West coast wonders
North County Mayo is the perfect destination to get away from it all, whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, a blissful spa or some deep history. Stephen Meyler takes the road west
Historic Ballina
A must-see in Ballina is the Jackie Clarke Collection. Housed in a former bank (where the garden is a popular spot for weddings), this collection spanning 400 years began life as the passion of Jackie Clarke, a pioneer of the smoked salmon industry. The collection’s highlights include an original 1916 Proclamation. Admission is free, clarkecollection.ie
Belleek Castle & Woods
Also in Ballina, this 1,000-acre woodland on the banks of the River Moy has some great forest trails, many of them leading to the 19th-Century Belleek Castle. A tour of the Castle ends with a visit to the dungeons, which house a collection of arms and armour, dinosaur fossils and antiques.
Connacht Whiskey Distillery
Just outside Ballina on the Moy Estuary, the Connacht Whiskey Company produces pot still whiskey (as well as vodka, gin and poitín!) and has a great distillery tour.
Discover Mayo’s deep history
At Céide Fields and Belderrig Valley Experience, discover the secrets of the distant past. At the Belderrig Research and Study Centre, visitors can take part in guided walks, demonstrations and hands-on activities like turf-cutting. No visit to the area is complete without a look at the Céide Fields Interpretative Centre.
Foxford Woollen Mills
Founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1892, Foxford Woollen Mills is one of the most famous weaving centres in the country, and you will find their textiles in many local hotels, including the Ice House in Ballina. A new interactive tour shows how craftspeople work on some of the world’s finest weaves, using generationsold techniques to create contemporary cloth. In the visitor centre café, chef Kathleen Lally has created a gourmet experience to complete your visit.
Enniscoe House Gardens
Hidden among the woods on the shores of Lough Conn, the grounds of this great old house have lakeside trails, a carefully restored Victorian walled garden, 19thCentury pleasure grounds and host the North Mayo Heritage Centre, open from April to October.
Take to the water
Spending time on the water is one of the best things to do in north Mayo. Outstanding lakes, rivers and a spectacular coastline can be explored by stand-up paddleboarding (SUPing). If you’re feeling more energetic, then a kayak tour will give you a unique way to see the area’s rivers, lakes and coastline. In particular, sea kayaking from Ballycastle towards Downpatrick Head is an experience you won’t soon forget. If you prefer not to get too wet, walking to the windswept Head is rewarded by the view of the sea-stack Dún Briste.