I was invited recently by Visit Sligo to check out the new picnic offering from The Diamond Coast Hotel in Enniscrone, which is part of the newly launched Sligo Picnics initiative from Sligo Food Trail.
I love the idea of picking up a picnic and heading off somewhere close by to enjoy a beautiful view and fabulous food, there’s nothing worse than bringing a sandwich from home, which usually ends up being soggy after being in the car for so long.
The Sligo Picnics initiative is a brilliant idea. It gives people the chance to enjoy a local food experience in our beautiful county. There are so many stunning locations in Sligo, you’ll be spoilt for choice. And there’s a great choice of picnics from food establishments across County Sligo.
The Diamond Coast is a beautiful hotel in Enniscrone, which is located on the Wild Atlantic Way, around a 40 minute drive from Sligo town, and about a 10 minute drive to Ballina in County Mayo. It’s a stunning location and perfect for a day trip, you can walk the beautiful sandy beach, visit the oldest seaweed baths in the county, go stand up paddling, or if you are adventurous try horse riding or surfing. If you are a golfer be sure to check out Enniscrone Golf Course.
When I went to the hotel to collect the picnic, I was delighted to meet Head Chef Allan Maynard, he’s passionate about Irish food and he told me all about the picnic. I also got the chance to ask him about people with dietary requirements, and he said that’s no problem at all, just let the hotel know when you are booking. They require 24 hours notice, so that they can have everything ready for you to collect. At €18 for two people, I think it’s exceptional value. It was beautifully presented in Sligo Food Trail boxes and a Sligo Food Trail bag. Just a word of warning, hold the boxes from the bottom, as the handles aren’t very sturdy, and I ended up chasing my water down the beach!
The picnic had a lovely mix of treats: homemade brown bread, two Irish cheeses – Cooleeney Brie (made in Tipperary) and Dozio Barr Rua (made in Mayo) – along with butter, tomatoes, grapes, melon, two homemade scones, chutney, jam, O’Donnells crisps, and delicate macarons in a variety of flavours. Yeats still water was also included, and all of the food packaging was compostable.
I took my picnic on a little tour of the area – when I’m out, I’m out! I visited the Black Pig statue, though the legend behind it is a little too eerie for me to tell you here. I also spent some time on the beach enjoying my treats and a long walk along the beach, and I loved chatting with local dog walkers and other visitors. Enniscrone is such a warm and friendly place.
On the way home, I stopped in Easkey, which is another beautiful seaside village in Sligo, and a haven for surfers. It’s just a short drive from Enniscrone and it’s another perfect spot for a picnic by the ocean.
All in all, it was a wonderful day and felt like a little holiday. There’s nowhere quite like County Sligo in the sunshine – especially when it’s paired with delicious food.
Thanks so much to Visit Sligo for the kind invitation, it’s very much appreciated. You can read all about The Diamond Coast Hotel, and the other Sligo Food Trail picnics here: https://sligofoodtrail.ie/plan-your-visit/sligo-picnic/
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