In 2019, the seaside town of Strandhill in County Sligo was named Ireland's Health & Well-Being Destination, one of 17 European countries to receive an EDEN award from the European Commission.
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The health and well-being trend is one that is catching on among countries that are eager to promote their destinations as places to relax in, not just attractions to see and move on from.
Other countries that received the European Destination of Excellence awards included Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, and Turkey.
The initiative aims to promote sustainable tourism development models across the EU and to recognize the places that provide the best health and well-being tourism experience with the potential to grow visitor numbers.In addition to Strandhill (under the auspices of the Strandhill Community Development Association), the other finalists from Ireland included Adventure Sligo & Northwest Wellness, Slow Adventure Leitrim, and the Trim Tourism Network.
Previous Irish winners of the award have included Scattery Island in Co. Clare, the Burren Food Trail, the Great Western Greenway, and Loop Head, also in Co. Clare.
Strandhill, which is about 7 km (4 miles) from Sligo town, is popular with locals and visitors, including surfers.
For those not brave enough to surf, there's lots more to do in Strandhill that promotes well-being.
Four walking trails in the area provide the opportunity for a leisurely stroll or an invigorating hike.
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- The Cullenamore Trail – a one- to two-hour walk that can be done in two different ways. One follows the sandy curve of the shore and will bring you around the tip of the estuary and back to the beach again. The other cuts across the nearby Shelley Valley sand dunes and back to the beach again.
- The Knocknarea/Rathcarrick Trail – a steep, rugged trail that will take you up the back of Knocknarea and to Maeve's cairn. The total distance is about 2.5 km (1.5 miles). Be sure to bring water and snacks and wear suitable clothing and shoes.
- Knocknarea/Queen Maeve Trail – this recently developed trail will take you up the front of the mountain and through the Coillte forests. Sections of raised boardwalk have been laid to assist walkers as they make their way to the summit.
- Killaspugbrone Walk – an easy one-hour walk that will take you to an ancient monastic settlement at the edge of the Coolera Peninsula.
You'll find more information on walking in Sligo from Sligo Walks.
Adding to the town's reputation as a health and well-being destination is Voya Seaweed Baths, where you can enjoy the detoxifying benefits that come from seaweed, including increased circulation and healing.
The spa's seaweed therapy program, the only indigenous spa therapy of its kind in Ireland, includes a bathhouse massage, an Indian head massage, and a pregnancy massage.
The seaweed used at Voya Seaweed Baths is harvested from the nearby Atlantic Ocean.
Seaweed contains a range of vitamins and minerals, including iodine, iron, and calcium, among other elements.
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You can find a variety of Irish seaweed products online.
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If you are visiting Strandhill for a few days you might want to check out the popular surf/yoga surf/kayak weekends that involve the collaboration of the Sligo Surf Experience and Sligo Kayak Tours.
If you're curious about Sligo's tranquil lakes, the ones that William B. Yeats was so fond of, you'll want to experience it all with Sligo Kayak Tours.
Read More: WB Yeats: A Literary Journey Through the Poet's Most Beloved Places in Ireland
The tour company offers the following relaxing jaunts, perfect for health and wellbeing:
- Ballisodare Bay & the Seal Colony – get up close to the seal colony in Ballisodare Bay and at the same time marvel at Sligo's iconic Knocknarea, where Queen Maeve is said to be buried.
- Lough Gill – this is considered the jewel in Sligo's crown. Paddle your way around the lake and explore its many little islands.
- Glencar Lake – this lake straddles Counties Sligo and Leitrim. You'll paddle past the famous Glencar Waterfall, where Yeats got much of his inspiration. Lakeshore forests are abundant here as well as ancient crannogs.
- Dernish Island – known for its ancient farming settlement, you'll get great views of Benbulben, Sligo's table mountain. There's also an opportunity to stroll along the shoreline and catch a glimpse of the birds that frequent this peaceful place.
Sligo Kayak Tours also offers overnight wilderness tours.