravity Skatepark 

If skating is a family hobby you are in the perfect place! The largest indoor skate park in the North West of Ireland is located in Sligo!

Neville Dunbar, a local skater, founded the “Zero Gravity” center in 2015. Birch plywood and best wood were used in the construction of this place. If your child is only at beginner level then you need not worry.

Skateboarders of all skill levels are welcome to use this skatepark. Rollerblading and BMXing are also enjoyable activities. At Zero Gravity, you can rent all the necessary equipment and on weekends, instruction is provided.

Lessons start from €25.

Eagles Flying Centre

The ideal destination for a trip with the kids might be Eagles Flying Center! Situated in Sligo’s hills, it boasts a spacious interior exhibition area.

There are hundreds of vultures, owls, hawks, and eagles kept here. A petting zoo featuring lambs, guinea pigs, goats, donkeys, and ferrets is also present. There will be two “bird shows” for you to enjoy every day.

Price of a family ticket: €46

 Vertigo Collooney

If your children have a passion for creative problem-solving, Vertigo Colony excellent as an ideal haven for the adventurous. This locale offers an outstanding collection of attractions including an aerial ropes course, a tempest emulator and a sculptural climbing installation. The facility prides itself on its strong safety tethering system, which accommodates both teenagers and adults with equal diligence. 

Entry fees start at a typical €3.

Waterpoint Aqua Park

Waterpoint Aqua Park might be an additional unique location for your kids. There is a 65-meter flume water slide and an indoor heated pool at this park!

You shouldn’t be concerned if safety is on your mind. They have an inflatable obstacle course, a climbing wall, a Funzone activity center, and a separate kiddie pool for infants and toddlers.

The best deal is available on “Fun Day Fridays” if your child wishes to participate in every activity. All of the aforementioned activities are accessible for just €12 in this.

The family ticket is €46.

The Model Art Gallery

The Model Art Gallery is located in the center of Sligo, it is a model of cultural diversity, housing one of Ireland’s best-known public art collections. The famous Niland Collection, which contains works by notable artists including Jack Butler Yeats, is housed in the gallery. It features an eclectic mix of conventional and avant-garde artworks.

The gallery is particularly well known for its dedication to nurturing young minds. It often plans a wide range of kid-friendly activities, such as interactive workshops and camps that encourage arts and crafts.

Furthermore, since entry to the gallery is free, guests can take advantage of the experience it has to offer without worrying about their financial situation.  

Happy Days Adventure Play Centre

In inclement weather, Happy Days Adventure Play Center has been recognized as the most important destination for families traveling to Sligo. It includes two unique zones of comfortable play areas – each carefully designed for different age groups There are children’s and toddler playgrounds, complete with an assortment of slides and ball pits, inviting endless fun. For more advanced age descendants, the space offers a separate area filled with countless engaging activities.

For adults to relax while keeping a watchful eye on their children, a strategically placed café offers solace. Here, one can take a relaxing break or a leisurely drink while overseeing the children’s playful activities.

Entry is set at a modest Euro 5, ensuring an accessible escape for family fun.

Surfing in Sligo

Surfers can refer to Sligo as their paradise. The best wind for surfing is found at the beaches of Strandhill, Strigah, and Eski!

The best waves in the Wild Atlantic Way are also received by the coast due to its orientation. Visitors from all over the world come here to enjoy the taste of local surfing. They call it the “Surf Coast” of Ireland!

Mullaghore is a popular spot for big wave storm surfers during the winter storm season. Until recently, Mullaghmore even held the record for surfing the biggest wave!

Also, your kids will benefit a lot from it. Surf lessons for adults and children are offered daily by Strandhill Surf School in Sligo. Here, all equipment is provided, and lessons last 2.5 hours. Additionally, you can enroll your youngster in their surf camp if that’s something you’re interested in!

Family tickets you may get on  €150.

Seaweed Baths

Have you ever considered using seaweed in your bath? Not at all, right?

When visiting Sligo, seaweed baths in Enniscrone will provide you with a memorable experience. It may sound strange, but taking a seaweed bath is actually rather pleasant!

It’s good for your health too! Seaweed in the water releases vitamins and minerals that act as natural moisturizers and anti-aging agents. Additionally, it will help the thyroid regulate metabolism, reduce eczema and heal damaged skin cells, all of which will contribute to smoother skin.

Apart from exfoliating, you can warm them with herbal tea.

Devil’s Chimney

Devil’s chimney is very stunning! At 150m this waterfall is the highest in Ireland. It is located in the West Irish Dartry Mountains, straddling the borders of the counties of Sligo and Leitrim. Aghaidh is the Irish name for Sruth an Aird, meaning “stream against the height.” Because the wind blows from the south, the waterfall flows backwards, up and over the hill.

Devil’s Chimney is at its most picturesque after a rainstorm. Devil’s Chimney and Glencar Falls are also easy to see on the same day because they are close.

Participating in all the aforementioned activities on a wet day is now ideal. These upcoming sites may be worth visiting in the summer.

Northwest Adventure Tours

Would you like to discover the amazing scenery of Sligo? Your best option might be Northwest Adventure Tours.

Here are a few of the most stunningly beautiful hidden gems in the county that you may discover with a guided bike trip. Together with your tour guide, you will see some of Sligo’s most stunning tourist destinations. Your children may get up close and personal with Irish flora and fauna here.

A family ticket costs €90.

Boat Trip to Lough Gill

The Ideal months for boating in Sligo are July to September. There is a freshwater lake which runs from Sligo town to Lough Gill. You can enjoy a restful one-hour cruise while taking in the stunning views of the lake.Also you can take part in outdoor activities like boating and fishing in this serene location.

This lake also has historical importance. You have the opportunity to relate and appreciate the lake through “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” by W.B. Yeats.

Sligo Dark Tales Tour

If your kids are interested in ghost stories, Sligo offers a mystical treat. Embark on a “Sligo Dark Tales Tour,” a twilight odyssey The tour explores Sligo’s darkest times, including Bram Stoker’s childhood and the deadly cholera epidemic that inspired him to write Dracula. Furthermore, a post-sunset investigation of Sligo Abbey and Sligo Gaol is equally interesting. This two-hour guided tour weaves its way through Sligo’s historic panorama that extends to the present day.   

Glencar Waterfall

If you’re a Yeats fan, you’ve probably heard of Glencar Falls. He gave high praise to this waterfall in his poem “The Stolen Child”.

This 50-feet tall Glencar Falls is aesthetically pleasing. To get here, you can walk a short distance along a nature trail through the forest. This could be the best free activity in Sligo!

Yeats Grave in Drumcliff

You can encourage your child’s love of reading by taking them to Yeats Grave. A child can play with words, express himself through poetry, discover balance and reconnect with himself through literature.

Additionally, Yeats’s poem mentions the well-known sites you visit in Sligo. As I hinted at earlier, The Stolen Child, Down by the Sally Garden and Lake Isle of Innisfree are all there.

This village was Yeats’ final resting place.

Drumcliffe Village is another serene and peaceful location. A charming cafe and gift shop can be found there, with a huge selection of Yeats books, woolen crafts and fun cards.

The Monastic Island of Inishmurray

What a wonderful historic location in Inishmoor! Folklore has it that the island was home to a prosperous monastery in the 9th century. Viking raiders at that time raided there in search of gold and other valuables. Such raids were somewhat common then. However, it was unusual for the men of Sligo on the mainland to retaliate and be able to successfully blockade the island from the invaders. After that, the Vikings did not want to go back!

However, make sure the island is open to visitors before going.

Ancient Megalithic Sites

The Coolera Peninsula and the area around the Garavog River have been inhabited since the prehistoric Megalithic period. About 5,000 years ago, they built tombs, cairns, monuments, and other structures. These creatures, which even predate the pyramids, are still alive and well in rural Sligo!

Consider the massive cairn atop Knocknaria Hill. or the megalithic tombs of Carrokill and Caromo. Although difficult to access, these historical tombs are visible from the cairn on top of Keshkoran Hill.

The famous “Shelly Place”

Do you know what “Sligo” means? Have you ever considered the possibility of a deeper meaning of this name?

You may be surprised to learn that Sligo’s Irish name, Slighach, means “shelly place.” The shellfish industry has been important to the people of Sligo since the Megalithic era. And the evidence to support its name is still here. Nowadays, Sligo and the surrounding areas are well known for Lissadale oysters and mussels

London chefs continue to regard these oysters as the finest of all. Thus, while visiting the city, make sure to sample Sligo’s shells.

The cave of Diarmuid & Grainne

Do you know ? another legendary location from Irish mythology is Diarmuid and Gráinne’s Cave. I believe we all love the story of Romeo and Juliet. Something like this in this cave!

Legend has it that Gráinne was the daughter of High King Cormac mac Aert, and that Diarmuid was one of the Fianna’s most skilled warriors. After falling in love, Grainne tells Diarmuid to run away. Compressed by the rule of honor, Diarmuid initially objected but later yielded to Grainne’s pressure.

Fionn and his warriors chased Diarmuid and Grainne for a while. They took sanctuary in several places during their flight, including Diarmuid’s and Grain’s caves. For this reason, this cave – like other places in Irish mythology – is often represented as a place of secrecy and safety.

Caving at Marble Arch Caves

And finally the marble arch cave!Yes, Marble Arch Cave is a great place for an underground adventure with your kids. This is the location, which is a short drive from Sligo, has been designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Just take a guide to discover magnificent rock formations, underground rivers and twisting corridors.

Sligo Food Trail

Sligo is the best place to discover Ireland’s contemporary gastronomic culture. A contributing factor to Ireland’s growing culinary stature is the Sligo Food Trail. Here, a group of chefs work together to create delicious, healthy recipes that emphasize the use of fresh, local ingredients.

Shell’s Cafe, located on the beach in Strandhill, is a great place to have brunch if the whim strikes. One of the best spots in Mollaghore for seafood is Ethna’s by the Sea. Also, Sweetbit Cafe is ideal location for vegetarians.

Sligo has many family-friendly things to do, such as outdoor adventures and cultural events. Whether you’re exploring historic monuments, surfing, or just relaxing on the coast, this charming part of Ireland has something to offer everyone. Ready for an amazing trip to Sligo? Then pack your bags, gather the family and get going!