Gleniff Horseshoe & Mullaghmore Head scenic drive

Description

This looped drive starts in Cliffoney village. Starting of, first stop will be the beautiful beach at Cliffoney followed by a scenic trip along the headland of Mullaghmore. After having admired the beautiful Atlantic, follow a route which leaves the coast behind making your way towards the Dartry mountains. The looped drive at Gleniff Horseshoe will bring you stunning scenery, let you discover the old Baryte mines and bring you up and close with Ireland's highest cave.

The route

Start - Cliffoney

The small village of Cliffoney is your starting point. To be more exact, O'Donnell's pub (http://www.odonnellsofcliffoney.com/) is where you follow the signposts towards Mullaghmore along the R279 leaving the busy N15 behind.
O'Donnell's pub is a traditional pub which really stands out with it's black and white murial of surfers and horses.
It must be said, the area is very popular with equestrians who love to ride along the beautiful beaches admiring the Wild Atlantic Way.
And off course, Mullaghmore is now world renowned for its big wave surfing.
Driving down the hill away from the village, you get to see already a glimpse of the Wild Atlantic.

Cliffoney beach

After only 2 minutes in the car, you have already reached your first stop. At the bottom of the hill where the road makes a 90 degree turn to the right, you will see a gate to your left and a soccer pitch. Park-up the car and walk through the gate following the road until you reach a small river. Cross the river and walk towards the dunes you see in the distance.

After approx. a 10 minute walk, you will reach one of Sligo's most beautiful beaches. Cliffoney beach is remote and unspoiled and the views are postcard perfect. (Note: This beach is not suitable for swimming due to strong currents)

Classiebawn castle

Classiebawn castle sits perched on the rocks above the Wild Atlantic. Driving along Mullaghmore headland, you are greeted by the magnificent views towards Classiebawn castle with Benbulben standing tall in the background.

On a blustery day, you can admire the waves crashing upon the rocks below, sometimes creating that much foam that it looks like a Frappuccino.

Mullaghmore Head

Leaving Mullaghmore behind, take the coastal loop bringing some of the most stunning views in County Sligo. But that's not all, Mullaghmore Head is world renowned for its big wave surfing. And when the weather gods match up, this part of County Sligo can deliver waves of up to 15 meters.

On a calm day, you can watch the fishing boats bringing the catch of the day. Feeling adventurous, jump into the bishop's pool (https://www.choosesligo.com/wild-swimming-in-sligo.html), a shallow, sheltered natural swimming pool .

Mullaghmore village

The seaside village of Mullaghmore is small, but it is an interesting location to stop and take a break. Take a walk along Mullaghmore beach, take a stroll along the pier and admire the fishing boats or pop into one of the hotels or restaurants for a bite to eat.

If you love seafood, you should definitely try Eithne's by the sea (https://www.eithnasrestaurant.com/) where you can enjoy fresh seafood, shellfish and lobsters lovingly prepared.
Enjoy a drink on one of the many terrasses and admire the beautiful views towards the Dartry mountain range

Creevykeel Court Tomb

Creevykeel is among the finest examples of a full court tomb in Ireland. It dates back to the Neolithic period, 4000 - 2500 B.C..
During the excavation, flint arrow heads, stone axes and other artifacts were discovered.

The cairn is about 50 meters in lenght and the front of the cairn is approx. twenty meters across. The entrance into the court is at the east, and consists of a narrow passage-way lined with upright stones. The court is among the largest of its type in Ireland, measuring 15 m long by 9 m wide. From the court is the entrance to the burial gallery which is divided by upright stones into two chambers and was originally covered by a roof.

Within the court are the remains of kiln which was added in Early Christian times by iron smelters.

Gleniff Mill Site

Leaving the coast behind, drive towards the N15 Sligo to Donegal road. Once you reach the N15, cross it and drive towards Ballintrilick. At the end of this road, turn into the road which is signposted Yeats County Gleniff Horseshoe. The first stop should be at the Gleniff Barytes Mill site. (https://www.choosesligo.com/gleniff-mill-site-looped-walk.html). The site was developed here because there was an abundance of water and on the expectation of opening a workable mine on the slopes of Tievebaun Mountain.