Discover Maam Cross

Maam Cross is a small settlement in Connemara at a junction on the main road from Galway to Clifden. The road north from Maam Cross passes through Maam Valley, surrounded by the Maumturk Mountains. To the south, the road leads into the Gaeltacht and to the villages of Screebe and Costelloe. Maam Cross is known in Irish as “a Teach Dóite”; the name means “the burnt house.”

Railway history in Maam Cross

Maam Cross railway station closed in 1935 along with the rest of the Galway–Clifden railway line. The station grounds include an upper and a lower platform, a water tower without a tank, a loading ramp, livestock pens and a goods shed. The structures therefore range from platforms to facilities for goods and livestock, showing different aspects of a former railway site. For travellers interested in local history, these tangible features of the site sit alongside the clearly dated end of the railway line.

Market square, livestock auction and fair

Maam Cross has been a market town for centuries, and livestock is still traded there weekly at auction. If you plan to visit the market, check locally on access and sale dates. The Maam Cross Fair is held annually on a Tuesday after the October Bank Holiday. The Maam Cross Big Fair features cattle, sheep, agricultural produce and Connemara ponies. If you are planning a trip specifically for a fair, check the exact event date. The different schedules are useful for planning: livestock trading takes place weekly, while the fair date is tied to the bank holiday.

Cycling and nearby trails

The Derroura Mountain Bike Trail Network runs for more than 16 kilometres between Maam Cross and Oughterard, close to Maam Cross. As permitted use can change, check whether cycling is currently allowed before setting out. Also nearby, Lackavrea has a 4-kilometre boardwalk through a bog alongside the Folore River. The two destinations differ in character: one is a trail network between two places, the other a boardwalk through a bog. The length and type of route can help you decide which option better suits your plans; also check the latest trail information before visiting.

Hotel and local landmarks

Peacockes Hotel in Maam Cross has 25 well-equipped rooms with en-suite bathrooms. As room offerings can change, check room details and availability before booking. The hotel serves selected Irish dishes prepared on site throughout the day; if this matters to your decision, ask whether it will be available during your travel dates. The grounds of Peacockes Hotel also feature a replica of the cottage from the film “The Quiet Man.” The accommodation, food offering and replica are specific points of reference for your search; confirm current room details and service conditions for your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kilkieran, Tuam, Galway, Furbo, Indreabhán, Cloghbrack, Inishbofin, Headford

Go to the main travel overview: Galway.