Ballinrobe: Trails, Golf and History

Ballinrobe offers several distinct points of interest to help you plan your trip: The Bowers Way leads to Lough Mask, the golf club combines parkland golf with practice facilities, and St. Mary’s Church and historic sites offer insights into the built heritage. There is also a family history research service. This means you can choose between walking, golf, history and research when deciding what to focus on during your trip.

Walking: The Bowers Way to Lough Mask

The Bowers Way walking trail runs from the town of Ballinrobe to Lough Mask. It follows the tree-lined Bowers towpath and then the River Robe. The extended route also includes a stretch through woodland in Creagh Woods. There are therefore two route options to consider: the route to Lough Mask and the longer version with the woodland section. If you plan to include a walk in your stay, this distinction can be a useful starting point for planning your day.

Golf with history and practice facilities

Ballinrobe Golf Club is a championship parkland course founded in 1895. It is located on the historic Cloonacastle Estate, which covers 300 acres. Practice facilities include a floodlit driving range with 12 hitting bays, dedicated chipping and pitching areas, and a large practice green. This provides a range of practice options: drives on the range and short shots in the designated areas. These features give the golf course its own focus alongside Ballinrobe’s walking and cultural attractions. The clubhouse is housed in a 250-year-old house and restored outbuildings; sporting facilities and historic buildings are part of the same club setting.

Historic sites and annual events

St. Mary’s Church was completed and officially opened in 1863. Four two-light windows by Harry Clarke depict early Irish saints. Ballinrobe’s historic trail includes, among other places, Augustine Abbey. The ruins of the Cavalry Barracks stand on the site of Ballinrobe Castle, near the Bowers’ Walk. The church, abbey and barracks thus offer different historical points of interest, from religious architecture to the history of the castle site. Ballinrobe Racecourse is also part of the town’s history: in 2021, the racecourse marked 100 years of horse racing. An annual Heritage Day draws visitors to the town; check current event dates before planning your visit.

Family history research in Ballinrobe

The South Mayo Family Research Centre is located in Ballinrobe. It offers a comprehensive service to people researching their family history and specialises in individually researched family history reports. The centre has digitised more than one million records; the collection may change over time. For travellers interested in genealogical research, the digitised records and specialised reports are two distinct aspects of this service. Family history research therefore adds its own approach to history alongside Ballinrobe’s other attractions.

Getting there by train and bus

The nearest train station to Ballinrobe is Claremorris, from where there is a bus connection. Check the timetable before setting off, as transport arrangements may change.

Discover more destinations: Toormakeady, Cornaroya, Ballytoohy, Tawnyinah, Doogort, Dooagh, Neale, Finny.

Return to the main travel overview: County Mayo.