Co. Sligo is a little bit off the beaten track, but that's just the way we like it.

5,000 years ago, this used to be the most populated corner of Ireland and you can barely walk a few 100 metres without stumbling across some type of megalithic monument - from dolmens to giants' graves, from passage tombs to barrows and raths, the county is dotted with them. Carrowmore and Carrowkeel Tombs are impressive. And the Warrior Queen Maeve's tomb on top of Knocknarea is well worth the climb. On a clear day you can see for miles. There is plenty of more recent history to explore too, only a few centuries old ... such as Easkey Castle, Parkes Castle and Sligo Abbey.

Sligo has a string of deserted beaches snaking along the Atlantic. A major sufing destination, beginners can cut their teeth at Strandhill, Aughris or Dunmoran. Easkey is world renowned for its quality reef breaks and for the big boys and girls, take on the mighty power of the towering waves at Mullaghmore. If that all sounds too stressful, why not take a stroll on Enniscrone Beach and relax in a Victorian seaweed bath afterwards. Overlooking the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, our sunsets are hard to beat.

Co. Sligo is intrinsically linked to the Irish poet William Butler Yeats. You can visit the landscapes that inspired him, such as the Ilse of Inishfree on Lough Gill, as well as visit the Yeats Memorial Building in Sligo Town and his grave at Drumcliffe.

There are loads of outdoor activites to try out, from hill walking and horseriding to kite surfing and kayaking. There are two live performance spaces in the town, great music venues and dozens of great eateries and pubs. There is a rich heritage of traditional music here and every village has at least one trad session night per week. With a number of micro-breweries popping up in the region, you can sample some of the local craft beers and spirits while enjoying the craic.

Getting Here
At Mud and Wood, we like to encourage the use of public transport. See all of your options below.

The Mud and Wood Public Transport Guarantee
Sometimes the local connections don't always work out. If that is the case, we will come and collect you from Sligo or Ballina bus or train station. As far as possible, we organise car pools among the course participants to ferry you between your accommodation and workshop. If that is not possible, we will give you a lift ourselves. You must be staying at accommodation within a 12km radius of Mud and Wood to avail of this service. We also have some bikes to lend out, if you fancy that option.

Where We Are

Our house is located in Co. Sligo in the northwest of Ireland. We are approximately 27km (17 miles) from Sligo Town and 30km (19 miles) from Ballina, just off the N59.

Once you have booked on a course, we will send you exact directions.

By Train

For train services from Dublin click on www.irishrail.ie

Dublin, Connolly Station to Sligo        8 trains daily

Dublin, Heuston Station to Ballina     4 trains daily

By Bus

For bus services nationwide click on www.buseireann.ie

For bus services in Northern Ireland click on www.translink.co.uk.

Bus No. 458    Enniskillen-Sligo-Enniscrone-Ballina

The No. 458 passes within 300m of our house.

Treacey’s Coaches
Treacey’s operate a regular service between Sligo and Ballina.
Phone ++ 353 (0)96 22563 for up-to-date timetables.

Treacey's Coaches pass within 300m of our house.

By Air

The plane service between Sligo Airport and Dublin no longer operates.

For international flights into Dublin Airport check www.dublinairport.com

For flights into Ireland West (Knock) Airport check ww.irelandwestairport.com

Bus Eireann Bus No. 76 links Ireland West (Knock) Airport to Sligo.

Staying Here

Click on the accommodation you are interested in & you will link directly to their website or their contact details.

Camping

The Beach Bar, Aughris, Templeboy
There is a small camping ground facing on to the beach in front of the picturesque thatched Beach Bar. Although it is not listed on the Beach Bar website, call Darren or Róisín on + (353) (0) 71 9176465 to arrange a pitch for your tent. It is located approximately 4 miles (6km) from our house.

Let them know that you are on a Mud and Wood Course and you will get a special rate of €5 per night.

For longer courses (5-Day and 10-Day) we set up a social tent at the campsite to give our camping pariticpants a place to hang out together. If you are travelling some distance to get to us, we have some spare tents, sleeping bags, etc. that we can lend to particpants when arranged in advance.

Self-Catering

The Water’s Edge, Aughris, Templeboy
4-Star 3-Bedroom
The house is located beside the thatched Beach Bar, on a picturesque bay overlooking the Sligo and Donegal mountains. It is approximately 4 miles (6km)  from our house.

 Greenfort Cottage, Templeboy
3-Star 3-Bedroom
This house is located approximately 3 miles (5km) from our house with its own path leading on to Trawee Beach. During the caravan years, Colin and Féile regularly put up family in this cottage.

Brionglóid, Skreen
2-Bedroom
This well-appointed house is located approximately 2 miles (3km) from us.

Higgin’s Lodge, Templeboy
4-Star 4-Bedroom
The house is located approximately 2 miles (3km) from our house.

 Nature’s Rest, Templeboy
4-Star 5-Bedroom
The house is located approximately 2 miles (3km) from our house.

 The Beach House, Templeboy
4-Star 4-Bedroom
This house is located approximately 3 miles (5km) from our house.

 The Beach House, Templeboy
4-Star 1-Bedroom
This house is located approximately 3 miles (5km) from our house.

Local Eateries
The Beach Bar, Restaurant and Pub, Aughris, Templeboy
Pudding Row, Café, Easkey

Please check with their websites to confirm opening hours.

Bed and Breakfast Accommodation

Aughris House, Templeboy
Situated beside the picturesque Aughris Pier and beach and next door to the thatched Beach Bar, Aughris House is located approximately 4 miles (6km) from our house. Facing a sheltered bay with dramatic views of the Sligo and Donegal mountains, at low tide the unspoiled beach is extensive.

Please note that as this B&B is beside the pub, some nights can be noisy. If you need guaranteed peace and quiet to sleep, this may not be the B&B for you.

Ave Maria Farmhouse, Templeboy
The Ave Maria is situated on a working farm, approximately 3 miles (4.5km) from our house.   It is a 10 – 15 minute walk to the Beach Bar.  About half way between the Ave Maria and Aughris House is Aughris Head – a stunning cliff walk that takes in a holy well and a sea-bird colony.

Easkey Accommodation

Although the village of Easkey is 10 miles (16km) away, it is a good option for accommodation. There are interesting walks along the seafront with its dramatic slab rocks full of fossils. This is host to two of the best and most consistent world-class waves for surfing in Ireland. There is also the 10th Century castle to see, originally built by Scottish mercenaries. Climb up to the top if you dare (and if you can find the hidden stairs)! It is widely believed to be haunted, with our very own Colin having seen a ghost emerging from its wrought-iron gated-entrance.   Rosemary McGowan’s Pottery Studios are located in the centre of the village, along with the award-winning café Pudding Row and a number of pubs.

Ocean Sound B & B, Easkey
As the name suggests, Ocean Sound is situated only a few 100 metres from the sea and from Easkey Castle, the 10th Century stone fortress originally occupied by Scottish mercenaries. 

Atlantic ‘n’ Riverside B & B, Easkey
Atlantic ‘n’ Riverside is located just up from the banks of the Easkey River. It is bright and comfortable with views of the sea, the river and the castle.

The Old Police Station Self-Catering, Easkey
This apartment has 1 bedroom and sleeps up to 4 people.

Accommodation Further Afield

Moy River B&B
If you want to travel further afield, Moy River B&B is tucked away at the foot of the Ox Mountains close to the source of the Moy River. It is 23km from our house, about half an hour's drive on winding country lanes.