Day 15 Cycling the 32 counties of Ireland - SLIGO
🚴🏾♂️ The Black Paddy Rolls into Sligo: Surf, Stones & Soulful Craic
What’s the story, Sligo?!
It’s your boy Fabu D, aka The Black Paddy, pedaling into the land of lakes and literature with Guinness Zero in my bottle cage and a head full of Yeats quotes I barely understand. I’m cycling across Ireland to raise awareness for Jigsaw, the charity helping young people mind their mental health—and Sligo? You’ve got soul, scenery, and serious surf energy.
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🧠 A Word on Jigsaw
Before we dive into the madness, let’s take a moment. Jigsaw is doing powerful work—giving young people across Ireland a safe space to talk, to be heard, and to get the support they need. Mental health isn’t just a buzzword. It’s real, it’s raw, and it affects all of us.
This cycle isn’t just about the scenery—it’s about showing up for those who feel unseen. If you’re struggling, know this: you’re not alone. There’s help, there’s hope, and there’s healing.
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🏞️ First Impressions: Sligo’s Soulful Swagger
I rolled into Sligo with Benbulben towering over me like Ireland’s answer to Pride Rock. This table-top mountain is so dramatic it should have its own Netflix series. I didn’t climb it (I’m not trying to impress mountain goats), but I did stare at it long enough to feel spiritually upgraded.
Then I hit Glencar Waterfall, where the mist dances and the poetry practically writes itself. Yeats loved this place—and I get it. It’s like nature decided to flex.
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😂 Funny Sligo Facts (Because You Know I Love the Banter)
- Sligo is nicknamed “Land of Heart’s Desire”, thanks to Yeats. I came here with a bike and left with a deeper appreciation for moss.
- The town name comes from Sligeach, meaning “abounding in shells.” I didn’t count them, but I did step on one barefoot. Spiritual.
- WB Yeats is buried in Drumcliff under Benbulben’s shadow. His grave reads “Cast a cold eye on life, on death. Horseman, pass by.” I read it and whispered, “Fair.”
- Sligo has some of the best surfing in Europe. I didn’t surf, but I did watch a lad do a flip and nearly cried.
- The Sligo Way is a 80km walking trail through forests, lakes, and mountains. I cycled part of it and felt like I was in a fantasy novel.
- Queen Maeve’s tomb sits atop Knocknarea. Legend says she’s buried upright, facing her enemies. That’s some serious warrior energy.
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🎶 Music, Myth & Market Vibes
Sligo’s got rhythm in its roots. I stopped in the town centre, where the streets hum with trad tunes and the market smells like fresh bread and rebellion. I joined a session in a pub and tried to keep up on the bodhrán. I was offbeat, but the locals clapped anyway. Legends.
Then I wandered through Strandhill, where the waves crash like they’ve got something to prove and the seaweed baths are basically nature’s spa.
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🗣️ Chatting with Sligo Legends
You know me—I can’t resist a good chat. I met a man named Declan who swears he once saw a fairy ring near Lough Gill. I asked what it looked like. He said, “Like a circle of mushrooms and bad decisions.”
I met a woman who runs a pottery studio and makes mugs shaped like Benbulben. I bought one. It’s now my official tea vessel.
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🚴🏾♂️ Cycling Through Sligo’s Heart
The roads here are coastal, curvy, and full of character. I passed through Rosses Point, Ballisodare, and Tubbercurry, where every bend brought a new view and a new reason to pause. Sligo’s got layers, and I was loving every one.
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🧘🏾♂️ Mental Health Moments: Sligo’s Quiet Power
Sligo doesn’t shout—it whispers. I sat by Lough Gill, sipping my Guinness Zero, watching the water ripple like it was reciting poetry. That’s the kind of peace Jigsaw wants every young person to find.
If you’re struggling, know this: you’re not broken. You’re human. And there’s help.
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🛏️ Sligo Hospitality: A Random B&B with Poetic Warmth
I stayed in a cozy little B&B tucked into the hills. The kind of place where the tea’s strong, the welcome’s stronger, and the host gives you directions with a side of folklore. I asked how to get to Queen Maeve’s tomb and got a full itinerary, a weather forecast, and a story about their cousin who once met Sinéad O’Connor in a chipper.
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💚 Final Thoughts & Shout-Outs
Sligo, you’ve been magic. From mountain myths to waterfall wisdom, you’ve given me laughs, lessons, and a deeper appreciation for Ireland’s poetic soul.
To everyone who waved, cheered, or shouted “Go on ya legend!”—thank you. To the fairy who may or may not have stolen my snack—respect. To the county itself—keep dreaming.
And to Jigsaw, the reason behind every mile: thank you for being the light in someone’s dark. You’re changing lives, one conversation at a time.
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💚 Thanks for coming along on the ride!
If you’d like to support the cause, here’s the link:
👉 https://www.idonate.ie/blackpaddytour
Until next time,
Stay strong, stay smiling, and mind your mental health.
— Fabu D, The Black Paddy
