Belmullet | Béal an Mhuirthead

Name of Town

Belmullet or Béal an Mhuirthead

Introduction

Belmullet is a coastal town located on the Mullet peninsula. The town has two bays, Blacksod Bay and Broadhaven Bay which are joined by Carters Canal (named for a nineteenth century local landlord William Henry Carter)which runs through the town.

Things to Do and See

Belmullet is the final town along Tir Saile or the North Mayo Sculpture Trail. This project which was the largest public arts project in Ireland entailed the creation of fourteen site-specific sculptures along the North Mayo coast from Ballina to Belmullet.The Sculptures were put in place during 1993, as part of the celebration of Mayo 5000, a year-long event which marked the presence of human-kind in Mayo for over the previous fifty centuries.

Belmullet is a popular area for fishing, with fresh-water and sea-angling off Broadhaven Bay.

Belmullet is home to many events and festivals throughout the year, including Feile Beal an Mhuirthead (Belmullet Festival) which is held in August.

Féile Iorrais is a ten day international folk arts festival which takes place during the summer months throughout the Barony of Erris including the town of Belmullet.

Aras Inis Gluaire (the Arts Centre)is located in the civic centre in Belmullet and was opened in 2007. The centre has, since it's opening hosted hundreds of concerts, performances, gigs and exhibitions. It is also the home of Pictiúrlann Iorrais the local film club.

Ionad Deirbhle is a heritage centre located about 11 miles from Belmullet.The centre provides visitors with a fascinating insight into the way of life of local people in times past. Visitors can access a wealth of information on archaeology, local folklore and local history.

Ballycroy National Park is located within 30 km of Belmullet. The park was established in 1998 and is Ireland’s sixth National Park. It is made up a wilderness of 11,000 hectares of Atlantic blanket bog and is dominated by the Nephin Beg mountain range.A visitors centre is open at certain times of year, check out the website for more details.

Gateway Leisure is a fully air conditioned complex which contains the following facilities: 10 pin bowling lanes, 6 pool tables & air hockey tables, Kid Island – children’s activity centre, birthday party rooms, licensed pub and restaurant and luxury outdoor area.

 

Facts and Figures

Belmullet Aerodrome is located 4km west of Belmullet. The aerodrome is licensed by the Aeronautical Services Department of the Irish Aviation Authority.

Education

Belmullet is serviced by the following schools:

Glencastle Special Needs School - sensory garden and relaxation room

Inver National School has won national awards for their Information Technology.

Sport

The Belmullet area is well represented on the sporting front with a number of local organisations very active in their fields including:

Kilmore Triathlon Club

Soccer Erris United FC - Iorrias Aointhe

Belmullet GAA Facebook Page

Carne Golf Links

UISCE Irish language college and water sport adventure centre
.

Also Near By....

Ballina - home of the famous River Moy and The Ballina Salmon Festival.

Ceide Fields neolithic site.

History

In about 1715 Sir Arthur Shaen began "building a little town" on that site of what is now Belmullet. That little town remained very isolated and under-developed until the new road from Castlebar to Belmullet was opened in 1824. Later that year the heir to the Shaen estate William Henry Carter arrived in a horse-drawn carriage, the first to ever visit Belmullet. Over a number of years William Carter improved the infrastructure of the town building the Erris Hotel and a quay which could accommodate vessels of 100 tons.
The town continued to grow and by the 1830's the was a daily postal service from Ballina,numerous trades and  fifteen licensed premises in the town and a courthouse (which was constructed in 1833).As with many towns in Mayo the Famine period during the 1840's almost sounded the death knell for the town. The suffering and trauma endured by the population was incredible. Towards the end of the 1880's however things started to again improve with public works projects such as the provision of a town water supply coming on stream. Plans were initiated for the development of a rail link with the rest of Ireland but unfortunately these never came to fruition.

Getting to Belmullet

By Car:

from Dublin, take the N59, then the R313 to Belmullet.

from Galway, follow N17, N26 to Swinford, then R313 to Bangor Erris

Bus: Belmullet is served by a number of Bus Eireann routes.  For timetables and more information, visit Bus Eireann.

By Air: You can fly to Knock Airport (IWAK) from a number of UK and European locations.  Visit the Ireland West Airport Knock website for schedules and carriers. 

Links

Erris Beo

Aras Inis Gluire