Sligo: Ireland’s City of Writers and Wave Riders, Sligo, Ireland (B)

The sun gave way to the clouds and a gray dusk settled in as we finally we reached the road that runs along Copes Mountain towards Sligo. The scene is dramatic. The road gives way to steep cliffs and lying in the ravine is Glencar Lough (lake). And somewhere betwixt the clifftop and the water floor is the Glencar Waterfall.

To arrive in Sligo is to quickly descend to sea level. The Atlantic pushes the clouds inward off the coast and floating billows conceal and unveil the landscape in a dance. In Ireland, it seemed never to be completely cloudy nor an empty blue sky.

At the feet of mountain ranges and positioned between Garavogue River and an estuary leading to Sligo Bay, Sligo’s natural beauty lures writers, hikers, and wave riders who surf on Sligo’s coast, some 16-minute drive west of Sligo’s center village.

In Sligo, we checked into The Glasshouse Hotel — a very modern, and as you guessed it, glass hotel built over the Garavogue. There were great views to be had, and though our room didn’t include one, we did enjoy the fun pop art décor. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).