Mullaghmore

Mullaghmore is a picturesque seaside resort in North Co Sligo, and it is hugely popular with locals and tourists alike. It has a charming 19th century harbour in the centre of the village, from which sailing boats come and go at the strangest times of the day and night. But whatever the hour, it is a charming scene, and a delight to watch as you sit and relax over a drink or cup of coffee. Close to the village is a sheltered bay with a long sandy beach from which there are wonderful ocean and mountain views. Mullaghmore village has a generous selection of pubs, hotels and shops, to meet even your best expectations. And then there are activities, and Mullaghmore has many of them, ranging from coastal walks, to surfing, kitesurfing, sea-angling, and bathing. From the harbour you can also take a fishing trip or, if the weather is right, motor out to the island of Inishmurray. This is a one hour journey, but needs good weather to facilitate landing on the island. St. Molaise built a monastic settlement on Inishmurray in the 6th century, and it was inhabited from thereafter until the 1940s. The restored remains of the original beehive cells can still be seen there, also the derelict 19th century houses. A natural lake in the centre of the island has become a sanctuary for sea birds.

Close to Mullaghmore lies the fairy-tale castle of Classiebawn. It was built in the 19th century by Lord Palmerston, but more recently belonged to Lord Mountbatten. He visited the castle most summers with members of his family. In 1979 Lord Mountbatten’s boat was blown up by the IRA just off the coast, tragically killing all on board. The highlight of the summer in Mullaghmore is the “All Ireland Donkey Derby”. Donkeys are brought from all over Ireland to compete ,and the event raises money for charity. In addition to the donkey racing, there are children’s entertainments, craft stalls, live music, cowboy riding displays, and a contest to appoint a Queen of Mullaghmore.        

A basic bus service operates locally in Mullaghmore, and serves local villages and towns such as Bunduff, Wardhouse, Creevykeel, Tawley, Clifforney and Ballincastle. Ferry services are available to the island of Inishmurray situated off the north west coast of Ireland. Mullaghmore is a small fishing village on the north west coast of the Republic of Ireland. The village is a popular tourist destinations, with many beach and water sports to offer including swimming, windsurfing, sailing, kayaking and canoeing. The village is well known for being a base point for licensed angling and passenger charter boats used for angling and trips to Inishmurray island. There are only two hotels located in Mullaghmore offering charming accommodation with views into the Atlantic ocean and County Sligo countryside vistas.

Mullaghmore is located between Cliffoney and Grange, it is a small fishing village. A popular holiday centre, facilities include superb blue flag sandy beach stretching as far as the eye can see (3km), which is safe for swimming, windsurfing and water sports, with sheltered anchorage for small and medium craft at the harbour. It is renowned for being a base for licensed angling/passenger boats for charter, sea angling and trips to Inishmurray Island. Blue and Green Flag Beach Awards take place each year in early June.

How to get to Mullaghmore

By bus and car. A bus service from Sligo to Mullaghmore is available during the summer season. Alternatively take the N15 north from Sligo, and the R279 onwards to Mullaghmore.

Where to stay in Mullaghmore

Mullaghmore has fine selection of places to stay including self-catering holiday homes, guesthouses and B&B's.

Book Mullaghmore Accommodation

Explore more

Mullaghmore is surrounded by beautiful coastal towns. Don't miss Bundoran and Ballyshannon if you are travelling north, and Raghly Harbour and Rosses Point if travelling south.

Things to do in Mullaghmore

1. Spend a day on Inishmurray Island. Choose a day when the seas are calm and the sun shining. On the island there is lots to see including beehive huts, a rare treat. seals, puffins, guillemoths and fulmar, Enjoy.
2. Classiebawn Castle which overlooks the charming resort of Mullaghmore, was built by Lord Mount Temple in 1874. The estate descended to the Mountbattens through the wife of the seventh Earl of Shaftesbury, a step-daughter of the Prime Minister Lord Viscount Palmerston, who resided in the castle and who also built Mullaghmore harbour back in the mid-nineteenth century.
3. The castle is now privately owned and not open to the public, but is nonetheless very photogenic.