Things to see and do Ireland

North Mayo Driving Tour

Leaving Ballina on the road to Killala, you pass near Kimoremoy where St. Patrick may have founded a church, but it is generally attributed to his disciple, Olcán. There is a forest walk to the right at Belleek. An interesting detour can be taken to the right 3km from Ballina to see the well preserved remains of Rosserk and Moyne Friaries. You arrive back on the main road beside Killala. After visiting its many attractions, take the road for Ballycastle. Visit the Céide Fields. The coast from Downpatrick Head to Benwee Head contains some of the most spectacular cliffscapes in the country. Visit the Céide Fields Centre, and take a guided tour through a section of the site. After this fascinating visit, continue towards Belmullet, passing Belderg prehistoric farm to the right and blanket bog on the left. After exploring the attractions of Belmullet and the Mullet peninsula, take the Bangor road for Ballina. At Bunnahowen, a detour can be made through the Gaeltacht area of Geesala ( the setting for John Millington Synge's play The Playboy of the Western World ) and the Doohoma peninsula where there is a fine beach. Continue the tour through Bangor and on towards Ballina with the Owenmore River to the right and the Nephin Beg mountain range in view, passing on the left Bellacorick E.S.B power station and the 21 mills of a commercial windfarm established in 1992 to supply electricity to the national grid. Turn left for Crossmolina, passing the Bórd na Móna works on the left. Approx. Ballina / Belmullet return 140 km - 87 miles, excluding the Mullet peninsula and detours.

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