County Mayo: Mountain Trails, Coast and Culture

Croagh Patrick stands 764 m (2,507 ft) high and has been a pilgrimage destination since pre-Christian times. Here in County Mayo, dramatic mountain scenery meets coastal trails, museums and places with a long religious and cultural history. When planning your trip, it is worth considering the different experiences on offer: a summit route, a multi-day long-distance trail and walks with views of the Atlantic coast each offer a different focus.

Hiking between the summit route and the coast

The main route to the summit of Croagh Patrick starts in Murrisk on the Louisburgh Road (R335). It is 7 km long, including the return journey. The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail offers a different scale: this 59.9 km long-distance trail connects ancient monastic heritage with the mountain scenery of County Mayo and views over Clew Bay. The trail is designed to take three days and passes through coastal and mountain landscapes. This makes it easy to choose between the two hiking options according to how much time you plan to spend on your trip.

In the northwest of County Mayo, Ceann Iorrais, also known as Erris Head, lies at the northernmost tip of the Mullet Peninsula. The Erris Head Loop Walk offers coastal views and opportunities to experience local wildlife. Atlantic seals, porpoises and bottlenose dolphins can occasionally be spotted below the steep cliffs. Such sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed.

Clifftop views and wide-open landscapes

Downpatrick Head combines coastal views with religious history. From there, you can see the Staggs of Broadhaven islands and Dún Briste, a sea stack. The site also includes the location of a former church attributed to Patrick, a holy well and a stone cross. This makes a visit a blend of landscape and traditional heritage, with the site's significance extending beyond its views.

Further northwest, Wild Nephin National Park encompasses the low-lying Owenduff Bog as well as the peaks and valleys of the Nephin Beg mountain range. The Great Western Greenway is also part of the National Cycle Network. These varied landscapes give County Mayo several distinct facets, from bogland and mountain valleys to the coastal trails around Erris Head.

Pilgrimage history and museums

Knock Shrine tells the story of the 1879 apparition at Knock and the development of the site into an international pilgrimage destination. The National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park offers a different historical perspective: objects, rare archival photographs and films tell the story of Ireland's rural past. The museum offers workshops, talks and guided tours throughout the year. The gardens at Turlough Park are home to a variety of birdlife, flora and fauna, and the site is designated as a Green Heritage site.

Mayo Local Link's Route 454 operates a daily bus service connecting the National Museum at Turlough Park with Castlebar and Ballina. If you plan to combine a visit to the museum with a bus journey, check the timetable when planning your day trip.

On Achill, Achill Experience brings two themes together under one roof: the museum presents the island's rich heritage through an immersive experience, and guided tours featuring native and exotic aquarium animals are also available. The Solas Visitor Centre, meanwhile, presents immersive exhibitions on the heritage of the Mullet Peninsula in three galleries. One gallery is devoted to local maritime history and the legacy of four local lighthouses.

Art, history and experiences in Westport

Westport Estate offers tours of an 18th-century historic house built on the ancestral foundations of the Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley. The estate also features an outdoor adventure park and woodland trails. For views of Clew Bay, Westport Cruises offers a daily cruise exploring a seal colony, John Lennon's island and the bay's 365 islands.

Westport also has a dedicated place for art and crafts: Custom House Studios & Gallery is an artist-run studio and gallery on the Quay. The venue includes seven fine art studios, a print room and two gallery spaces. Those interested in surfing can also find SurfMayo in County Mayo, a surf school recognised by the Irish Surfing Association.

Discover more destinations: Bellagarvaun, Castlebar, Swinford, Mallaranny, Kiltimagh, Cong, Claremorris, Killadoon, Hollymount, Ballytoohy, Ballyhaunis, Ballinrobe, Toormakeady, Murrisk, Westport, Mayo, Claggan, Dooagh, Béal Easa, Keel, Ballina, Knock, Neale, Achill Sound, Kilsallagh, Crossmolina, Newport, Bunnacurry, Breaffy, Coogue, Aghamore, Glencorrib, Gweesalia, Aasleagh, Cross, Killala, Belmullet, Doohooma, Cornaroya, Charlestown, Louisburgh, Ballycastle, The Quay, Ballyglass, Partry, Doogort, Ross Port, Sheean, Valley, Islandeady, Tawnyinah and Finny.

For the wider travel overview: Connacht.