Aughris Head Loop Walk
The newly redeveloped and extended Aughris Coastal Walk is one of the most spectacular coastal walks on the west coast of Ireland. Located on the Wild Atlantic Way, it offers breath taking scenery and fresh sea air on a waymarked trail which is suitable for all members of the family. The Beach Bar has a fine food and beverage offering, as well as a family-friendly campsite nearby. Upon completion of the walk, take a seat overlooking Dunmoran Strand as the sun sets in the West over distant Knocknarea Mountain.
And as this is a looped walk, consider taking the reverse route next time for a completely different view. We hope it will be equally satisfying and will inspire you to return again to Aughris.
For directions to and details on these and other walks available locally, please visit www.SligoWalks.ie.
Walk Details
This looped trail – 4km in length – starts at the Beach Bar where there is ample parking available. Upon leaving the car park you arrive at a cross roads where you turn right for Aughris Pier. The coastal path veers to the left of the pier. The trail is a mixture of grass and gravel paths, which, for the most part, is fenced on both sides along with minor country roads. Note that there are sections where the path runs along an unfenced coastal grass section, and extra care should be taken here. Allow between 45 mins – 1 hour for the completion of the walk. The walk is fairly flat with just some gentle inclines.
After 3km the path turns away from the coast towards a look out post and deserted village where it meets a minor road. Follow this until you reach a T-junction, turn left, go straight through the next cross roads in the direction of the Beach Bar to complete the walk.
Trail Start: Beach Bar Car Park, Dunmoran Strand, Aughris, Co. Sligo
Irish Grid Coordinates: Longitude: 54.2642 Latitude: -8.7658Trail Finish: Beach Bar Car Park, Dunmoran Strand, Aughris, Co. Sligo Length: 4km
Total Ascent: 20m
Time to Complete: 45 mins-1 hour
Grade: Easy
Format: Looped Coastal Trail
Waymarking: Red
Map Guide: Sligo Walking Guide (available from Sligo Tourist Office) and pocket map
Maps: OSI Discovery Series 25
Minimum Gear: Sturdy walking boots, waterproofs and mobile phone
Services: Nearest bus service Sligo – Ballina route 458 – visit buseireann.ie
Nearest train service Sligo (31km) – visit irishrail.ie
Nearest airport access Ireland West Airport (60km) – visit irelandwestairport.com
Highlights along the way
The coastal section of walk overlooking a small beach known Pollaree traverses a spectacular example of an Iron Age promontory fort,. A number of grassy mounds mark the location of this fort known locally as O’Tooles Castle.
Further along the trail you will find St. Patrick’s Holy Well, a secluded place where local people went to pray during Penal Times, when Catholic worship was banned on pain of severe penalties, including death. The waters here are said to have healing powers.
As the path turns inland you will pass a small square concrete hut which was a look- out post during World War II, known in Ireland as “The Emergency”. From this coastal position, people manning the look-out could report sightings of wartime movements along Irish coastal waters, this was one of 83 such structures built for this purpose along the coast. While most days were quiet, log books from the time reveal the sightings of American B17 Flying Fortress bombers and Catalina amphibious planes, and the body of a German soldier was reputedly washed ashore nearby and buried at the graveyard in Templeboy.
The final section of the walk passes the Deserted Village, a series of ruined dwellings located along the roadside which date to the early 19th century and which symbolise the sad decline of many places in Ireland which began with the Great Famine of 1845-‘49. It is estimated that in excess of 100 people lived here in the 19th century.
For more information on any of the above check out the History section of our website.
The Chronicles of Aughris 