Each week, we ask someone who really knows Ireland’s twists and turns to share their favourite places. Today: Designer and photographer Trevor Finnegan, the brains behind the shopfront photography project Our Type, on his most beloved spots around Ireland.
My background: I grew up in a small village in Offaly called Killeigh. My parents are originally from Sligo and I spent many summers along the West coast – I have recently moved to Sligo with my wife and baby Jeff.
My parents travelled around Ireland a lot when we were kids and almost every weekend we would be off to somewhere out West. My grandparents lived in Sligo town where they had a bakery, and my Grandad would always drive me to various beaches for surfing.
I began to notice around the time after the Celtic Tiger that many of Ireland’s traditional shopfronts and signage had been replaced with your everyday chain stores. Photographing these old shop fronts was a way of documenting them, and that’s what Our Type grew out of.
My most memorable destination: Ardara in Donegal, which we used as a base to explore the whole county
I have travelled around every nook and cranny of Ireland, but Donegal, in particular, is one of my favourite places to visit. There is small village there called Ardara where my wife and I rented an old Irish cottage for a few weeks and travelled all across the county.
There is so much to see around this area, such as the caves of Maghera, the Assaranca Waterfall and an abundance of stunning beaches, not forgetting the amazing hike to the Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) cliffs situated on the south west coast of the county.
There are terrific views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Sligo Mountains and Donegal Bay as you walk towards the terrifyingly high top of Sliabh Liag, where the cliff face of Bunglas rises over 600m above the Atlantic.
Experienced walkers only should venture beyond the viewing point onto One Man’s Pass which loops around onto the Pilgrim’s Path. The last time we hiked there it was a scorching hot day in August. On our descent, we could see the nearby Teelin Pier and we all went for a swim off it after our hike – probably the nicest swim ever.
My favourite Irish town: Westport, for a pint and a cycle on the greenway
As a town, Westport is so well maintained, traditional shopfronts included. It’s constantly busy, creating a great buzz for visitors and tourists.
Cycling some of the new greenway from Westport town all the way to Achill Island is must-do, as is the climb up Croagh Patrick. One local spot I love is McGings, a typical Irish pub – no TV or radio, just an open fire and traditional music.
The best place I’ve ever stopped for an ice cream: The local shop along the water at Baltimore Bay
We had an ice cream here after a swim in a saltwater lake called Lough Hyne, between Skibbereen and Baltimore. It’s just the local shop on the waterfront, perfect for an ice cream after after a swim on a hot day.
My favourite breakfast in Ireland: This Must Be The Place in Westport.
You’ll find it on the junction of High Street. The breakfast here is incredible and really good coffee to boot. Another favourite place (and more local to me) is Shells in Strandhill, with a backdrop of some of the best waves in Ireland behind you!
The place I love to head for a walk or hike: The Killaspugbrone Loop Walk in Sligo, about 90 minutes before sunset
For my everyday walk I usually head out along the dunes in Strandhill in Sligo for a walk with my dog. This walk is along another path or walkway known as Killaspugbrone Loop, which is a good walk to do about an hour and a half before the sun goes down.
If the tide is high, the reflections on Cummeen Strand can be quite spectacular, with the church silhouetted against the setting sun. The walk takes about one hour, but allow a bit more time if you would like to explore the church ruins and swimming beach behind.
One hidden gem not many people know about: Silver Strand in Mayo, with views to rival the Caribbean
I’m not sure if I want to give this one away or not… Silver Strand is probably one of my favourite spots in Ireland because of how remote it is. You’ll find it about an hour’s drive from Westport past Louisberg. It is just spectacular! If you trek along the coastline here you would honestly think you are along a Caribbean island.
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