Sligo: Strandhill Beach

Today was another interesting day in the course of Tourism with Event

Management. One of the interesting modules done at the course in IT Sligo is Adventure Tourism, which not only looks at the theory and trends in Adventure Tourism in Ireland as a niche market but gives us an experience of adventure

tourism and shows us what its like for businesses and tourists in the growing

adventure meccas of Ireland, Sligo, which is becoming the Adventure Capital of Ireland and North West Europe.Today's class was not short of adventure. 
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Getting to college was a lovely trek with the sun shining and not a cloud in the sky. A usual morning I thought and we'd be caught in torrential rain. Today was the day we got to venture out to Strandhill Beach, outside of Sligo Town, to

perform a dry run of our teambuilding activity which would be used for real clients on the following Wednesday. It was a group assignment and although it was a project, a light-hearted approach was taken towards the whole task, to make it fun as well as a project requirement.
After the theory class, we all congregated at the entrance to the college, The sun was still out and it was actually warm. Everyone sprawled across the plaza of the main entrance, a guy playing the pan flute which created a lovely rustic vibe throughout the plaza and echoed across the campus. The day that was in it was something spectacular and none of us were prepared for. Commence lobsteration!
We got on the bus and headed towards the famed Strandhill. A place in Sligo I had never been to before but was super excited to check out. 
The bus, after about 20 minutes of a journey, came to a stop in the village of Strandhill. Before the doors of the bus even opened, the scenery from the bus itself was actually stunning. Like breathtakingly so. Then the bus door opened and the smell, it was the smell of childhood nostalgia. The salt in the air from the water brought back lovely memories of going to the beach with my father, mother and sister as a child, which was nice to experience. 
Strandhill itself was a little slice of beachfront bliss. All the little shops, public houses and houses huddled together before reaching the promenade. The promenade was bustling with people in the early afternoon of a day that can only be described as glorious. Families laughing and giggling together, the older people relaxing and gazing upon the water and the surfers itching to get in the water. It was a sight you'd have thought was scripted from a tv show. We hustled our way through the promenade and down onto the beach. Initially coming off the promenade, it gets a bit rocky heading towards the sand, which to some, may add to the adventure.
Walking along the beach was a breath of fresh air. Sunglasses on, soaking in

the sun and feeling the lovely fresh breeze was something I think the whole group enjoyed immensely. We walked along the beach until we took a rather sharp right turn (following the lecturer) into what is known as "Shelley Valley". The sand became a bit more loose and the grass became a main feature until we walked into the valley itself. Sand Dunes galore. I've never seen anything like it. Shells all over the sand made for a pretty unique effect on this, basin like, sand dune valley. The most prominent of sand dunes was a super tall sand dune that was beckoning us all to go and roll down it. But we resisted temptation. Barely. The afternoon was spent looking, participating in and helping the class run and improve their teambuilding activity while we enjoyed the beautiful day.
Later on that day, after all activities were done, we headed back along the beautiful beach under a cloudless sky towards the little shops and eateries to go to one of the most famous places in Strandhill. Mama Johnstons. A place that all people who visit Strandhill or live there have spoken about and sung the praises of their delicious ice-cream. So leaving without purchasing the ice-cream would have been a bit rude, right? So of course I divulged! And I must

say, I was not disappointed one bit. It hit the spot on such a warm day and made returning home even harder!
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On a trip to Sligo, Strandhill is definitely a MUST! Amazing food at the Strand Bar, hospitable people and amazing scenery. It's a lovely area for families, backpackers, tourists... It's a lovely area for all! Luckily, a bus runs from Sligo town to Strandhill so access to the main Sligo area is possible! So venture out to Strandhill! Try surfing with the Strand Surfing School along the promenade. Walk along the beach. See the sand dunes. Have a nice meal whilst looking out at the water! An amazing place, not to be passed!
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