PLAN YOUR STAY - Milk Harbour Holidays

We are blessed to be on the sea edge, on the Wild Atlantic Way and overlooked by the Dartry Mountain range, including the iconic Ben Bulben. On this page we have brought together a personalised Google Map populated with categories of things to see and do and because of our geography, all these attractions are easily reached without spending half your holiday in the car!

We have collected and collated all these places based on personal visits and recommendations from our guests. When you visit, and if you find something new and special, please let us know so we can update this guide.

A GUIDE TO USING THE MAP:

The places to eat are shown on the map with restaurant and cafe symbols and are colour coded to make it easy to distinguish between rural activities & attractions and markets and water activities!

— Click this symbol to open the map and view the index:

— Click on an individual line and you’ll see more information about that place:

MILK HARBOUR’S “PLAN YOUR STAY” MAP:

Adventures in the Great Outdoors

The boat shed provides secure storage if you want to bring your own kayak or cycles, Alternatively we can put you in touch with local tutors and hire companies including kayaking (www.sligokayaktours.com ) and Stand Up Paddle (www.sligobaysup.ie ) and Wild Atlantic Wheels (contact e.jarlath@ecotravel.ie).

If the tide and weather is right, kayakers might be able to set off from the slipway, to explore the sheltered tidal Grange River channel. The channel provides miles of pleasant waters, teeming with wildlife and there is a seal colony only 400 metres away. Kayaking in the channel gives access to the dunes and glorious sandy two mile long beach at Streedagh – where a number of ships from the Spanish Armada were sunk.

Map

See the map for details of where the kayakers are located

Traditional Crafts

Renowned worldwide for its traditional crafts, here are just a few locations from which to begin your explorations:
For hand woven unique designs of Donegal tweed, a car trip north via Donegal town and then onwards to St Johns Point will reveal Castle Murray House, St John’s Point. Cindi Graham is a delightful lady and an incredibly skilled weaver. On the same trip you may choose to visit Killybegs, a thriving fishing port – a great day out!
For unique jewellery designs, much of which is inspired by the landscape and flora of Dernish Island – just across the water from Milk Harbour – visit ‘The Cat and The Moon’ in Sligo town to see the work of Martina Hamilton and her team.
If taking a trip down the county, passing near Knocknarea, see the wonderful Breeogue studio and pottery.
There are also regular markets for local produce and arts/crafts. The two most local are the Rathcormac Artisan Food and Craft Market – visit on Saturdays between 10am and 3pm to watch artists at work; and the Strand Hill People’s Market, which hosts an impressive array of bakers, chefs and artists.

Map

See the map for details of where the markets are located.

WB Yeats

Probably the most powerful writer of the 20th century is buried in the nearby Drumcliffe Church. His headstone reads:
Cast a cold Eye
on Life, on Death.
Horseman, pass by.
For more information visit the ‘Visit Ireland’ site here.

Map

on the map, it’s marked as a church

Drumcliffe is also a convenient stopping place between Sligo and Milk Harbour on the main road going north – where a visit to the Drumcliffe Tea House and Craft Shop provides a welcome and tasty stopping point.

Map

It’s marked on the map as a restaurant

Walking & Hill Climbing

There are numerous walks including a beautiful and usually solitary walk from the house along the shore to Cliffony beach. Other beach walks are only a short drive away at Streedagh beach and Mullaghmore, while the Ben Bulben Forest trail is only a 10 minute drive away. If you want to get off the beaten track or go climbing then Carraig Climbing http://www.carraigclimbing.com/ offer guided mountain walks and hikes, climbing and more!

Map

See the map for details of where the walks are located. They will have a walker symbol

Sheep Dogs in Training

The internationally renowned and award-winning owner of Atlantic Sheepdogs, Mr Feeney operates locally. As one of the rarer experiences in life, why not book a visit to see his training in action? This provides a fantastic demonstration of the bond between a shepherd, his dogs and the control of sheep. Advance booking is required.

Map

See the map for details of where the sheep dogs are located. Will have a dog symbol

Culture

There is a rich array of cultural institutions in the area. The most prominent are:

The Model, Sligo’s centre for art and performance
The Hawkswell Theatre
The Blue Raincoat

Map

See the map for details of where the theatres are are located. Will have a theatre mask symbol

Horseriding

We are also blessed with one horse riding stables within a mile of the house providing introductory sessions or longer treks and may be contacted via Island View.

Map

See the map for details of where the stables are are located. Will have a horse symbol

Cyclists

For cyclists two local rides take you north to Mullaghmore Harbour with the stunning coastal ride past Classiebawn Castle or south to Lissadel House, former home of Countess Markievicz and regularly visited by WB Yeats.

Map

See the map for details of where the kayakers are located. Will have a cyclist symbol

Exploring the Wild Atlantic Way

Milk Harbour sits between Westport to the south and Donegal in the north. The Wild Atlantic Way is the connecting artery and allows for much of the region to be explored by car. The best guidebook in publication is called (unsurprisingly) The Wild Atlantic Way Guide, which is available from Amazon and many good bookshops.

Of particular note is reference to Langs Bar in Grange, just two miles south of Milk Harbour, which is recognised to beone of the best traditional bars in Ireland.

The carpentry work was installed by Milk Harbour Holidays proprietor Geraldine’s grandfather.