Currently on day two of a three night stay in The Riverside Hotel in Sligo city. Having stayed here a number of times, this is by far the most rewarding yet. Nestled along the Garvogue river it takes just 5 minutes to walk into the town centre.
On arrival Friday night we checked in quickly and with no waiting around, to a large double, en-suite room overlooking the river. Once unpacked a visit downstairs to the hotel bar and a really nice relaxing couple of hours was had. We didn’t eat on this night as we had eaten prior to leaving home.
Saturday saw a lovely breakfast, again looking over the river and then some reading time before a little retail therapy in town. Sligo boasts a number of high street stores but it also has numerous little independent shops too. One of my favourite yesterday was the artistic/craft/jewellery studio The Cat and the Moon. Nestled along Castle Street it saw me visit not once, but twice over the afternoon. I purchased brooches for myself and a friend (the new hallmark of The Two Grannies).
Saturday lunch was had in the tasteful WB’s Coffee House and this was followed by a Saturday afternoon pint of Guinness in the delightful Foley’s Pub: then more reading time was had before dinner in the hotel.
Dinner was delicious and the staff and service excellent. A few glasses of wine was then enjoyed and I even engaged in watching the Darts (not my favourite sport but it kinda sucked me in last night). Again the staff proved very attentive throughout.
But oh the walk I discovered right outside the door this Sunday morning really took my breath away. I’d never discovered this before on my stays here. I set off after 8.30am to stretch the legs before breakfast and found myself walking along the river and then it led me into the natural environment of Doorly Park. There I walked and listened to the chirping of many birds and walked with ducks for a time. The water was simply spectacular and only served to echo the words of WB Yeats, ‘the water mirrors a still sky.’ It just cemented the reasoning as to why Yeats had such a love of this area.
On my return walk through the park to the hotel I was joined by two robins. They flew along and sauntered along the path at times. There was a real feeling of magic to it all. And the delightful breakfast, with fresh roses on the table, just finished off a lovely, reflective Sunday morning.
Strandhill in the sunshine this Sunday lunchtime was perfect for another walk and rounded off with coffee and a yummy bun at Shell’s Cafe.
The weather does of course serve to enhance any stay along the way in our country but even with the rain yesterday the holiday spirit here in lovely Sligo wasn’t dampened.
Sunday is far from over yet, and there’s more still to do here before going back to Inishowen tomorrow and, the working world.
If you’re considering a break to Sligo, check out The Riverside Hotel and all that it has to offer. You won’t be disappointed.
GMcC
North West Culture Gal 