Things to do over the Christmas Break in Sligo, Roscommon, Leitrim and beyond

Hopefully the turkey sandwiches are now a thing of the past but I’m sure ‘I’m bored’ is a well used term in most households – probably from the adults ;). Here are just a few ideas to keep the family entertained throughout the holidays.

As I’m based in Sligo most of the ideas will be in or around the North West but worth travelling for whatever part of the country you are in.

All areas:

Explore Ireland with Abarta Heritage Audio guides. Most are free to download, you can find out more here: http://www.abartaheritage.ie/audioguides/

Go on a real life treasure hunt. Geocaching is great fun for all ages. Using your GPS enabled device you navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.

 Parkrun. A 5km timed run or walk every Saturday morning. You need to register to take part but it’s free.

Go walking.
The Sligo Walks website is brilliant for highlighting some of the fabulous walks we have here in Sligo. The Caves of Keash is one of my favourite walks – but do mind your footing as it’s very narrow in places.
Roscommon Walks, a handy PDF brochure, I’d recommend The Lilliput Way, a gorgeous walk for all ages. I’d also recommend the Castlerea Demesne Walk, including the fairy trail, elephants grave and more: https://magnumlady.com/2021/08/05/exploring-castlerea/
Mayo Walks also has a website. There are some fantastic walks all around Erris but for quirkiness head to Claremorris – The Land of the Giants at Clare Lake.
Leitrim Walks. Miners Way (which also takes in Roscommon) looks fab. There’s a lovely walk at Fowley’s Falls near The Organic Centre. There’s also Troll Wood near Parkes Castle, and of course Glencar Waterfall – perfect for a visit to the Glencar Teashed too.
Irish Trails have a great website for walks all over the country.
The National Famine Way. A 165km walk from Roscommon to Dublin, you can do this in sections and you can read my blog post here.

Visit an art gallery  (do check the opening times though) –
Sligo: The Model, Hamilton Gallery, Hyde Bridge Gallery.
Leitrim: The Dock, Solas, Leitrim Sculpture Centre.
Mayo: Linenhall,  Ballina Arts Centre, Ballinglen Arts Foundation

See a show –
Donegal: Abbey Centre, Balor Arts Centre, An Grianan,
Sligo: Hawk’s Well Theatre
Roscommon: Roscommon Arts Centre
Leitrim: The Dock
Mayo: Linenhall, Ballina Arts Centre

Museums-
Roscommon – Strokestown Park (home of the National Famine Museum, a walled garden, forest walk, tour of the house, and more, Arigna Mining Experience (not just a museum but a tour into the mines), Rathcroghan – home of Halloween!
Mayo – Museum of Country Life, just outside Castlebar in Mayo. (free admission)
Jackie Clarke Collection, Ballina, Co. Mayo

Cinema:
Carrick Cineplex, Leitrim
Omniplex, Sligo and Roscommon
Eclipse, Bundoran and Lifford, Donegal
IMC, Ballina, Mayo
Mayo Movie World

Indoor play centres –
Sligo: Five Star Fun, Funny Bones, 
Mayo: Mayo Leisure Point Castlebar
Roscommon: Upsie Daisies

The library has a lot of services on offer, including free online courses, and more. Check it all out here: https://www.librariesireland.ie/

There’s just one website you need to find out all the Sligo gigs, John the Map does this voluntarily and it’s an amazing resource: https://johnthemap.co.uk/sm-file/mobile.html

So there are just some suggestions of things to do. Not a comprehensive guide by any means. Feel free to leave a comment if you have anything to recommend.