20 Attractions to Explore Near Dernish Island

Mullaghmore Head in County Sligo is a very special place and a deserving Signature Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point. The village of Mullaghmore is a charming fishing village with a working harbour and a beautiful sandy beach with great views of Benbulben. It is a holiday destination with a skyline dominated by Ben Bulben mountain. It is in the barony of Carbury and parish of Ahamlish.

Situated on a hill overlooking the village of Mullaghmore, Classiebawn Castle is an Irish castle located in County Sligo. It is a fairy tale castle that sits on the steep coastline of the Irish coast, with a breathtaking view of the Ben Bulben, one of the most famous mountains in the area. It was designed in the Baronial style by Dublin architect James Rawson Carroll, and is constructed from a yellow-brown sandstone brought by sea from County Donegal.

This well preserved site is said to be one of the largest court cairns in Ireland. The monument is located in the N15 Donegal to Sligo road, 200 meters north of Creevykeel cross-roads close to Cliffoney village in County Sligo. The original name for the Creevykeel monument is Caiseal an Bhaoisgin, the Fort of Bhaoisgin, Tober an Bhaoisgin being the name of the well near the cairn. A second megalithic monument existed 300 meters to the north, but it was demolished around 1890.

Mullaghmore Beach is situated in North Sligo next to the picturesque village of Mullaghmore. It is approximately 3km of white sandy beach and is a very popular surfing spot. This rural sandy beach is backed by an extensive dune system and with view of Ben Bulben, overlooked by the majestic Classiebawn Castle on the headland. It is also renowned for being a base for licensed angling/passenger boats for charter, sea angling and trips to Inishmurray Island.

This is a vast sandy beach with dunes and a lagoon behind with fantastic views over the sea to the mountains of Donegal.This is an exposed beach with reef breaks which create ideal surfing conditions all year round. Located close to the village of Grange with restaurants and pubs and an outdoor play area.

Benbulben is Ireland’s most distinctive mountain and known in some parts as Ireland’s version of Table Mountain. It is the western point of the Dartry Mountains, a large and bulky collection of heads and glaciated valleys. The mountain is formed from Dartry limestone. It was shaped during the ice age, when Ireland was under glaciers. Originally it was a large plateau. Glaciers moving from the northeast to southwest shaped it into its present distinct formation.

The Gartarowey Forest Recreation Area is located to the north of Sligo Town in Ireland. It is under the management of Coiltte Outdoors, and covers a forested area of 120 hectares. Containing unique species of conifers and broadleaves, amongst other exotic flora and fauna, the area is under conservation. The park lies adjacent to the Benbulben, Gleniff and Glenade Special Area of Conservation and is known as the only area in Ireland where chickweed willowherb and alpine saxifrage can be found.

The Gleniff horseshoe is a nice 10km loop along quiet roads with spectacular views and dramatic and wild Dartry Mountains. The walk also provides dramatic views of the Donegal Bay and the Ulster County beyond. The drive takes around 30 minutes and it’s a fine way to spend a rainy afternoon, while the walk stretches for around 2.5 hours and treats you to some glorious Sligo scenery.

Tievebaun Mountain is a mountain in County Leitrim, Republic of Ireland. The height of the mountain is 611 metres. The mountain is known for its cliffs. The main summit of the mountain is named "Eagles Rock". The mountain is most notable for its cliffs as well as the pinnacles which are located on the eastern and northern sides. The pinnacle known as Eagles Rock is actually the mountain's main summit.

Ballygilgan is a national nature reserve of approximately 73 acres the Maugherow Peninsula in County Sligo, Ireland. It is home to Ireland’s biggest mainland flock of barnacle geese. The Reserve is west of the village of Carney on the shore of Drumcliff Bay, Special Area of Conservation, between the road and Lissadell Strand.

Truskmore Mountain is the highest point in County Sligo and County Leitrim, which is part of the Dartry Mountains. The edges of this plateau are marked by high cliffs, including Ben Bulbin , Benwiskin , Slievemore and Kings Mountain. A good trekking destination and also it offers beautiful views from here.

Lissadell is famous as the childhood home of Constance Markievicz, her sister Eva Gore-Booth and her brother Josslyn Gore-Booth. The house was built between 1830 and 1835, and inhabited from 1833 onwards, for Sir Robert Gore-Booth, 4th Baronet by London architect Francis Goodwin. In 1876, Sir Robert left the house and surrounding estate to his son, Sir Henry Gore-Booth, 5th Baronet.

This beautiful south-facing beach is very popular with locals and tourists alike. The area is well known for walking, swimming, surfing and other watersports and in winter Bird Watching. There is also a little river which runs along the beach and makes a fantastic playground for kids.

Inishmurray Island has been uninhabited since the 1940's wth the last occupants vacating in 1948. Located in Donegal Bay 7km off the coast of Sligo. There are remains of an early Irish monastic settlement. Laisrén Mac Decláin reputedly founded a monastery here in the 6th century. The island's ecclesiastical settlement was attacked in 795 and again in 807 by the Vikings, and eventually the monks abandoned the island.

A beautiful freshweater lake located in the northwest of Ireland. It covers an area of 1.15 square kilometres and lies mostly in County Leitrim with a smaller part in County Sligo. Glencar Waterfall is located near the lake's north shore on the Leitrim side.

The 15m-high Glencar Waterfall is situated near Glencar Lake, 11km west of Manorhamilton, County Leitrim. It creates a truly magical atmosphere. A short, picturesque wooded walk offers varied viewing platforms to enjoy the waterfall. The facilities on site include a car park, picnic area, public toilets, playground, tea room and Tourist Information Point.

Glencar Lough locally known as Glencar Lake, is a freshwater lake in the northwest of Ireland. It covers an area of 1.15 square kilometres and lies mostly in County Leitrim with a smaller part in County Sligo. Glencar Waterfall is located near the lake's north shore on the Leitrim side. Glencar Lough is primarily fed by Glencar Waterfall, on the lake's northern shore, and by the Diffreen River, entering at the lake's eastern end.

Yellow strand is at the Raghly peninsula. It is a long sandy beach which is always, even on a hot summer's day, very quiet. This beach doesn't have any lifeguards and it is dangerous for swimming. A popular location for a small picnic and also there are so many things to see and do here.

Waterworld Bundoran is Ireland's Premiere Indoor Aqua Adventure Playground. With over 1.5 million visitors since it first opened in 1991 the complex continues to attract families from all parts of the country who come to experience over 15 water features under one roof where family fun is guaranteed.

Coney Island is the largest and the most famous of the three islands off the northern coast of the Coolera peninsula. It is an island of approximately 400 acres and is named after the vast quantity of rabbits which can be spotted on the island at any time. The island which is 1½ miles long by ¾ mile across is accessible by boat from the pier at Rosses Point, but the most popular route is by way of Cummeen Strand when the tide is out.