Things to Do and See
Louisburgh is home to numerous festivals, the town comes alive in the summer months, it is a stunning spot which is in close proximity to the tourist town of Westport and also to Murrisk.
The town has numerous traditional festivals throughout the summer season. Feile Chois Cuain takes place in Louisburgh on the May Bank holiday week. This festival is a celebration of traditional Irish music, song and dance. The small town of Louisburgh has a rich heritage in the traditional arts. The weekend consists of a programme of events, however its famous informal sessions make this festival stand out, with everyone free to join in with a song, dance or tune! The Louisburgh Street Festival takes place on the August bank Holiday weekend which hosts live music on the streets of Louisburgh. The September Sessions takes place on the second weekend of September. An Bhun Abhainn pub in Louisburgh will be overflowing with tunes, songs and conversation. Guests have included; Emer Mayock, John Kilkenny, Philip Duffy and many more. On offer are many sessions for both kids and adults throughout the weekend. In October there is Sonas. Sonas is a childrens festival held in Louisburgh. It is organised by Louisburgh Community Project. The festival offers public and weekend activities including many workshops, art and story telling. The Louisburgh Horse Show takes place in June and was awarded the show of the year for 2010 by the show correspondent from the 'Farmers Journal'. If you would like to find out more about the legendary pirate queen, Granuaile, or Grace O'Malley (1530-1600) you can visit the Granuaile Visitor Centre The Croagh Patrick Heritage trail starts in nearby Murrrisk and incorporates the National Famine Monument. The first annual Clew Bay Half Marathon took place during August of 2011. More information on this event here Facts and Figures
On Friday 30th March 1839 two officials from the Westport Poor Law Union arrived in Loiusburgh to check on those individuals who were receiving outdoor relief (a payment made to destitute members of the community) to see if they still qualified for the payment. For some reason the inspection never took place and the officials went to Delphi Lodge and the people were instructed to appear there at 7am the following morning if they still wanted to receive their payments. Several hundred starving people set out to walk the ten mile journey to Delphi in terrible winter weather conditions. on arrival they were sent back to Louisburgh. There are no accurate figures for how many died on that march though some say up to a hundred may have perished. Every year an annual Famine Walk is held along the route to ensure that they are never forgotten.
History
Louisburgh has a relatively short but varied history. Louisburgh was founded just over two hundred years ago by Lord Altamount (John Browne). The town was planned and built on the pattern that exists today. The towns name probably came about due to the Browne family's links to the battle of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia in 1758. The 1838 Ordnance Survey Field Name Books of the County of Mayo mention that the town has a church, a catholic chapel, a Market House and a police station and that fairs were held there on a three yearly basis. According to the Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland in 1844 the town was a " poor but deeply secluded place; but might become a prosperous fishing village with the aid of a suitable harbour at the mouth of the rivulet " The Louisburgh area suffered from extreme poverty and want throughout the 1830's and 1840's culminating in the great Irish Famine. The 1853 population of Louisburgh had dropped by 45 individuals over the preceding 10 years , a significant amount when you consider the 1841 population of the town stood at 448. Louisburgh fought through this difficult time, through the Land Wars and through the turbulent period of the early twentieth century to become the beautiful and peaceful place it is today.
Education
Secondary School – Sancta Maria College National Schools &ndash Holy Family National Scool , St Patrick's National School.Sport
Louisburgh and it's surrounding areas play host to a wide variety of sporting activities including:
Carrowinskey Beach Races Louisburgh GAA club Louisburgh GAA Club GymSurfing with Surf Mayo The Louisburgh Triathalon or Triburgh Getting to Louisburgh
- By Car:
- from Dublin, follow the N5 for Westport, in Westport follow signs for Louisburgh. It takes just over 3 hours 40 mins to drive from Dublin to Louisburgh. .
- from Sligo, follow the N17 and then the N5 for Westport. Then follow signs for Louisburgh.
- By Bus: Westport is served by a number of Bus Eireann routes Then from Westport there is a regional route to Louisburgh. 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.
Also Nearby
Westport is a short drive away. Tallabawn (Silver Strand) and Dooaghtry beaches at Kiladoon have been rated as the best in Europe. Croagh Patrick. Four of the West's most important developing fisheries, Bunowen, Carrowniskey, Delphi and Errif with deep-sea fishing available from Roonagh, Old Head and Westport. Roonagh Pier, the ferry for Clare Island. Links
Louisburgh Horse ShowFeile Chois Cuain Golouisburgh.com Louisburgh-Killeen Heritage Group