The West:Layout 1 02/05/2007 17:18 Page 185
which flows through the town is considered to be the best salmon
fishing river in Europe. The Tourist Information Office on Cathedral
Road is open throughout the summer, Monday to Saturday.
a
y
Gieltys Clew Bay
Dooagh,
Achill Island,
BALLINTUBBER
Co. Mayo
Ballintubber takes its name from St. Patrick “Baile Tobair Phadraig”
Clew B
Renowned for its traditional
meaning “the Townland of St. Patrick’s Well”. One of the highlights of
music sessions, Gielty’s has
this historic town is Ballintubber Abbey, a 13th century church which recently added a music venue to
has survived Oliver Cromwell’s destruction and remained in use for
its premises, which caters for up
to 250 people. Drop in for a
more than 780 years. The ancient pilgrim road, which leads to Croagh
friendly chat, visit the coffee
Patrick (some 22 miles away), runs from Ballintubber, where guided shop, enjoy the delicious bar
walks are available. For further insight into the past, try the Celtic
Furrow, where local Celtic roots are explored by a guide.
i
eltys
food or join in a music session.
Tel: (098) 43119
Email:
info@gieltys.com
BALLYCASTLE
G
Web:
www.gieltys.com
The pleasant town of Ballycastle is home to the Céide Fields, the most
extensive Stone Age monument in the world, consisting of field
systems, dwelling areas and megalithic tombs from 5,000 years ago.
The wild flora of the bogland is of international importance and the
area is bounded by some of the most spectacular rock formations and
cliffs in Ireland. The purpose-built Visitor Centre features displays and
exhibitions. Tel: (096) 43325.
BALLYHAUNIS
Follow in the footsteps and track the exploits of the great
A small and welcoming town, Ballyhaunis is surrounded by sparkling
pirate queen of the area, Grace O'Malley.
Historical trips of the inner Islands of Clew Bay
lakes and peaceful countryside. It is well known for the wealth of
Return trips and visits to Achill
historical artefacts and structures found nearby. Graceful abbeys and
Return trips and visits to Clare Island
churches add character to the town and its environs. The surrounding Return trips and visits to Inish Turk
area is rich in flora and fauna, especially birdlife. Its environmental
Cultural and ecological trips of Clew Bay
importance has been underlined recently with the designation of Lake
THE LADY
Seal, porpoise and whale watching
Mannin and Lake Annagh as Special Conservation Areas. Just 10km from
SLIEVEMORE
For booking and information contact
Knock Shrine, Ballyhaunis is also close to Knock International Airport.
(085) 1311453 OR (098) 26852
Westport Heritage Centre The Quay, Westport, Co. Mayo
THE BARONY OF ERRIS
The Erris region lies approximately 65km west of Ballina, and is one
of Europe’s last unspoilt territories of breathtaking scenery. The area
consists of four main sections: the Mullet Peninsula, home of the
Blacksod lighthouse, ancient ruins and early-Christian relics; the
Ballycroy coastal region, with a memorable route which links the town
of Westport with Bangor Erris; the Ribbon of Broadhaven Bay,
containing the rugged north coast of Mayo, the Céide Fields, heritage
sites and spectacular cliffs; and finally the Doohoma/Geesala
Peninsula, a quiet, magical area noted for its beaches and small
villages set against a backdrop of the distant mountains of Achill
Achill Pharmacy
Island and the Nephin Beg Mountain Range. An area of endless
surprises and echoes of a past which was famously recorded by John
Millington Synge who drew his observations of Erris into his drama
Achill Sound, Achill Island, Co. Mayo
The Playboy of the Western World.
THE BELMULLET PENINSULA
Tel: (098) 45248
For those in search of even more isolation and off-the-beaten-track Fax: (098) 45606
ambience than that offered elsewhere in Mayo, the ‘Mullet’ Peninsula
Email:
info@achillpharmacy.ie
should be high on the list. This 30km-long region is one of the most
sparsely populated in Ireland. The largest town on the peninsula is
Belmullet itself, founded in 1825 by a local landlord. The road south
from the town curves down along the peninsula to the village of
Eachléim, and near Blacksod Point are the attractive beaches of
Mullaghroe and Elly. Doonamo Point to the north of the peninsula is
the most accessible of the area’s several promontory forts. For
information on the area, contact Erris Tourism on (097) 81500.
CASTLEBAR
Castlebar is the county town of Mayo and the 1798 monument at the
Mall commemorates the town’s place in history as the site of General
Humbert’s defeat of the English and their ignominious retreat, which
became known as the ‘Races of Castlebar’. The Castlebar Guinness
Blues Festival takes place in June, while the first weekend in July Open all year round
hosts the annual Castlebar International Four Days’ Walks Festival.
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