COUNTY MAYO - TOWNS AND VILLAGES

Westport

Westport, designated one of Bord Failte's Heritage Towns, is situated in the shadow of Croagh Patrick, overlooking Clew Bay. One of the few planned towns in the Country, Westport was designed in the 18th Century by James Wyatt. It has a beautiful tree lined boulevard known as The Mall, running parallel to the Carrowbeg River. The town boasts many fine restaurants, specializing particularly in seafood and many fine traditional pubs, all providing a friendly ambience and warm Irish hospitality. An excellent 18-hole Championship Golf Course is located on the Golf Course Road, horseback riding and pony trekking are on offer all year round. Clay pigeon shooting, paintballing, hill walking, sailing and adventure sports are among the many other activities offered. Westport is also a leading sea angling center. Another key attraction in Westport is The Clew Bay Heritage Center, located at the Harbor.

There are many festivals and events taking place in Westport every year: Westport Horse and Pony Show (May/June), Westport Folk and Blue Grass Festival and Westport Sea Angling Festival (both June), Westport Music Festival and Gaelforce West Adventure Festival (both Aug), Westport Horse Fair (Sept) and Westport Arts Festival (Oct).

Louisburgh

The attractive town of Louisburgh, or Kilgeever as it used to be known, is built on the Bunowen River. It was constructed in 1795 by the 3rd Earl of Altamount to house Catholic refugees escaping sectarian conflict in the north of Ireland. Louisburgh is a beautiful small town and retains many 18th century features in style and scale.

It is famous for its wide range of unspoiled beaches, famed for their clean bathing waters and untainted sandy coves. Beaches in the Louisburgh area include Carramore, Old Head and Bertra, while beaches in nearby Killadoon have been rated as the best in Europe, i.e. Tallabawn (Silver Strand) and Dooaghtry. Louisburgh has lots of character and the surrounding town lands are packed full of history and charm. It is an area of immense natural beauty with Croagh Patrick to the east, the Atlantic to the west, the Sheaffrey and Mweelrea Mountains to the south and Clew Bay to the north.

There are numerous interesting walks to discover in and around Louisburgh, with magnificent scenery thrown in for good measure. Louisburgh has a rich archaeological heritage with over 700 known archaeological monuments, and 20 areas of scientific interest. There are court-tombs at Furmoyle and Aillemore, a megalithic wedge-tomb at Srahwee, abbeys at Kilgeever and Murrisk, a clapperbridge (stone bridge with 37 arches) at Killeen, and numerous other monuments, especially around Killadoon. Roonagh Pier, (approx 4 miles from the town) is the departure point for ferries to Clare Island and Inishturk. Westport is approx 14 miles north and Leenane is approx 20 miles to the south.

Ballina

Ballina, (gaelic Béal an Átha) home of the famous River Moy, is Mayo's largest town. There is a rich variety of pubs, restaurants and nightclubs in the town, which is famous for its hospitality. Among Ballina's key visitor attractions are the ruins of Moyne Abbey, and Rosserk Friary dating back to the 15th century and the impressive St. Muredach's Cathedral stands imposingly on the banks of the River Moy. The River Moy is internationally acknowledged as an exceptional salmon fishery, producing several thousand salmon to the rod annually. The famous Ridge Pool, the salmon angler's paradise, is located in the heart of the town.

Castlebar

Castlebar (gaelic Caisleán an Bharraigh) is the county town and also the administrative seat for county Mayo. It is a busy bustling Market Town. Castlebar was originally a garrison town and derives its name from a settlement around the de Barra Castle in the 11th century. A town steeped in history with one of the oldest buildings, Christchurch, whose foundation stones were laid in 1739. Since then it has featured in the battles of 1798 and has been the birthplace of many a famous son. You can take a stroll round Lough Lannagh and visit the Mayo Peace Park. A must visit is the National Museum of Country Life in Turlough.

Claremorris

Nestled in central Connaught, the town of Claremorris (Irish: Clár Chlainne Mhuiris, 'the plain of Clann Mhuiris') is situated midway between Galway and Sligo in the heart of beautiful Co. Mayo. The town derived its name from Maurice de Prendergast, a Norman who came to Ireland in 1169. Claremorris is a vibrant and thriving town steeped in history. It is an area of rolling drumlins, eskers, woods and impressive lakes. Westwards from Claremorris, looking over a totally unspoiled environment, Croagh Patrick can be seen in the distance. Wherever you go in Claremorris you will find a Céad Míle Fáilte on the lips of everyone you meet. Their hospitality and friendliness will draw you back time after time.

Cong

The Gaelic name for Cong, Cunga Feichin, is very informative and revealing. Cung means a narrow strip of land and is situated on a narrow isthmus of cavernous limestone between Lough Mask and Lough Corrib. The majestic monastic remains that adorn Cong today are the relics of a monastery built by the High King of Ireland, Turlach O'Connor in 1120 for the Augustinians. The monastery continued as a site of worship and learning until it was suppressed in the reign of King Henry VIII. Stroll around the monastic cloisters and cast your mind back to the psalm chanting monks following the ornate Cross of Cong, which is now in the National Museum. The Market Cross in the village commemorates two former abbots of the monastery. A stroll through Cong and its hinterland is a microcosmic trip through the history of Ireland and its people. No trace today remains of Feichin's haven by the river but the tranquility, clear water and abundant supply of fish that tempted Feichin to settle in Cong are still there to be savored, enjoyed and appreciated nearly 1400 years later.

Cross (An Crois)

A great battle took place between the Firbolgs and the Tuatha de Danann (ancient tribes of Ireland) on the great plain of Moytura in Cross. They played the first ever hurling match on those plains. The Firbolgs outshone that day, but the battle was won by the Tuatha de Danann. Ballymagibbon Cairn was erected to celebrate the battle. From Christian times you can still see the ruins of St. Fura's church at Ballymagibbon (7th Century). An interesting relic of this old ruin is now placed in the porch of Cross church. It is a carved stone having in relief the figure of a child.

Mayo Abbey

Mayo Abbey is situated in the heart of County Mayo. It has a rural, unspoiled beauty reminiscent of an older Ireland. It lies hidden away off the main thoroughfare in the area known as the 'Plains of Mayo' with its ancient stone walls and thorn hedged land divisions. Known throughout the Christian world as 'Mayo of the Saxons', Mayo Abbey is a small rural village in South Mayo. It is located 10 miles south of Castlebar, 6 miles from Claremorris and 3 miles from Balla. Founded by St. Colman of Lindesfarne circa 670, Mayo Abbey is one of the most important monastic sites in Western Europe. Mayo Abbey was 300 years old when Viking Dublin was founded. Extending over an area of approximately 15 square miles, it is predominantly a farming community, with over 432 households and a population of 1,210 (parish census 2009).

Mulranny

Mulranny - in Irish 'Maoil Raithne' or 'Malla Raithne' (Hill of the Ferns) - is situated on the isthmus between Clew Bay and Blacksod Bay in County Mayo, Ireland, and is only 25 minutes drive from Westport and within 15 minutes drive of Achill Sound and Ballycroy National Park. Rossturk Castle is a historic castle close to Mulranny. It was one of the strongholds of the famous O'Malley Clan - the pirate queen, Grace O'Malley (Granuaile), being their most famous figure in Irish history. Mulranny has a beautiful beach, which for many years has been the deserved holder of Blue Flag status. 'Trá Buí' (Yellow Beach) is another long beach perfect for a leisurely stroll in the evening as the sun sets behind Clare Island and the mountains.

Murrisk

The village of Murrisk has a quite outstanding location - between the shores of Clew Bay and the majestic mountain of Croagh Patrick, known locally as 'The Reek'. The root of the village's name is uncertain, it comes either from 'Muir Riasc' which translates as 'a marsh by the sea' or the more romantic 'Muir Iasc', the sea monster worshipped in pagan times. Overlooking the sea is the dramatic National Famine Monument, an outstanding John Behan sculpture depicting a skeleton strung 'coffin ship'. In the 1400's an abbey was founded at Murrisk by Pope Callistus III. Since then the village has been renowned amongst pilgrims worldwide as the starting point for the ascent of Croagh Patrick and for the generosity of hospitality shown. Long and sandy Bertra Beach beside the village has been awarded the EU Blue Flag.

Newport

Newport nestles on the shore of Clew Bay, which is famous for its 365 Islands. Newport has the distinction of the Black Oak River flowing through its center and is a pleasant seaside resort and part of an attractive and unspoiled coastline. Newport is one of the start or finish points along the route of the new 'Great Western Greenway,' the longest off-road cycling/walking route in the country, which stretches from Wesport to Achill Island.