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Plan Your Trip

County Mayo


Welcome to County Mayo, the third largest county in Ireland offering the longest coastline, highest sea cliffs and the largest island. For visitors and locals alike, Mayo is home to a host of attractions and activities to enjoy. What better way to discover Mayo’s charm than by taking to the great outdoors!

Right at the heart of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, Mayo embraces the Atlantic Ocean with many of the county’s unforgettable landmarks dotted along its coastline - majestic Croagh Patrick, Clew Bay, Achill’s unmistakable cliffs, the Stags of Broadhaven and the sea stack Dún Briste.

Mayo’s Atlantic coastline is a playground for those with an adventurous spirit, offering world class deep-sea fishing, surfing, coasteering, kayaking and kitesurfing. For those who enjoy going off the beaten track, you can’t beat North Mayo or Erris – a region voted best place to go wild in Ireland! (Irish Times)                                  This area is a haven for walkers, anglers and golfers alike, with Ballina’s Ridge Pool on the River Moy renowned worldwide for its salmon angling, the Foxford Way walking trail and a championship course at the exceptional Carne Golf Links.

The Great Western Greenway, connecting two of Mayo’s premier tourist locations (Westport and Achill Island), offers an award-winning family-friendly biking & walking trail, with stunning scenery, historic villages, ancient ruins, arts & crafts, the Gourmet Greenway and Mulranny’s famous goats to discover along the way.

The rich heritage of Mayo means there’s plenty for the culturally curious to explore too. The National Museum of Ireland – Country Life located in Turlough (near Castlebar) tells the story of rural life in Ireland through the years, while the Jackie Clarke Collection in Ballina shares one man’s incredible collection of Irish historical material. Mayo’s religious heritage reminds us that the County was once a place of spiritual reflection for the religious, among them St Patrick, Ireland’s national saint. A tour of Westport House, one of Ireland’s best-loved attractions and once home to Grace O’Malley, the renowned 16th century Pirate Queen, offers a fascinating insight into history.

County Mayo has its own International Airport known as Ireland West Airport, Knock. A true gateway to the west of Ireland, the airport serves more than 25 scheduled and charter destinations across Ireland, Europe, the UK and further afield.Highlighted are a five and six day itinerary to help you plan your trip if your are considering visiting our wonderful county

Five Day Itinerary in Co. Mayo

If it’s adventure you seek, you have come to the right place. County Mayo has the perfect natural landscape to get heartbeats thumping and pulses racing. From water to land to breath-taking heights, this trip will leave feeling re-energised like never before.


  • Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Castlebar

    What better way to kick off your day than with some stand-up paddle boarding on Lough Lannagh. Traditionally a Hawaiian sport, it combines a surfboard with a long handheld paddle and promotes balance, strength and general fitness. You don’t have to be a surfer to partake, and it’s a great way to explore the stunning natural landscapes Mayo has to offer. There is a dedicated Stand-up paddle boarding provider, who also offer kayaking and bicycle rental

  • Cycle the Great Western Greenway from Westport to Achill

    Escape the bustle of urban life on the longest off-road cycling and walking trail in Ireland. Cycle along the old Westport to Achill railway line which closed in 1937, this 42 km almost entirely traffic free route is ideal for getting out on a bike for a spin and is perfect for a day of family fun

  • Climb Croagh Patrick

    Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s most famous Holy Mountain stands at 764m (2,507ft) and is best known for its association with Saint Patrick, who is said to have fasted for 40 days at the summit. In its entirety, the route is a 7km long round-trip but there are viewing points along the route that allow the less active to enjoy stunning views of Clew Bay without the strenuous climb.

  • Surf pristine coastal waters

    Grab your surfboard and get ready to hit the water! Mayo has several beaches of blue flag standard which are perfect for amateur and expert surfers. Carrowniskey is one of the finest beaches on Ireland’s western seaboard and is only a short drive from Westport. Surf lessons and surfboard rental are available from local providers so you won’t have the hassle of carrying equipment. Carrowniskey beach is a safe environment, accommodating differing levels of expertise.

  • Ride the Velo Rail Train Line

    At the end of your stay, why not enjoy a leisurely spin on the old railway line at Kiltimagh, where a section has been restored for pedal powered railcars. Ideal for a family or a group of friends, the aim is to pedal along the track until you reach the end of the journey. Stretching 13km in length, the Velo Rail is the only one of its kind in Ireland. It’s a unique way to see the countryside and the gentle inclines mean it’s a great activity to round off your adventures in County Mayo!



Six Day Itinerary in Mayo

Mayo has an array of visitor experiences to suit everyone, for the young and not so young alike. Whether you want to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, or just experience something new, County Mayo is the ideal holiday destination. Located at the heart of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, this part of the west of Ireland is sure to excite and leave you with long lasting holiday memories.


  • Admire the Céide Fields

    Older than Egypt’s pyramids, the Céide Fields are the oldest stone walled fields in the world - clocking in at over 6,000 years old. This is not just another archaeological monument or visitor centre; here you can indulge yourself in a vast prehistoric landscape, a natural wild ecology of blanket bog, dramatic cliffs and coastline, while the centre itself has received Ireland’s most prestigious architectural award.

     

  • Visit Ballycroy National Park

    Ballycroy National Park is Ireland’s sixth National Park and is located in Northwest Mayo. It comprises 11,000 hectares of Atlantic Bog and mountainous terrain, covering a vast uninhabited, unspoilt wilderness dominated by the Nephin Beg Mountain range. The views are suitably captivating, some of the best Ireland has to offer. Explore the park via one of many walking trails or hire a local guide.

     

  • Visit the National Museum of Ireland, Country Life

    Learn about ways of life from centuries ago at the National Museum of Country Life. Situated in the stunning grounds of Turlough Park, Castlebar, the museum comprises of the estate’s original house (1865), which has been fully restored, as well as a purpose-built exhibition gallery. The innovative exhibits on show tell the story of Irish country life between 1850 and 1950.

    Commemorate the past at Mayo Peace Park

    Remember fallen heroes of the past at the Mayo Peace Park. This memorial is situated in the centre of Castlebar town, by the old town cemetery. It commemorates all those from Co. Mayo who served and died in the major world wars and conflicts of the past century, as well as in other wars and conflicts.

     

  • Stroll through Westport Town & Westport House

    Westport is one of Ireland’s most popular tourism destinations. Along with a pleasant atmosphere, the town has a host of friendly pubs and restaurants to relax in. A short distance from the main street is Westport House, an historic home set in parkland with lake views, terraces and wonderful gardens. With over 30 rooms on show, visitors can immerse themselves in life as far back as the 16th century when Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley ruled the land and seas around the estate.

     

  • Spend the day in Ashford Castle and Cong

    Home to a rich vein of culture, the delightful village of Cong is the ideal break away from the stresses of daily life. The setting of well known film ‘The Quiet Man’, the village boasts its own dedicated museum where you can relive the story. While here, enter the iconic Ashford Castle and estate, built in the 13th century and once home to the Guinness family. The magnificently maintained grounds sit on the edge of Lough Corrib. Take a boat trip to ancient Christian ruins at Inchagoill Island on Lough Corrib or alternatively check out the Cong Augustinian Abbey to see some of the earliest architecture in Ireland.

     

  • Day trip to Clare Island

    Park your car at Roonagh Pier and take the ferry across Clew Bay and explore by bicycle, or on foot. Clare Island is a twenty minute ferry crossing from the mainland and the journey may include some complementary dolphin or basking shark viewing along the way. When you arrive visit Grace O’ Malley’s castle, the Pirate Queen of Ireland who ruled the seas during the 16th century. You can also view one of the Napoleonic towers dotted along the western coastline of Ireland, used to guard against an invasion during the Napoleonic Wars.

    For ferry information click here 



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