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A beautiful golden sand beach and stunning sunsets are what Enniscrone in Sligo is known for. It’s no surprise that this coastal town on the Wild Atlantic Way is a popular summer resort destination.
The incredible 5km stretch of beach, lively atmosphere with great restaurants and pubs and plenty of things to do in the surrounding area, make it the perfect place to head for a weekend away in Sligo.
In the guide below, you’ll discover everything from things to do in Enniscrone in Sligo to where to eat, sleep and drink.
Some quick need-to-knows about Enniscrone in Sligo
Although a visit to Enniscrone in Sligo is nice and straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
Enniscrone sits on the eastern side of Killala Bay on the north west coast of Ireland. Located on the Wild Atlantic Way, it’s just 45-minutes’ drive west of Sligo town.
2. A lively little town
Enniscrone is a lively place, attracting a range of visitors from surfers to families and everyone in between. The town has a great atmosphere, with great pubs and restaurants and plenty of fun things to do in and around the area. It’s especially buzzing in summer and on weekends when you can find everyone heading for the beach.
3. A fine base for exploring
While the beach in Enniscrone is obviously the star attraction, there are plenty of things to do around the town which make it a good base from which to explore the coast. Within an hour’s drive, you can reach Belleek Woods and Castle, Moyne Abbey, Downpatrick Head and Strandhill, plus much more.
Enniscrone is known for its 5km stretch of golden sand running along the coast. In fact, the name, Enniscrone is thought to derive from the Irish meaning “the island on the sandbank in the river”.
From the late 19th century and early 20th century, a number of bathhouses were built on the coast which marked the emergence of the place as a popular seaside resort. You can still visit one of these original bathhouses offering relaxing seaweed baths today.
The small town only has a population of just over 1,000, although in summer this swells with all the visitors looking to spend time at Enniscrone Beach and in the lively pubs and restaurants in town.
The coast in Enniscrone is made up of active sand dunes and long coastal grass, which is fragile to environmental damage. However, the beach still maintains a Blue Flag status with dune restoration works done throughout the year.
Things to do in Enniscrone in Sligo
As you’ll discover in our guide to the best things to do in Enniscrone, there are a handful of things to do in the town and an endless number of things to do neaby.
Below, you’ll find everything from hikes and walks to the brilliant Enniscrone Beach and some indoor attractions to pitch and putt and lots more.
Everyone wants to hit the beach in Enniscrone! The long 5km stretch of golden sand is what attracts the crowds in summer, but there’s plenty of sand for everyone to enjoy. A section of the beach is lifeguarded in the warmer months too, so you can enjoy surfing and swimming in a safe environment.
However, surfing is a popular activity throughout the year, with Enniscrone known as one of the best places for beginners. Whether you head down for a ramble in the morning or give surfing a crack, the beach is definitely a highlight.
2. Enniscrone Pitch and Putt
Photo by Jacob Lund (Shutterstock)
One of the best family-friendly things to do in Enniscrone is to head to the Pitch and Putt. Located on the main street in town, it’s known as one of the oldest and best courses in Ireland.
They’re open every day of the week, so you’ll be able to enjoy a round at any time. You don’t have to worry about any gear either, as they provide golf clubs, balls, tees and marker cards for your game.
Photo by Hristo Anestev on Shutterstock
Enniscrone has a reputation for being one of the best surfing spots on the west coast. The consistent but relatively gentle waves at the beach make it perfect for beginners and intermediate surfers.
There are a couple of surf schools in town as well, which can help with lessons and board and wetsuit hire. Whether you’re looking to stand up for the first time or hone your skills, Enniscrone beach is an ideal place hit the waves.
4. Loads more to see and do
Photo by Mark Fearon (Shutterstock)
If you’re staying in Enniscrone for some time, there’s loads more to see and do in and around town. And you’ll find some of the best things to do in Sligo a short spin away.
From heading to the old bathhouse or taking the kids to Waterpoint Aqua Park, you can easily spend an entire weekend in Enniscrone. You can find more things to do in Enniscrone and the surrounding area in our guide here.
Photo via the Diamond Coast Hotel
Although we go into where to stay in more detail in our guide to the best hotels in Enniscrone, I’ll give you a taste of what’s on offer below.
Note: if you book a hotel through one of the links below we may make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.
1. Diamond Coast Hotel
As one of the best places to stay in Enniscrone, this hotel is perfectly located so you can enjoy the highlights of the area. Diamond Coast Hotel overlooks the championship golf course and is just within a short walk from the beach.
The stylish hotel has 98 rooms, ranging from singles up to large family rooms. It’s also home to the Coral Restaurant and Stir Bar, so you can enjoy a nice meal and a drink without wandering too far from your room.
Check prices + see more photos here
2. Fortview Bed and Brekafast
For something a little different, this bed and breakfast is located on a working farm just outside of town. It’s the perfect place for a couple’s weekend away, with comfortable double rooms and en-suite bathrooms. They also include a delicious breakfast made with locally sourced products to beging your day.
The property is just a 7 minutes’ drive from the golf course and 3-minute drive to the beach, so you can still enjoy Enniscrone’s highlights easily enough.
Check prices + see more photos here
If you’re looking for convenient location, then Eagle Heights B&B is ideal. It’s a few minutes’ walk to the beach and less than a kilometre into town, so you can easily walk just about everywhere you need to go.
The large house has eight en-suite rooms ranging from single up to family options. They all have TVs, a kettle, complimentary toiletries and Wi-Fi and a common lounge for everyone to enjoy. You’ll also get a delicious breakfast with plenty of options on the spread.
Check prices + see more photos here
Photos via Áit Eile Restaurant on Instagram
Although we’ve covered the best restaurants in Enniscrone a lot in the past, I’ll give you a taste (terrible pub intended…) of what to expect if you’re visiting the town.
1. The Ocean Bar
For the best ocean views, this bar and restaurant inside the Ocean Sands Hotel is unbeatable. Looking straight out over Enniscrone Beach, you won’t be able to find a better view to go with your meal.
They serve great food too, from fresh seafood to curry, they have a variety of things on the menu to suit everyone. They’re open for lunch and dinner every day to all, guest and non-guests alike.
2. Spicy Affair Indian Restaurant
For something different than your usual pub grub, Spicy Affair delivers incredibly delicious Indian food. With a range of curries and other South Asian cuisine to choose from, the staff are committed to high quality and authentic flavours.
Located just off the main street, you’ll be able to find something to suit everyone here, with some non-spicy and mild options too. Whether you dine in or take away, it’s some of the best Indian food you’ll find anywhere.
3. Pizzeria La Piazzetta
If you’re craving some pizza, then the obvious choice is to head to this pizzeria, and you won’t be disappointed. Some reviews even claim it’s the best pizza they’ve had in Ireland!
Located in the middle of town on main street, they have a range of gourmet pizzas, as well as other Italian favourites like risotto and pasta. You can also find a nice wine list to go with your meal, so it’s perfect for those date nights or relaxing post-beach evenings.
There’s are some brilliant pubs in Enniscrone, many of which could go toe-to-toe with some of the better-known pubs in Sligo. Here are our favourites.
1. Gilroy’s Bar and Ait Eile Restaurant
The town’s iconic pub, Gilroy’s is one of the best places to head for a pint in Enniscrone. The classic Irish pub is located on the main street in town and is buzzing almost every night of the week.
Their award-winning restaurant also whips up some top meals, with locally sourced produce and fresh seafood on the menu. From their popular seafood linguine to traditional roast duck, you won’t be disappointed by the food.
This old school pub is an underrated gem in Enniscrone. It has a cosy wood fire, very traditional pub vibe and no distracting TV, making it the perfect place to head for a chat with your mates.
They pour a great pint of Guinness and are known for the friendly bar staff. It’s often busy on weekends in the small space but the atmosphere is unbeatable for a post-surf drink.
3. The Pilot Bar
This trendy gastropub on main street is another local favourite for a drink and a meal. From popular pub grub to gourmet pizza, they have a reputation for high quality food all served by friendly and welcoming staff.
Most people agree that their Guinness is also superb, so if you’re looking for a post-surf pint then this is the perfect place to sit by the fire and chat with your mates.
Described as one of the friendliest pubs in Enniscrone, McNulty’s is known for its great service. Located on main street, it’s a convenient pub to go for a drink and a meal in town whether you’re with some friends or your partner.
They occasionally feature live music and even have outdoor seating for those warm summer evenings, so it’s an easy pick for a weekend night.
FAQs about visiting Enniscrone in Sligo
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from what to do in the town and where to eat to what to see nearby.
In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.
Is Enniscrone worth visiting?
While Enniscrone is well worth visiting, it’s biggest draw is that it makes sure a great base for exploring part of Mayo and Sligo.
What are the best things to do in Enniscrone?
You can ramble along the beach, take surfing lessons, see the old seaweed baths, give pitch and putt a crack and head off on a short spin to one of many nearby attractions
Are there many places to eat in Enniscrone?
Yes – there’s plenty of cafes, pubs and restaurants in Enniscrone in Sligo, from Pizzeria La Piazzetta and Spicy Affair to the Ocean Bar and more.
Elisha is a freelance writer, content creator and blogger and her work can be read in Lonely Planet, Remote Lands and Matador Network. You’ll usually find her travelling in offbeat places or hiking wherever there are mountains; always with a camera in hand.
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