Crossmolina: River, Trails and History

Crossmolina lies on the N59, about 9 kilometres west of Ballina. The River Deel flows through the town to the shores of Lough Conn; Crossmolina is close to the lake’s northern shore. The river, the lake and named trails in and around the town offer practical starting points for planning a trip. Visitors who want to combine scenery, walking and local history can choose from routes of different lengths and historic sites.

Walking trails by distance

Four Crossmolina walking trails—Gortnor Abbey, Grange, Deel Castle and Enniscoe House Loop—pass through farmland, along country roads and through woodland. Their stated lengths and trail markings help guide your choice:

• The Gortnor Abbey Walk is 4 kilometres long and marked with white arrows.
• The Grange Walk is 8 kilometres long; blue arrows mark the route.
• The Deel Castle Walk is 11 kilometres long and marked in red.
• The Enniscoe House Loop Walk covers 3 kilometres and is marked with purple arrows.

Other walking options in Crossmolina include the Town Trail and the River Walk. The Gortnor Abbey Loop Walk starts at the children’s playground and is about 4 kilometres long. One starting point for the National Loop Walks—Enniscoe—is in the Heritage Centre car park; the circular routes are open all day, every day. Trails can be wet and muddy, especially in winter. Distances and markings may change, so it is advisable to check the latest information before setting out.

The River Deel and the surrounding area

The River Deel connects the town with Lough Conn: it flows through Crossmolina and on to the lake shore. Rare freshwater crayfish and freshwater pearl mussels are found in the river; such populations may change over time. The town’s position on the river and near the lake’s northern shore offers a clear reference point for the surrounding landscape.

Near Crossmolina, the North Mayo Heritage Centre is located on the grounds of the Enniscoe Estate, in a wooded setting on the shore of Lough Conn. The centre combines family history research, an organic garden and an event venue. People from North Mayo will find resources and expertise there for researching their ancestry. The organic garden is part of Irish Seed Savers and offers tours that can be booked through the website. Check the current availability of tours before making specific plans.

Enniscoe House is also part of the surrounding area and is one of Ireland’s protected historic houses. Since the 1660s, it has passed down through inheritance over twelve generations to its present owner. The house is surrounded by woodland with a network of paths; the estate also includes restored ornamental and kitchen gardens.

History and local character

The ruins of Crossmolina Castle stand opposite St Mary’s Church at the end of Church Street. In 1526, the castle, together with Castlehill Castle, was destroyed by O’Donnell, Chief of Tirconnell, at the request of the Bourkes. St Mary’s Church was built in 1809 with financial support from the Board of First Fruits and forms part of Crossmolina’s ecclesiastical heritage from the early 19th century. Together, the castle site and the church provide a tangible reference point for the town’s history.

Local events and flavours may also play a part in choosing when to travel: the Crossmolina Community Festival takes place every year in late July. Check the specific festival dates when planning your trip. Visitors can sample locally brewed craft beers from Reel Deel Brewing Company at various pubs in Crossmolina.

More tours in the surrounding area

The nearby Nephin Beg Range offers walkers additional hikes of varying difficulty. Nephin Mór can also be climbed. From Crossmolina, the route follows the R315 via Lahardane and then continues to the car parks; no distance is provided for this route. When comparing walking options, you can consider the named local trails with known distances alongside hikes in the surrounding area for which no distance is specified here.

Discover more destinations: Béal Easa, Ross Port, Breaffy, Mallaranny, Castlebar, Kiltimagh, Belmullet, Louisburgh.

For the wider travel overview: County Mayo.