Achill is the largest of the Irish islands, it lies to the Northwest of the Corraun Peninsula to which it’s connected by a small bridge and reminiscent of the hornet, it too flies without regard to its limitations.
Situated on the very edge of the country, along
the aptly named WIld Atlantic Way, Belmullet (“Mouth of the Mullet”) is an isthmus,
positioned between the bays of Blacksod and Broadhaven and somewhat sheltered from the
wild Atlantic Ocean, which stretches for thousands of miles westwards.
The ancient amphitheatres were built in the form of an incomplete circle, the opening of which was occupied by the stage, the centre of attention and connection point between the two ends of the tiers. Clew Bay inspires this exact same feeling: the city surrounding it, in place of the amphitheatre, holding hands, all eyes turning toward the ocean that winds between the many islands of the basin (365 in fact, just like the days in the year according to legend), as if in a common connection.
The Clew Bay Garden Trail offers not only a much coveted insider’s view of select gardens, but a chance to bring your questions, thoughts and ideas to the gardeners themselves as well as sharing knowledge and enthusiasm with other visitors.
The Greenway is the 42 km stretch of path which was formerly the Victorian train track of the Midlands Great Western Railway which has become a recreational phenomenon.The 42 km route is broken up into three journeys: Westport to Newport (11 km); Newport to Mulranny (18 km); and Mulranny to Achill (13 km).
Protection signifies a common and ancient attribute - love. We protect what we care about, what we think is important, that which has a place in our hearts and we do so with words or with silence, with our hands, our body or with just a cover.
Killala Bay is formed out of the estuary of the River Moy and straddles counties Mayo and Sligo, forming part of the Wild Atlantic Way route. It has long been a place for famously good salmon fishing, a fact that became internationally known in part due to the second home of the Republic of Ireland’s football team manager, Jack Charlton.
A beautiful beach in Killala Bay.
Killary Harbour (An Caoláire Rua) is the Republic’s only glacial fjord which slices the mountains north and south of it, creating a natural border between counties Galway and Mayo. Stretching 16 kilometres in length, it runs 45 metres deep the unspoilt scenery has a magnetic calmness about it.
Enjoy Cross Beach with your family!
A stunningly scenic spot on the southwest corner of Clew Bay, Louisburgh offers the ocean with sandy beaches, as well as lakes and access to both mountains and islands. To get close to nature or just to breathe fresh, clean sea breezes, Louisburgh serves as a great base.
For an easy stroll, while observing life in a rock pool, the beach at Old Head provides a lot of
interest and has a satisfying cliff walk and the best woodland habitat around, with excellent
bird-watching opportunities.
Clare Island and Inishturk can be easily reached by regular ferry from Roonagh Pier, near Louisburgh and the boat journey is part of the adventure.
Blacksod Bay may seem like an unlikely place to have a connection to a strategic World War II operation, but this remote lighthouse on the southern end of the Mullet Peninsula in Erris, on the edge of Europe, far from the action, played a pivotal role in one of the greatest dramas of the 20th century--the D-Day landings in France.
Mulranny was named Ireland’s Best Small Tourism Town in 2013 and lives up to its name. As a scenic village situated on Wild Atlantic Way coastal route, it overlooks the expanse of Clew Bay with all its islands, including the western sleeping giant Clare Island. In 2011, Mulranny won an EDEN Award for being a European Destination of Excellence.
Founded in the 1400’s by Pope Callistus for the Augustinians, the abbey is perched on the gently lapping shore and its ruins and maintained graveyard make for a contemplative and interesting hour or two.
Mayo’s historical currents meet in intriguing ways in the coastal parish of Burrishoole in Southwest Mayo.Somewhat eclipsed by the latter day and artificially created town of Newport (formerly Newport-Pratt) the suppressed habitation of Burrishoole lives on in the hearts and cultural memories of many in this corner of Mayo.
A lovely small town, Newport (Baile Ui Fhiachain) is nestled on the mouth of the Black Oak River on the north-east shores of Clew Bay in the Barony of Burrishoole, some 11 km from Westport on the road to Achill and 18 km from Castlebar.
There is something profoundly literary about the life of a salmon. Born into the waters of a river, they head to the mouth of the river at a young age, fattening up and preparing for the changes in water salinity that they will experience as adults.
the feeling that explodes in your chest when you reach the mouth of the River Moy, in Killala Bay, at the most eastern point of the North coast of the County, A feeling that can be described as a wave, a force that permeates through you, created by the interaction with nature and one that whilst not visible, reverberates inside you like the truest of truths.
The fjord is almost a peninsula in reverse, the sea claiming its right to be habitable as it moves forward into the unknown. From the sea, the land perches on the horizon.
A heritage town, Westport is architecturally pleasing to walk around, notable buildings include Westport House, designed by German architect Richard Cassels, the Holy Trinity Church and the former Bank of Ireland building on the mall, one of the first branches to be established outside of Dublin. The town is a great base from which to explore South Mayo.
Westport House was built by the Browne family in the 18th Century and the family own and run the property to this day. As the ancestral seat of the Marquesses of Sligo, the house has great historical significance. In 1960, Denis, 10th Marquess of Sligo, opened the house and its lush grounds to tourists and since the passing of the 11th Marquess of Sligo in July 2014, the house has passed to his five granddaughters.
The term was coined in 2011 by Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, but the route was always there.
The Wild Atlantic Way (WAW) spans from Ireland’s most northerly point, Malin Head in
Donegal to its most southerly, Mizen Head in Cork, taking in Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Galway,
Clare, and Kerry along the way. 2,500 kilometres of stunning coastline, staggering cliffs,
windswept lighthouses, Blue Flag beaches and national parks make this a special route.
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