1. Climb Ireland’s most famous holy mountain - Croagh Patrick – which is 764m high. The route is approximately a 12km return trip and the views of Clew Bay are extraordinary. For those less able to reach the summit, the midway viewpoints are equally beautiful.
2. Cycle the 42km Great Western Greenway, from Westport to Achill, one of Ireland’s longest off-road cycling and walking trail, most of which is traffi c-free – ideal for exploring some of Mayo’s lovely villages & spectacular scenery.
3. Visit Westport House & Adventure Park for a day of family fun! The house, built in 1730, is a treasure trove of artefacts & artwork, and the Pirate Adventure Park is great for kids under 12.
4. Explore Ireland’s largest island, Achill Island. The island offers rugged landscape, dramatic cliffs and secluded beaches. Achill is a fantastic location for those wanting to explore the great outdoors!
5. Explore some of Ireland’s most spectacular walks, some of which include loop walks at Erris Head and Ceathrú Thaidhg – both located in Erris, a region that has been voted by The Irish Times as the ‘best place in Ireland to go wild!’
6. Fearless Grace O’Malley is the 16th century legendary Irish Pirate Queen whose castles & forts can be still seen all over Mayo. The stunning 40km Atlantic Drive is a wonderful way to explore some of her former sites.
7. Ireland’s fi rst gold-tier International Dark Sky Park encompasses the Wild Nephin Wilderness and Ballycroy National Park in northwest Mayo. The majestic mountains, the meandering rivers and the wild Atlantic coastline provide a stunning background in which to enjoy a spot of star-gazing or astrophotography.
8. Check out the Céide Fields & Downpatrick Head along the dramatic north Mayo coastline. With megalithic tombs and ancient settlements, the fields are older than Egypt’s pyramids. You cannot help but appreciate this prehistoric landscape as you look out over the Atlantic Ocean to the Dún Briste sea stack and beyond.
9. Enjoy a boat trip along the Monasteries of the Moy and visit some of Mayo’s ancient abbeys, chapels, towers, churches, refectories and cloisters.
10. Mayo has so many fascinating islands – each with its own unique history & heritage. Some are still inhabited and some are deserted, but nearly all of them are home to some of the world’s most endangered species – wildlife, birdlife, flora & fauna. Discover Clare Island, Collanmore Island, Inishturk, Inis Gé, or Achill to name just a few.
