Mayo the heartbeat of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way
Cead Mile Fáilte! Whether you intend on visiting the county for the first time, returning to Mayo to rediscover a favorite holiday destination or are back home to visit family or friends, you are always welcome to Mayo, the heartbeat of the Wild Atlantic Way. 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 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 Staggs of Broadhaven and 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 kite surfing. For something more low key, why not explore Erris and North Mayo, awarded the Best Place to go Wild 2013 by the 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 championship links golf in Carne Golf Links.
The Great Western Greenway connecting two of Mayo's premier tourist locations, Westport to Achill Island, offers an award-winning family friendly biking and walking trail with stunning scenery, historic villages, ancient ruined abbeys, arts and 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 at Turlough tells the story of rural life in Ireland through the years, while the Jackie Clarke Collection shares one man's genius collection of Irish historical material and Mayo's religious heritage reminds us 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 famous 16th Century a Pirate Queen of Connaught, is a fascinating insight into life here through the years. The Pirate Adventure Park has a host of fun activities and attractions for families young and old to enjoy.
Mayo is at its wildest and most adventurous along our stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way.
This 2,500km coastal driving route from the whale-rich waters of West Cork to the Aurora Borealis shimmering seas of Donegal is one of the most captivating, coastal driving routes in the world, on a par with California’s Pacific Coast Highway, South Africa’s Garden Route or the Great Ocean Road in Australia.
Expect thundering surf, epic cliffs, salt in your face, careening seabirds and phenomenally fresh seafood in cosy bars and coastal restaurants.
Key discovery points along the Mayo route include:
- Downpatrick Head, between Ballycastle village and the Céide Fields (ADD HYPERLINK TO CÉIDE FIELDS PAGE OF MAYO.IE) rises 40m above the sea with fantastic views of the Staggs of Broadhaven and Dún Briste, a sea stack that soars 45 metres into the sky just off the coastline – it was cut off by a storm in 1393 and the inhabitants had to be winched back on ropes. There’s also the ruins of a church founded by St Patrick and a WWII look-out shelter beside a spectacular cavernous blow-hole which now has a new land-art installation that is subtly spectacular. (LINK TO SPIRIT OF PLACE PAGE ON MAYO.IE)
- Keem Bay on Achill Island, a sickle-shaped strand scooped out of the mountains and fronting onto a bay that was once bloated with basking shark.
- Roonagh Pier just beyond Louisburgh is the gateway to some of Mayo’s finest offshore island communities on Inishturk and Clare Island.
Additional links to the Wild Atlantic Way in County Mayo