When planning a trip to Ballaghnatrillick, two different scales can help: the Gleniff Horseshoe near Ballintrillick is a 10 km single-track route, while the loop at Gleniff Mill is 1.5 km long. This lets you choose between a longer route to explore by car, on foot or by bicycle, and a short loop along forestry tracks. From the Gleniff Horseshoe, you can enjoy coastal views of Donegal Bay.
Accommodation and getting your bearings in Ballintrillick
The Benwiskin Centre is an eco-friendly hostel in a rural setting in Ballintrillick. Groups can rent the entire centre. This group option is therefore a useful starting point when planning accommodation.
Ballintrillick is near the coast and at the foot of, or in the shadow of, the Dartry Mountains. The Gleniff Mill walk runs along a river; on the way back to the mill, there are views of Benwiskin. At the start of the loop, only the foundations of Gleniff Barytes Mill are currently visible. Visiting the route and mill site together offers two distinct impressions: the riverside path and the visible remains of the mill.
Routes, landscapes and local history
At 10 km, the Gleniff Horseshoe is a different length from the 1.5 km loop at Gleniff Mill. The Horseshoe route is single-track and can be explored in different ways: by car, on foot or by bicycle. The Mill loop, by contrast, follows forestry tracks. Its riverside setting and the views of Benwiskin on the way back give this shorter walk its own focus. When planning your day, you can weigh the route lengths against the landscapes described for each one.
Individual sites also tell the story of Ballintrillick’s built and local history. Ballintrillick Bridge in Keeloges is listed in County Sligo’s Record of Protected Structures. There is also an old ruin in the townland of Keelogues; its walls and the surrounding grounds are now used as a cemetery. These local features add historical context to the landscape routes without requiring an additional walk to be described.
Getting there and bus timetable
A Local Link bus runs through Ballintrillick. Check the current timetable before travelling so you can plan your arrival accordingly.
More to discover in County Sligo
Beyond Ballintrillick, County Sligo offers a range of interests to consider when planning a trip. Carrowmore is Ireland’s largest and oldest collection of Neolithic tombs, with more than 30 surviving monuments that are almost 6,000 years old. At Carrowkeel, visitors can explore tombs that are more than 5,000 years old; they must not be climbed on or damaged. Sligo Abbey, meanwhile, is a Dominican priory with extensive surviving medieval remains of the church, sacristy and chapter house. At Sligo Folk Park, reconstructed village streets, cottages and a schoolhouse, along with twelve exhibitions, offer insights into rural Ireland.
For a coastal focus, there is Streedagh Beach: the 3 km sandy beach connects Streedagh Point with Connor's Island. The dunes and estuary are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Surfing and windsurfing are possible in the coastal waters; stand-up paddleboarding takes place in the sheltered estuary. Check sea conditions before taking part. Mullaghmore Head is also a well-known surf spot in County Sligo and has a walking route along the coast. Those more interested in cultural history can find a historical connection to Countess Markievicz’s childhood home at Lissadell House & Gardens; visitors can use the woodland and walking trails there. County Sligo’s different offerings can thus be grouped by landscape, activity or history, without conflating them with places in Ballintrillick.
The Spanish Armada Visitor Centre at Streedagh Beach displays recovered artefacts and immersive exhibitions about the wreck and its sole survivor. Check current opening hours before travelling. This allows you to choose between a scenic route, archaeological sites and a themed visitor centre, depending on what you would like to add to your trip.
Discover more destinations: Curry, Templeboy, Mullaghmore, Ballinphull, Riverstown, Inishcrone, Castlebaldwin, Ballymote
For the broader travel overview: County Sligo.
