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Mayo

Get ready for awe-inspiring scenery and a wealth of historical attractions

Sightseeing

From the oldest landscape in Europe to a spiritual Marian Shrine

Achill Island

Beautiful, rugged, wild and windswept, the picturesque Achill Island is the largest island off the coast of Ireland and is linked by bridge to mainland County Mayo.

Ceide Fields

Dating back to 5000BC, Céide Fields are the oldest known field systems in the world, and is a unique Neolithic landscape of world importance.

Clew Bay

A truly beautiful inlet of the Atlantic with 365 islands, Clew Bay is seen at its best from the peak of Croagh Patrick.

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St Patrick spent 40 days and nights fasting on this 765-metre high sacred mountain near Westport, and banishing dragons, snakes and demonic forces from the site. Today pilgrims follow in the footsteps of the saint and on “Reek Sunday”, the last Sunday in July, over 25,000 people ascend towards the summit.

Knock Shrine

The Virgin Mary, with St Joseph and St John the Evangelist, appeared here on the 21 August 1879. Since then, Knock has grown to the status of an internationally recognised Marian Shrine.

Lough Lannagh

A stunning spot with views of Croagh Patrick in the distance.

Activities

There’s lots of fun to be had in County Mayo with fast-paced Gaelic games and exhilarating watersports

Angling

Enjoy excellent coarse and game fishing in the Moy River, Lough Conn, Lough Mask and Clew Bay.

Gaelic Games

Sample the drama of Ireland’s unique games of football and hurling, the latter reputed to be the fastest ball game in the world. Mayo is a particular stronghold of Ladies’ Gaelic Football.

Sailing

By boat you can discover the wild Atlantic coast, with its secluded bays and islands, or cruise through rivers and loughs with an unforgettable sense of space and freedom.

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Walking

You’ll be spoiled for choice with a top selection of walks in County Mayo. The Foxford Way is an 86km circular route around North East Mayo and is one of the county’s finest walks; Barrony of Erris offers 24 stunning routes for walkers of all levels, and Tóchar Valley is a strikingly beautiful area filled with rural communities and rich in history. If you fancy getting involved in a walking festival, you could try the Achill Island Walking Festival, or the Castlebar International Four Days Walking Festival.

Watersports

The expanse of Atlantic coastline along Mayo offers thrilling canoeing, sailing, surfing, water-skiing and deep-sea diving for all watersport enthusiasts.

Children

From fun-filled play centres to a mini-railway set amongst beautiful parkland

Tumble Jungle, Ballina

Encompassing 13,500sq ft, Tumble Jungle is the largest children’s entertainment centre in the country with fun-filled play areas and a jungle theme.

Westport House

An 18th-century stately home set in beautiful parkland with a lake, terraces and gardens overlooking Clew Bay. Children will love the mini-railway, giant water slide and other attractions.

Culture & festivals

Mayo boasts stacks of cultural highlights including museums, an arts centre and lots of traditional Irish music

Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar

Linenhall offers an ongoing programme of exhibitions, drama, literature and film, plus workshops for adults and children.

National Museum of Ireland Country Life, Castlebar

The first branch of the National Museum to be situated outside Dublin, the Country Life Museum portrays the life of ordinary people who lived in Ireland from 1850-1950. Housed within a beautiful High Victorian Gothic-style house, the museum also encompasses extensive gardens.

Traditional Irish music

As well as informal music sessions every night in pubs, there are many annual festivals such as the Féile Chois Chuain in Louisburg.

Eating, Drinking & Luxury

From health farms to heavenly meals, Mayo has it all

Ashford Castle, County Mayo

A romantic venue, Ashford Castle dates back to 1228 and now offers guests relaxation, fine dining and 20th-century comfort. Activities include fishing, horse riding, golf, falconry and walking.

Cloona Health Centre, County Mayo

Open since 1973, this converted woollen mill has been tastefully renovated and is a founder member of the health farms of Ireland.

Newport Country House & Restaurant, County Mayo

A beautiful Georgian house, Newport has become a famous base for those fishing the great rivers of County Mayo. The dining room and wine lists are superb.

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Rosmoney Spa & Seaweed Baths, County Mayo

A haven of seawater treatments, just 20ft from the sea beside Westport town. Treatments include seaweed baths, balneotherapy, algotherapy and a thalassotherapy pool.