Rosses Point is a village in County Sligo with a population of 900 in 2022. It's a fishing village at the outflow of Sligo Bay, and "Ross" means the peninsula between that and Drumcliffe Bay further north. It's 8 km west of Sligo and in the 19th century became a holiday resort, similar to Strandhill facing it across the estuary.

'"`UNIQ--maplink-00000001-QINU`"'

Map of Rosses Point

See Sligo for long-distance routes by road or rail. By car follow N4 to Sligo then R291 northwest for 8 km along the coast.

Bus S2 follows the coast from Strandhill north of the estuary to Sligo bus and railway station, and continues west via city centre, the hospital, Institute of Technology and Ballincar (Radisson Blu Hotel), taking 20 min from the bus station to Rosses Point. It's every 30 min daily, adult fare is about €3.

A cycleway connects Sligo and Rosses Point.

Rosses Point is a small village and is easy to get around on foot.

No local taxi, it would have to come out from Sligo.

• Waiting on Shore is a mawkish statue near the lifeboat station. She could be waiting a while.
• Elsinore House is a sorry ruin, with only the ivy holding together the masonry. The Yeats family spent summer holidays here and it features in the writings of William (WB Yeats) and the paintings of his brother Jack. William is buried 5 km east at Drumcliffe "under bare Ben Bulben's head": see Sligo for details but you can get there without backtracking into town, via the narrow lanes. Very narrow, just hope you don't meet another vehicle.
• 54.308-8.5721 Beaches stretch along the west-facing Atlantic coast. They're not as afflicted by currents as the bay, but they're breezy and exposed to waves. First Beach is the 400 m stretch by the caravan site, with parking, toilets, ramp access, and lifeguards in summer. This strip ends at the headland of Bowmore Point, with its colourful cabin. North of there is slipway access to Second Beach, stretching 1 km to Wren Point, with the golf course behind. This is the main beach for kite-surfing. Third Beach is a lonely place north of Wren Point along the spit to the outflow of Drumcliffe Bay; at low tide you can walk to Lower Rosses lighthouse on its tressle tower. There are salt marshes behind the beach and Benbulbin louring across the estuary. Reach it either from Second Beach or by the lanes north side of the peninsula.
• 54.303-8.5762 Metal Man is the distinctly camp sailor atop the navigation tower on Perch Rock. Approaching by sea, you should line up his light with that of Oyster Island behind. Once close in, sail where he's pointing (mincing, more like) to be in the safe channel. Erected in 1821, he has an identical twin at Tramore in County Waterford.
• 54.302-8.5673 Oyster Island is farmland, nowadays uninhabited and privately owned, with a lighthouse aligned with the Metal Man. In 1864 a fleet of "oyster pirates" attempted to raid the local oyster beds, and there was a grand set-to with the police, who deployed in force to stop them. The pirates were defeated that day, but in the following years overfishing destroyed the Sligo oyster beds.
• 54.3-8.5854 Coney Island can be reached by boat from Rosses Point, but it's tidal so usually you walk or drive across the sands from Strandhill. A few people still live there, heavily outnumbered by rabbits.
• 54.433-8.6675 Inishmurray is an uninhabited island to the north with an early medieval monastic complex. In 2018 the landing point was declared unsafe so boat trips can't visit; nobody has the money for repairs. Non-landing angling trips can use its waters.

• Second Beach is the place for kite-surfing and wind-surfing; also classic surfing though the waves are modest.
• 54.3049-8.56881 Ewings Sea Angling and Boat Charters (Sligo Boat Charters), ☏ +353 86 891 3618. They're mostly about sea-angling. They also do scenic trips around the area for groups, but don't have timetabled walk-up tours; note also that Inishmurray island remains off limits. (updated Jun 2025)
• 54.307-8.5662 County Sligo Golf Club, Greenlands, Rosses Point F91 Y974, ☏ +353 71 917 7134, [email protected]. Links golf club with Championship "Colt" course of 6638 m / 7259 yards par 71, plus nine-hole "Bomore" course of 2758 m / 3034 yards par 35. They also manage the courses at Strandhill, Enniscrone and Donegal. Visitor round €300. (updated Jun 2025)
• Sligo Yacht Club are based at the saltily-named Deadman's Point by First Beach.
• Wild Atlantic Way is a motoring route along the coast from Donegal right round to Kinsale near Cork. The local sections are self-evident.
• Wild Atlantic Shanty Festival is mid-June, with song, running and boating races, and dressing up like a pirate.

Bay View Stores (aka Conway's) is at the east edge of the village, open daily 8AM-10PM.

No fuel hereabouts, fill up on the main road through Sligo.

• 54.3049-8.56421 Austies, Rosses Point F91 XA72, ☏ +353 71 911 7786. Food Th F 4-8PM, Sa Su 1-8PM. Pleasant restaurant with cosy bar. (updated Jun 2025)
• Gg's Food Truck parks near Austies.
• 54.3052-8.55892 The Driftwood, Rosses Point F91 X5DF, ☏ +353 71 931 7070. Th-Su 8AM-11PM. Smokehouse restaurant and bar, has accommodation. B&B double €150. (updated Jun 2025)
• Rose Chinese Restaurant in village centre is open W-M 4-11PM.
• Little Cottage Cafe at the east edge of the village has vegan options. It's open daily 9:30AM-4PM.

• Harry's Bar is on the seafront 100 m east of Driftwood.
• You can also drink at Austies or Driftwood.

• 54.3071-8.56941 Greenlands Caravan and Camping Park, Rosses Upper F91 TC64, ☏ +353 71 917 7113. Well run site open April-Sept. They run a similar park at Strandhill across the estuary. Tent £28, caravan £30. (updated Jun 2025)
• Driftwood Restaurant has rooms, see Eat.
• See Sligo for others. Radisson Blu Hotel is on the road out from town towards Rosses Point.

As of June 2025, Rosses Point and its approach roads have 4G from Three and Vodafone, but only a poor scratchy signal from Eir. 5G has reached Sligo town but doesn't extend further out.

• Most routes take you back through Sligo.
• Donegal Town is just 40 km northeast up the coast.