Experiences-original page

There is easy access to all the splendor of this beautiful county from Herdsman’s House.  Experience the holiday (vacation) of a lifetime in our stunning holiday farmhouse perfectly located in Ireland’s magical northwest.  Relax and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding you.  Herdsman’s House has superior views of Sligo Bay, Raghly Harbour and Queen Maeve’s cairn. There is private access to the lands where the Barnacle gees and other migrating birds are plentiful from October to April.  Climbing the nearby fairy fort with us is breathtaking and walking the Raghly loop walk to see the pigeon holes where the sea comes in under the land.

The local beaches include the Golden Strand or Tra-Bhui (pronounced Tra wee) which is a mile long sandy beach and Cummeen Strand which stretches from Lissadell to Raghly.  We have gated access to the Golden Strand through our land.

Many people describe the area as a writers and painters paradise. Follow the trail around Raghly where W.B.Yeats walked for years. Artists and painters have often remarked on the immense natural light in our house and the area.

Desmond has many interesting and funny stories and knows much of the history of the area, including the Irish language stories.    Des will be more than happy to be your personal concierge – providing advice, immersing you in farm activities, and assisting you in whatever you need.

Come to Sligo and set your spirit free. 

Relax: Have a great farm and/or marine based activity holiday with us and just relax and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding you.

Farming Activites: Guests can participate in farming activities which can include: feeding and petting calves, cows and lambs; turning and making hay; bringing in hay; silage harvesting, driving a tractor; watching cattle playing, feeding and resting in the field in front of the house; moving cows and calves to adjacent fields; particpating in hoof repair, sheering sheep, and veterinary/AI visits.  Have you seen a cow calving before? You may be lucky. When the cattle are housed (November to March/April), we provide supervised visits to the sheds where guests can engage in feeding.  This can be YOUR agri-tourism experience or rural farm stay.

Raghly Harbour: Depending on the weather and tides, guests can go on a short boat trip from Raghly Harbour.  Watch us as we pull up our lobster pot, take out the lobster (if lucky), band his/her claws, re- bait in pot, and throw it back into the sea. There is such excitement when there is a lobster for you!!  Guests can also fish for mackerel, pollack and other fish from the boat.  Alternatively, bird watching from the boat is amazing.  The harbour is tidal.  The boat trip is also weather dependent, so we do not go to sea with swells or waves greater that 0.5m or windy or foggy conditions.

Fishing

There are plenty of excellent fishing points on the Raghley peninsula, where you can catch mackerel, pollock, bollin or if you are lucky sea trout. Raghley Harbour is located ¼ mile away. Spoil yourself with some fresh lobster and crab caught by local fishermen (available on request). Or try your hand at getting some razor fish or rock fishing. Crab fishing off the pier provides fun for everyone. In Mullahmore  – http://www.offshore.ie or
http://www.inishmurrayislandtrips.com) or
Rosses’ Point (http://www.sligoboatcharters.com or
http://www.irishanglingcharters.ie ) charter boats are available for the serious fishermen. We can help with any bookings.

Horseriding

If you own your own horse(s), you can have a unique holiday by bringing him/her/them with you. Access to the local beaches (Ardtarmon Strand or The Golden Strand or Tra Bui) can be provided through the owner’s land. Then the horse(s) can graze under your watchful eye. All options considered. Contact us for more information.

Alternatively, Island View offers horseriding for all the family year round (http://islandviewridingstables.com). This family run business is located about 15 minutes away and offers beach rides, trekking, lessons, and carriage riding. Use these links for additional riding stables: http://www.irelandonhorseback.com or
http://www.markreestables.com) in the Sligo area.

Surfing

Go to Lislarry (about 6km) for some of the best waves in the northwest.
Or go further to afield to Bundoran http://www.turfnsurf.ie or http://www.bundoransurfco.com or
Strandhill http://www.strandhillsurfschool.com and experience the thrills of surfing on the big Atlantic waves (both 30 minutes away). Or the Adventure Sligo site http://www.adventuresligo.com) can provide additional links.

Arts & Culture

Maugherow is notorious for its artists from writers, poets, painters, and fairy makers, and many have set up home here. The Model (Niland Gallery), Hamilton Gallery, Yeat’s Society, Hawkswell, Blue Raincoat Theatre, the Factory, and more are within 20 minutes drive.

Walking/Hill Walking

Exploring North Sligo on foot can be a beautiful way to see the county. Various magical walks include: Lissadell House and Woods; Glencar Lake and Waterfall; Streedagh Point and Beach; Glennif Horseshoe at the foot of Ben Bulben to name a few.

Go to http://www.sligotourism.ie and/or
http://www.irishtrails.ie or
http://www.coillteoutdoors.ie for more information on mountain walks, nature trails, coastal walks and more.

Birdwatching

This area is a paradise for birds and waterfowl. Some of our land has been recently designated as special area of conservation. Barnacle Geese visit us every year from mid-October to late April. A walkway (for able and disabled) provides direct access to view the geese. Close by (10 minutes) is the Ballygilgan Nature Reserve (Lissadell) (http://sligobirding.com/Lissadell). And Bird Watch Ireland / Sligo site (http://birdwatchireland.ie or http://sligobirding.com) provide up to date recent sighting of various birds and waterfowl in the Sligo area.

Golf

Ireland is renowned for its golf courses and Rosses’ Point is no exception. The County Sligo Golf Club at Rosses’ Point (http://countysligogolfclub.ie) is ranked in the top 10 links courses in Ireland. The club boasts renowned visitors and champions, Rory McElroy and Tom Watson. Or you can go to Berties Pitch and Putt (http://www.bertiespnp.co.nr) or the Tyeconnell Pitch and Putt course in Bundoran.

Sailing, Boating Kayaking

Within 20 minutes there are 2 sailing clubs (http://mullaghmoresailingclub.org or http://sligoyachtclub.ie) offering beginners and experienced sailing courses for juniors and adults. Or if you have your own boat (sail boat, rib, canoe, etc) bring it along and we will help you launch it from the recently renovated Raghley pier. You can explore and relax in tranquility of Drumcliffe Bay. The boat can be stored in our sheds. Another popular activity is kayaking or canoeing (http://www.adventuresligo.com/water/kayaking).

Birdwatching

This area is a paradise for birds and waterfowl. Some of our land has been recently designated as special area of conservation. Barnacle Geese visit us every year from mid-October to late April. A walkway (for able and disabled) provides direct access to view the geese. Close by (10 minutes) is the Ballygilgan Nature Reserve (Lissadell) (http://sligobirding.com/Lissadell). And Bird Watch Ireland / Sligo site (http://birdwatchireland.ie or http://sligobirding.com) provide up to date recent sighting of various birds and waterfowl in the Sligo area.

Click on the plus sign(+) to the left of the activity to get more information.