Marvelous Mayo bewitches with its magical experiences, mystical landscapes, and magnificent seascapes. Located along the Wild Atlantic Way, Mayo has the longest coastline of any county in Ireland, and as you can imagine, the beaches are beautiful and plentiful.
But it’s not just its bounty of beaches that beguiles. Mayo has an incredible number of idyllic islands, wilderness walks, heritage hotspots, majestic mountains, and a glorious greenway, all providing adventure activities or relaxing respite far from the madding crowd.
With so much on offer for all types of holidaymakers and the autumnal colours adding a shimmering warmth to the landscape, now is the perfect time to make your way to mesmerising Mayo. If you want destination inspiration, here are eleven excellent experiences in Yew County.
Walk around Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park
Take a trip to Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park for an invigorating and inspiring landscape. This is the third-largest national park in Ireland and is a wilderness area in the Nephin Beg mountains of northwest Mayo, hence the name.
And it certainly does live up to its moniker! This is the place to go if you want to escape the crowds. It is even home to Ireland’s most remote mountain – Slieve Carr.
The park has the largest Atlantic blanket bog in Europe and is the only Irish National Park that reaches all the way out to the sea. There are plenty of marked walks to enjoy in the park, but one of the gentler routes is the Claggen Mountain Coastal Trail. Follow the boardwalk through the bog and along the coast for picturesque views across the bay and toward Achill Island. Keep a lookout for birds, otters, seals, and a whole host of fantastic flora and fauna.
Come here after sunset to enjoy the clear skies and nighttime viewing platforms. This is Mayo’s Dark Sky Park, which means that the stargazing and nocturnal environment are some of the best you’ll find anywhere. You don’t need a telescope but wear warm clothes and bring a flask of tea. You will thank me later.
Cycle the Great Western Greenway
Get on your bike or put on your boots and gear up to enjoy the Great Western Greenway, Ireland’s longest off-road walking and cycling trail. This 42km traffic-free trail is a great way to leave behind the hustle and bustle and explore more of Mayo.
It follows the old Westport to Achill railway, and as you peddle, you’ll pass dramatic mountain scenery and views of Clew Bay with its many islands. The route is well-signposted, with plenty of places to stop for picnics and refreshments.
Along the route are interesting sites, visitor attractions, beaches, golf links, and further walking trails. If you fancy slowing down the pace, you can do the route over a few days and stay in the many accommodations. From farmhouses to fancy hotels, there is something to suit everyone.
Climb Croagh Patrick
Croagh Patrick soars above the surrounding countryside, beckoning you to lace up your hiking boots and tackle its steep sides.
Saint Patrick fasted for 40 days on the summit, but even before that, pagans are thought to have come here to celebrate the start of the harvest season. So, Croagh Patrick is one of the holiest mountains in Ireland. Around 1 million pilgrims each year try to make it to the summit.
Breathtaking views of Clew Bay and the Mayo countryside reward those who make it to the top. Although the views are pretty picturesque up the mountain, even though it takes about two hours to reach the top, allow yourself more time to factor in the many photo opportunities along the way.
Croagh Patrick is just 8km from Westport. You can park your car at the visitor centre at the start of the climb. Public buses also go to the visitor centre from Westport.
Drive to Keem Bay on Achill Island
After all that hiking and biking, give your legs a break and your senses a feast with a drive to Keem Bay, at the western end of Achill Island. With its soft white sand and clear aquamarine water sheltered by lush green cliffs, Keem Bay gives off serious Caribbean beach vibes.
The road to Keem Bay is a wonderful, winding clifftop route along Croaghaun Mountain. The road twists and turns and throws up terrific sea views. Watch out for the sheep sunbathing on the grassy verge, and get ready for a picture-perfect photo op when Keem Bay peeps out between the bends in the road. It’s like paradise, playing peek-a-boo with the passengers. Honestly, views don’t get much better than this.
Visit the Ceide Fields
Step back in time and marvel at Ireland’s most extensive Neolithic site. The Ceide Fields is a fascinating archaeological treasure nearly 6,000 years old and contains the oldest known stone-walled fields in the world.
Located in north Mayo, about 8km from Ballycastle, this unique place overlooks the wild Atlantic Ocean with the mighty waves crashing and bashing the cliffs below. But the drama doesn’t end there. Step inside the visitor centre and a 4,000-year-old pine tree unearthed from a nearby bog stops you in your tracks with its arresting beauty.
The Ceide Fields Visitor Centre has excellent exhibitions and audiovisual displays. During the guided tours, you will learn how to use a centuries-old method of probing to uncover a buried wall. Kids will love this!
The bogland is beautiful, and you’ll learn so much about the unique ecology of this ever-changing landscape. You’ll also discover the history of the Ceide Fields and the everyday lives of the people who built them.
Stand-up Paddleboard at Old Head
Old Head Beach near Louisburgh is a strikingly beautiful sandy beach sheltered by high cliffs and native woodland stretching to the shoreline. An incredibly pleasant way to explore the beach on Clew Bay is to take to the calm waters on a stand-up paddleboard.
Stand-up paddleboarding is actually a relatively easy water sport to get the hang of, and once you do, it is super enjoyable and fun. As you glide along the water, the sun on your face and fresh air filling your lungs, there is a real sense of freedom and tranquillity. As for the views, well, you can gaze at one of the last old native woodlands in Mayo, bathe in the beauty of the blue flag beach and stare at Croagh Patrick as it soars into the sky. Nature really puts on a show for you here.
Take in the Views at Tale of the Tongs on Inishturk
While at Old Head, swap your board for a ferry and venture out to Inishturk.
It would be remiss to come to Mayo and not visit one of the many islands off its coast. One of the most fascinating and easily accessible is Inishturk. Situated just 14.5km (9 miles) off Mayo’s coast, ferries operate all year round from Roonagh pier, roughly 6km from Louisburgh, near Old Head.
Inishturk has been inhabited since 4,000 BC, and an art installation called The Tale of Tongs marks centuries of cultural gatherings on the island. Situated at the highest point of the island, The Tale of Tongs is a remarkably peaceful resting place and viewpoint.
Using a mix of old and modern building techniques, the installation is made of local stone, glass and steel and blends beautifully with the landscape. The name is a reference to the old custom of using tongs to take a piece of coal from your fire and giving it to someone leaving for America or England. The coal is placed in the other person’s fire with the tongs beside it, which becomes a promise that they will one day return and bring the coal and tongs back and rekindle the fire. The Tale of The Tongs represents the global Irish diaspora.
The 55-minute ferry ride to the island is great fun with fabulous views, and the walk up to the Tale of the Tongs provides even more beautiful views across the Connemara coastline. With this being an inhabited island, there is plenty to see and do for people of all ages, and you can even stay overnight to spend more time on intriguing Inishturk.
Tour of The Lost Valley
Take a trip back in time and enjoy a walking history lesson that takes you past breathtaking scenery as you hear about one of the bleakest times in Irish history: the Great Famine.
The Lost Valley is a ruined famine village and an active working farm. Situated on the edge of Ireland, as remote as can be, people from all over the world have taken this terrific tour that gives a glimpse into the past and cultural heritage of the west of Ireland. Walking through the village, you’ll see the tumbled-down walls of the cabins where people lived until the mid-1800s when they were evicted and driven out. See the potato plots and other points of interest that show the hardships endured by the villagers. There is something surreal about hearing bleak tales surrounded by such beauty.
As this is also a working farm, you can experience modern farm life here with a pet lamb feeding, sheepdog demonstration and, sometimes, a sheep shearing demo.
The Lost Valley is located beyond the end of the road (I told you it was remote) as you drive straight out through the village of Louisburgh. Tours last about three hours, and you should wear sturdy shoes. The mixture of history, heritage, and heartfelt stories makes this experience one that will stay with you for a long time to come.
Stroll the Sands of Cross Beach
With some of the best waves on the West Coast, Cross Beach is a hotspot for surfers, but for a more gentle way to enjoy this attractive beach, take off your shoes and stroll along the soft golden sand. We say gentle, but you might be wrestling with the North Atlantic winds that blow straight onto the beach. It is blustery but beautiful.
Just a ten-minute drive from Louisburgh on the west coast of the Mullet Peninsula, this beach has won a Green Coast Award for its environmental excellence thanks to its outstanding water quality and natural, unspoilt environment.
Walking on the beach, you’ll have views of the uninhabited islands of Inis Gé and Inisglora, and, this being Mayo, there are remnants of the past everywhere, including two standing stones on the beach dating back to 2,000 BC.
Stay in Clare Island Lighthouse
Fancy spending a few nights clinging to the cliffs of Clew Bay? No, this isn’t a Bear Grylls survival special; it’s a tad tamer than that. You can stay in a Clare Island lighthouse. Yup, an actual lighthouse perched high on the cliffs at the entrance to Clew Bay.
The listed building has been transformed into a luxurious sanctuary for weary travellers. The lighthouse is now a fully catered boutique accommodation but still retains all its original charm and unbeatable sea views. This nautical but nice lighthouse is one of the most unique ways to experience and enjoy the Wild Atlantic Way of Mayo. You can fall asleep listening to the sound of the sea surrounded by nature, although, staying in a lighthouse you might be too excited to sleep.
Wander Around Westport House
From one wondrous heritage property to another, Westport House, in the heart of Westport town, is one of the very few remaining privately owned manor houses left in Ireland.
On a self-guided tour, as you wander from room to room, you’ll discover the fascinating history about the family behind Westport House. As you enter each jaw-droppingly gorgeous room filled with treasures you’ll no doubt vow to buy a lotto ticket so you can also have a family home just like this one!
Of course, what is a stately home without extensive grounds filled with all manner of things to do? Westport House delivers on this front too with a Birds of Prey Centre, blooming beautiful formal gardens and tracks and trails through wonderful woodland and parkland passing tumbling waterfalls, terraces and promenades. At this time of year, the lofty ancient oaks are resplendent as the large leaves turn from green to shimmering gold. As the leaves yield to Autumn and fall to the ground they crunch underfoot adding an additional romance to the already wild romantic walks around Westport House. It really is the most wonderful time of the year.
Things to do in Mayo
With its beaches and bays, peaks and parks, history and heritage, Mayo is a destination for those looking to escape the masses and embrace the moment. Infused with wildness, it is a place with heartfelt stories and experiences and unique opportunities to immerse yourself in the natural landscape. It is rugged, remote, and incredibly romantic, and it will put a fire in your heart that you’ll promise to return and rekindle.