- Croagh Patrick: Ireland’s holy mountain, a 764-meter peak near Westport, associated with St. Patrick’s 40-day fast. Visitors can expect a challenging 2-3 hour hike to the summit, with panoramic views of Clew Bay and a small chapel at the top. The annual Reek Sunday pilgrimage draws crowds, but the trail is open year-round for hikers with proper gear.
- Westport House and Gardens: An 18th-century stately home in Westport, set on 400 acres with views of Clew Bay. Visitors can expect guided tours of the Georgian mansion, showcasing period furnishings and the Browne family history, plus walks through woodlands, gardens, and lakes. The Pirate Adventure Park, with rides and a zipline, is ideal for families.
- Achill Island: Ireland’s largest island, connected by a bridge from Mulranny, known for its dramatic cliffs and beaches. Visitors can expect scenic drives along the Atlantic Drive, visits to Keem Bay and Slievemore Deserted Village, and activities like surfing or cycling. The island’s pubs and cultural events offer a taste of Mayo’s Irish language heritage.
- Ballintubber Abbey: A 13th-century abbey near Ballintubber, known as “the abbey that refused to die” for its continuous use since 1216. Visitors can expect guided tours of the Gothic and Romanesque interiors, with insights into its history tied to Celtic kings and pilgrimages. The serene grounds and nearby Tóchar Phádraig trail connect to Croagh Patrick.
- Céide Fields: One of the world’s oldest known field systems, a 5,500-year-old Neolithic site near Ballycastle. Visitors can expect a visitor center with exhibits on Stone Age farming, guided tours of the preserved fields and megalithic tombs, and stunning cliff views. The interactive displays and bogland walks appeal to history and nature lovers.
- Wild Nephin National Park: A 15,000-hectare wilderness in the Nephin Beg Mountains, one of Ireland’s most remote areas. Visitors can expect hiking trails like the Bangor Trail, with views of bogs, lakes, and mountains, and chances to spot deer or golden eagles. The park’s visitor center in Ballycroy provides maps and ecological insights. Ideal for solitude seekers.
- Clare Island: A small island off Louisburgh, accessible by ferry, once home to pirate queen Grace O’Malley. Visitors can expect tours of the 16th-century Clare Island Castle, coastal walks to a lighthouse and abbey, and cycling routes with Atlantic views. The island’s quiet beaches and pub offer a peaceful escape with rich history.
- The Great Western Greenway: A 42km off-road cycling and walking trail from Westport to Achill Island, following an old railway line. Visitors can expect scenic routes through farmland, bogs, and coastal views, with bike rentals available in Westport and Newport. The trail is flat and family-friendly, with stops at charming villages like Mulranny.
- Foxford Woollen Mills: A historic wool mill in Foxford, founded in 1892, showcasing Mayo’s textile heritage. Visitors can expect guided tours of the working mill, demonstrations of weaving and spinning, and a shop selling woollen goods. The on-site café and museum detail the mill’s social impact and founder Sister Agnes Morrogh-Bernard’s legacy.
- Turlough Park and National Museum of Ireland – Country Life: A museum in Turlough, near Castlebar, exploring rural Irish life from 1850-1950. Visitors can expect free entry to exhibits on farming, crafts, and folklore, with artifacts like spinning wheels and traditional furniture. The 19th-century Turlough House and its gardens offer scenic walks, a café, and family-friendly events.
Attractions
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth\ – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Mayo:
Ireland’s county Mayo offers dramatic scenery and ancient heritage, with the Cliffs of Moher’s rugged beauty and Croagh Patrick’s pilgrimage trail providing stunning vistas. The town of Westport features Georgian architecture and access to Clew Bay’s islands, while the Ceide Fields showcase a prehistoric farming landscape. Other attractions include the celebrity beaches of Achill Island. Mayo is Ireland’s third largest county by size (5,398 square km) and 18th largest by population (137,970). Population peaked at 388,887 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 109,525 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Mayo is Ireland’s tenth most visited tourist county with around 218,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
