Simply Sligo – Gift Ideas

Sligo have a great variety of shops and markets, OK so we don’t have Marks and Spencer but we do have some unique places to shop. I’ve decided to do a post of gift ideas….all of these are aimed at me to be honest! I’ve decided if I like them, some of you will.

 

To the waters….
We have such a great range of spas and salons here in Sligo.
Voya Seaweed Baths – who are selling vouchers online and in Johnston Court Shopping Centre. Yeats Country Hotel also have seaweed baths and the one I’m longing to try out – a turf bath!
Milk and Honey Salon have gorgeous goat milk baths.

A foodie experience.
Sligo Food Trail have a lot of food experiences on offer. I was trying to pick just a few but it’s very hard so here are my suggestions.
A cooking course with Sweet Beat or Pudding Row.
Rathcormac Super Bowl,  make your own wooden bowl with Colm Brennan wood turner followed by lunch at Vintage Lane Cafe.
A course with Gaby at Neantog Kitchen, she’s fascinating and full of knowledge.

An art adventure
A RAW workshop with Amanda Grace, learn how to express yourself through the art of journalling.
Art for adults with Aideen at the Benwiskin Centre. Suitable for all levels.
Glass bead making with Graham Reid, this looks very cool.

For the book lover
Lorna Watkins has a lovely new range of notebooks out at her Studio by the Sea.
Liber Bookshop, something for everyone is this locally run shop with friendly service too. If they don’t have it, they’ll try to get it.
BookMart. Over 20,000 vintage books to choose from, even if something is out of print they might be able to get it for you.

Anytime is Afternoon Tea Time
What about a voucher for Afternoon Tea?
Eala Bhan is tried and tested – simply gorgeous and you probably won’t need to eat for a week.
Cawley’s Hotel in Tubbercurry have a festive afternoon tea which looks gorgeous.
The Glasshouse, if the afternoon tea is anything like the chocolate houses on their train set it’s bound to be fab.

An adventurous experience.
Explore land, sea or water with Northwest Adventure Tours.
Go walking or go kayaking in South Sligo with Wild Wet Adventures.
A horse ride on the beach with Island View Riding Stables.

Handbags and Gladrags
Mother Says Design make gorgeous bags, so classy, stylish and well made. They also make unique, handcrafted fashion.
A piece of Martina Hamilton jewellery, there are some really stunning pieces to choose from.
Something special from Chickys Vintage/Heads You Win in Water Lane.

Home and garden
Quickcrop have a huge selection of all kinds of garden products, they are based in Sligo with nationwide delivery.
Check out the Hamilton Gallery and Hyde Bridge Gallery for a unique piece of art to brighten any home.
Cannings, something for every budget and a great selection too.
Wooden It Be Nice. Gorgeous, unique furniture, located in Grange and well worth a visit.
The gorgeous little wooden cottages below were for sale at the Christmas Craft Fair at St. John’s Cathedral. They’d look wonderful in any garden and are made by George in Collooney – not George Clooney but close! I have his contact details if you want them.

Glorious Gifts
The Cat and the Moon – the number one Sligo shop for gifts for all ages. Best of all they are all made in Ireland.
Looney Creations, a pop-up shop next to Osta with all kinds of quirky and unusual gifts including coasters, cheese boards, necklaces etc.
Made in Sligo. There’s a pop-up shop in Water Lane selling beautiful gifts made in Co. Sligo, well worth a look.
Cait + I. Two sisters sharing the best of Irish Design and Craft. Something for all the family including some gorgeous bits for kids.
The markets – a whole host of suppliers and gifts on offer. There’s Strandhill People’s Market, Rathcormac Market and don’t forget the gorgeous Rathcormac Craft Village – Wildheart silver jewellery, The Armada ceramic sculpture and Gecko Glass steampunk lamps, Beltra Country Market, Drummartin Market and Cliffoney.

Pooch presents
You can’t forget the four legged friend in your life so how about:
Five Star Dog Training. Give the gift of a well behaved dog this Christmas. These guys are fantastic at positive training for dogs and owners.
K9_Fit. A gorgeous range of goodies and gifts for sale for your furry friends.

Marvellous Music
A voucher for the Hawk’s Well Theatre to see a fantastic show.
The Record Room stocking music by Irish artists and a wide range of musical instruments.
Guitar lessons with B#Music. I’ve heard great things about this music teacher.

And relax….
After all that shopping you’ll need a bit of relaxation so here are a few ideas:
YogaHome and before you stress don’t worry you don’t need to wrap your head around your neck, they have classes for all levels.
Sligo Pilates. I loved this class, so relaxing -when I stopped wondering if I had enough cheese, switched the immersion off etc.
Louise Waters Natural Therapies, massages, facials, yoga (including yoga for children).

If you can’t decide from all of these suggestions Sligo Chamber have a gift card which is accepted in over 70 businesses in Co. Sligo.

So there you go, a very comprehensive Sligo gift guide – I’d love them all – plus the ones I didn’t mention – art supplies, a laptop, a camera, world peace,  a loving family for every pet and a home, health and happiness for everyone. I sound like Pollyanna!