15 Of The Best Things To Do In Enniscrone (And Nearby) In 2024

There are plenty of things to do in Enniscrone, regardless of what time of the year you visit.

Enniscrone is one of the most popular seaside resorts in Sligo (along with Rosses Point, Strandhill and Mullaghmore).

With 5km of golden sand and known for incredible sunsets, it’s no surprise that this pretty town on the coast of County Sligo is a summer favourite. 

In the guide below, you’ll discover lots of things to do in Enniscrone along with heaps of places to explore nearby. 

Our favourite things to do in Enniscrone

The first section of our guide tackles our favourite things to do in Enniscrone, from food and beaches to some of the most popular places to visit in Sligo.

The second section of the guide tackles things to do near Enniscrone (within a reasonable driving distance, that is!)

1. Grab something tasty from Tracey’s 

If you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, you’ve got to grab something at Tracy’s Café and Surf Shop. You can’t miss this place, with its bright green exterior on the corner in main street Enniscrone.

Inside, you’ll find an all day breakfast menu, light lunch, juices and smoothies, great coffee and homemade cakes. Open from 9.30am until 5pm, 7 days of the week, it’s always bustling with people. 

While you’re waiting for your coffee, you can also browse through their surf shop selling clothes, wetsuits, bodyboards, fishing accessories and surfboards. 

2. Then head for a ramble on Enniscrone Beach

Welcome to Enniscrone Beach. It’s this long 5km stretch of golden sand is what makes Enniscrone one of the best summer destinations in Sligo.

The wide beach is backed by active dunes with plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the sand. However, heading down for a stroll along the beach is best in the morning or evening to enjoy it at its quietest. 

A section of the beach is lifeguarded in the summer months so you can enjoy surfing or swimming in a safe environment. This is one of the best beaches in Sligo for a reason!

3. Or give surfing a crack

Enniscrone beach is a great spot for beginner and intermediate surfers to have a crack. There are two well-known surf schools which operate in the summer months to help you catch your first wave or simply improve your skills. 

Both North West Surf School and 7th Wave Surf School have qualified instructors to help all ages and levels. They also offer board and wetsuit hire, so even if you’re a complete novice, Enniscrone is the perfect place to try out this addictive sport. 

If you’re looking for things to do in Enniscrone with a group of friends, it’s hard to bate a day spent surfing.

4. And then warm up in a seaweed bath

For those in search of the more unique things to do in Enniscrone, a seaweed bath is the perfect place to warm up and wind down. The seaweed baths were established here in 1912, and, as you might have guessed, involves bathing in hot sea water and seaweed. 

Now why it might seem a bit odd, the high concentration of vitamins and iodine found in seaweed helps rejuvenate and relax the body. The bath house is located on Cliff Road, just south of the pier, if you want to book in a session.

5. Followed up with food and a pint at Gilroy’s Bar and Ait Eile Restaurant

After a day spent on the beach, the best place to head for a meal and a pint is Gilroy’s Bar and Ait Eile – one of our favourite restaurants in Enniscrone.

This classic traditional Irish pub and award-winning restaurant is one of the town’s culinary icons. Located on main street, the atmosphere and quality of the food here is outstanding.

Grab a pint at the bar and then head to the restaurant for locally sourced produce. The menu is ever-changing, but their staples include seafood linguine, roast duck breast and crispy fresh cod. 

Other worthwhile things to do in Enniscrone

Now that we have our favourite things to do in Enniscrone out of the way, it’s time to see what else this corner of Sligo has to offer.

Below, you’ll find more food, more group actives and a handful of places to visit in Enniscrone with kids.

1. Tantalise your tastebuds at Maple Moose

The Maple Moose is the place to head for something sweet. They have the most incredible home-made ice cream, crepes and waffles, making it the place to go for an afternoon treat.

It’s heaven for ice cream lovers, with plenty of flavours to choose from including Oreo, Custard and Raspberry, Cookies and Strawberry. 

But even if you’re not a sweet tooth, they also serve delicious artisan pizza for those looking for a proper meal. 

Related read: Check out our guide to the best hotels in Enniscrone (with something to suit most budgets)

2. Give stand up paddleboarding a crack

If you want to try another new activity, Enniscrone is perfect to give stand-up paddleboarding or SUP a go. Harbour SUP and Sailing Club at Enniscrone Pier provide equipment hire and lessons for anyone keen to get out in the water.

It’s great for any age, with staff happy to help the whole family successfully get on their feet. Or if you’re already an expert, you can just rent a board from them for a couple of hours.

This is another handy option for those of you on the lookout for things to do in Enniscrone with a group of friends.

3. Spend a lazy afternoon at Enniscrone Pitch and Putt

One of the best family activities in Enniscrone is to head to Pitch and Putt on the main street. It’s one of the oldest courses in Ireland, welcoming visitors for generations.

They’re open every day of the week until dark, so you can easily spend hours having a swing. They provide everything including golf clubs, balls, tees and marker cards, so all you need to do is turn up and play.

4. Or a wet one at Waterpoint Aqua Park

If the weather’s not great for the beach outside, you might want to head to Waterpoint Aqua Park instead. Located on Pier Road, this water park and sports centre is loads of fun for the whole family.

They have a main pool, kids pool, 65 metre slide, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi. Whether you want to relax in the health suite or get active in the pool, it’s the perfect place for those wet weather days outdoors. 

This is a handy option for those of you looking for things to do in Enniscrone with kids (especially on those dreaded rainy days!).

Things to do near Enniscrone

One of the beauties of Enniscrone is that it’s a short spin away from some of the best things to do in Mayo, in particular.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Enniscrone (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).

1. Belleek Woods

Just a short drive to the south of Enniscrone, Belleek Woods is one of the largest urban forests in Europe. The quiet woodland stretches for 6 miles near Ballina, County Mayo with plenty of options for visitors to do.

You can walk, run or cycle on any of the trails, while checking out some of the historical features of the place and unique flora and fauna.

This is one of our favourite things to do near Enniscrone for good reason – the woods are home to beautiful flowers and wildlife including foxes, hares, red squirrels, ducks and robins. 

2. Belleek Castle

Tucked inside the Belleek Woods is Belleek Castle – the beautiful ancestral home of the Earl of Arran. This historical castle is stunning with rich décor and antiquities including arms and armour and fossils.

The castle is a popular backdrop for events and weddings, and is also home to Jack Fenn’s Café and Bistro. This award-winning restaurant is situated in the original courtyard and serves up some of the highest quality and locally sourced produce.

Whether you stop in for lunch or just a coffee, it’s an unforgettable culinary experience just 20 minutes away from Enniscrone. There’s plenty of things to do in Ballina when you’re finished.

3. Moyne Abbey

Just a 30-minute drive away form Enniscrone, Moyne Abbey is one of the most important ecclesiastical ruins in Ireland. The abbey was founded in 1460 and was one of the main houses of study for young Franciscans. 

While now in ruin, the late gothic foundation is still in relatively good condition including a square tower, chapel, and 16th century graffiti. While it’s not an easy place to find with limited signage, it’s an incredible place to visit and is worth the drive just off the R314 north of Ballina. 

4. Downpatrick Head

A further 20 minutes north from Moyne Abbey, a drive to Downpatrick Head is spectacular and worth your time. The peninsula offers incredible views across to massive sea stacks and islands out in the ocean. 

It’s also the site of a former church founded by St Patrick and you’ll find a holy well and stone cross. You might even be able to spot some unique sea birds around the area, including puffins, kittiwakes and cormorants. 

5. And then soak up some history at the Ceide Fields

Further along the coast, you can soak up the history at the Ceide Fields. A visit here should tickle the fancy of history lovers looking for things to do near Enniscrone.

The bogland reserve is marked by Stone Age dwellings, walls and tombs. It’s remarkably known as the oldest known stone-walled fields in the world dating back 6000 years. 

You can explore the incredible area overlooking the coastline and visit the Visitors Centre nearby which details the history of the site. 

6. Strandhill 

In the other direction, Strandhill is a popular seaside town just west of Sligo town. It’s well-known for its beach which is a great surfing spot on the coast for beginners and more intermediate surfers.

There’s plenty of things to do in Strandhill, from the Knocknarea walk and Coney Island to Strandhill Beach and more.

Places to visit in Enniscrone: What have we missed?

I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant places to visit in Enniscrone in the guide above.

If you have a place that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below and I’ll check it out!

FAQs about what to do in Enniscrone

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from what are the best things to do near Enniscrone to what to do in the town itself.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

What are the best things to do in Enniscrone?

Head for a ramble on Enniscrone Beach. Or give surfing a crack. And then warm up in a seaweed bath. Spend a lazy afternoon at the Pitch and Putt. Or a wet one at Waterpoint Aqua Park.

What are the best things to do near Enniscrone?

One of the beauties of Enniscrone is that it’s a short spin away from many of Mayo’s top attractions, like Downpatrick Head, the Ceide Fields and Moyne Abbey.

Is Enniscrone worth visiting?

Yes. Enniscrone is a lovely little seaside town that’s a lot quieter than the likes of Strandhill. It’s a fine base to explore both Sligo and North Mayo from.