Ideas abound at Sligo Council meeting on how to get more tourists to visit the county

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Following a motion proposed by Cllr Ann Higgins before the February meeting of Sligo County Council, which sought details of the current strategy and action plan for attracting both domestic and international visitors to Sligo throughout 2026, councillors expressed support for the report compiled by Director of Services Brian Flynn.

Welcoming the plan for the coming year Cllr Higgins acknowledged the recent initiatives undertaken by the Tourism Office in Sligo County Council such as the production of an AI itinerary developer, the first of its type in Ireland , which was developed in collaboration with the tourism students at ATU under the supervision of Dr Mary McGuckin. The significant improvements in the website and across the social media platforms were also acknowledged, including the ongoing use of influencers and user generated content.

In welcoming the plan, Cllr Higgins stated, “I welcome the commitment to regional collaboration in tourism as this is vital for Sligo in the North West, tourists don’t see or care about county boundaries , they simply want the best experience, improved access and accommodation and the provision of a range of activities. I also welcome the statement on our Positioning strategy for Sligo as festival led, experience rich location on the WAW , and that fact that it is not solely linked to Yeats and Surfing which is too reductive for our county which has so much more to offer.”

However, despite all the positive developments, Cllr Higgins flagged concerns around the drop in international visitors to this region and the slower rate of growth in our domestic market. Cllr Higgins cited local research which suggests that, over a ten year period from 2015 to 2025, the domestic tourism market grew across Sligo by 47%, while neighbouring counties such as Mayo (75%) and Donegal (176%) reported a more significant growth rate.

Cllr Higgins added, “These figures suggest that it is a case of more to do in unleashing the domestic and international tourism potential across Co Sligo . This will require longer term actions that include investment in infrastructure, including the Western Rail Corridor from Knock to Sligo, and the provision of more frequent and faster trains into/out Sligo including an early commuter train into Sligo and a later evening train out of Sligo to service the night economy.’

Cllr Higgins also had some short term suggestions to help promote Sligo as a tourism destination which included the use of social media ads to target potential visitors in the destinations that have direct air access routes to Ireland West/Knock airport. She also suggested the provision of the new promotional brochures in Knock and Belfast airport as is already the case in Dublin airport.

She also stressed the need for greater significance be provided to hiking and hillwalking in promotional campaigns, noting that Benbulben is Ireland's only Table Top Mountain and the whole Dartry Mountain Range is a hikers paradise. The Labour Party Councillor also called for the use of targeted seasonal online campaigns, including the emphasis on our moderate climate and a greater use of ads on podcasts as they are one of the fastest growing mediums.

Cllr Higgins sought an update on the progress made to her previous motion, approved in May 25, to provide a regular tourist bus between May and Sept to access the key tourism sites across the county that are not easily accessible by public transport routes.

While no budget has yet been assigned to it, this initiative is currently being explored by Sligo County Council. Cllr Higgins encouraged progress on this, claiming that ‘the provision of a regular tourism bus would give Sligo a competitive edge.’ Cllr Higgins is again calling for investment in the provision of a temporary canopy/covering for Queen Maeve’s Square to weather-proof it when necessary and to allow it to be used on a year-round basis.

“If Sligo wishes to realise its position as a festival led, experience rich location, then these rather minor investments will reap major rewards and unleash the tourism potential across this beautiful county of ours.”

The report was also welcomed by Cllr Fergal Nealon who said, “I welcome the mention of the Ryder cup in 20207.” He focused on the North American influx of visitors last year for the first ever NFL game to be played in Ireland and the annual college game which sees huge crowds descend on Dublin.

"We are missing something with the NFL,” said Cllr Nealon. “We need to look at setting up a festival. The college football comes annually and we should look at doing something special. We need to proactively engage with sports travel agents and promote Sligo.”

The report was also welcomed by Cllr Marie Casserly who reserved special praise for the revamped Choose Sligo website saying so many people are mentioning that facility where there is an itinerary worked out for you.

"Cllr Casserly added, “Other counties would give their right teeth for what we have in Sligo. There are so many people, not just foreign visitors who want to visit Sligo and the more we offer them the better,” adding that the provision of more cycling facilities would help add to Sligo’s appeal.

The motion was also supported by Cllr Thomas Walsh who said, “It is important we see additional activity in Queen Maeve Square in 2026. It is important we get the best out of Queen Maeve Square.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.