• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-608620175552
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "ireland/counties-mayo-sligo",
  "destination": "Counties-Mayo-&-Sligo",
  "title": "counties-mayo-sligo",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Western-Europe",
  "country": "Ireland",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Counties Mayo & Sligo

Ireland

Ireland Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Landscape with mountains and ocean at Keem beach. Achill, Ireland

©Rihardzz/Shutterstock

Overview

Despite their natural wonders and languid charm, counties Mayo and Sligo remain a well-kept secret, offering all of Ireland's wild, romantic beauty but without the crowds. Mayo is the more rugged of the two, with scraggy peaks, sheer cliffs, heather-covered moors and beautiful offshore islands where life is dictated by the elements. Sligo is more pastoral and its lush fields, fish-filled lakes and flat-topped mountains inspired William Butler Yeats to compose some of Ireland's most ardent verse.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of Counties Mayo & Sligo? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your Ireland trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Icons of Southern Ireland: 12 Days in Dublin, Kinsale, Cork, and Tipperary

highlights

  1. 1Viewing the illuminated Book of Kells in Trinity College Dublin’s Old Library
  2. 2Partaking in a traditional afternoon tea inside Waterford’s famous crystal factory
  3. 3Foraging for wild seaweed with an expert guide on the Ring of Kerry
from $5,700

per person

book this tripsee trip details
Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Must-see attractions

Explore all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-404234907897
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "ireland/counties-mayo-sligo",
  "destination": "Counties-Mayo-&-Sligo",
  "title": "counties-mayo-sligo",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Western-Europe",
  "country": "Ireland",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-209657047455
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "ireland/counties-mayo-sligo",
  "destination": "Counties-Mayo-&-Sligo",
  "title": "counties-mayo-sligo",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Western-Europe",
  "country": "Ireland",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Counties Mayo & Sligo

Counties Mayo & Sligo and beyond

View all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-959416467368
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "ireland/counties-mayo-sligo",
  "destination": "Counties-Mayo-&-Sligo",
  "title": "counties-mayo-sligo",
  "type": "Region",
  "region": "Western-Europe",
  "country": "Ireland",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}