South West Mayo Region
Mayo, on the West coast of Ireland, is a county with an astonishing variety of scenery, an unspoiled natural environment, several blue-flagged beaches and innumerable places of interest, where people have lived in harmony with their surroundings for over five thousand years.
The county's attractions include several unspoiled beaches, excellent fishing waters, exciting walking and mountain climbing trails, an excellent choice of golf courses, opportunities for many types of activity-holidays, as well as some of the most interesting archaeological and historical sites in Ireland. The natural beauty of the green countryside, the friendliness of its people and general ambience make Mayo a place where one can relax and enjoy life far removed from the pressures of modern city life.
The landscape here is dominated by Croagh Patrick, where thousands of pilgrims annually have worn a path to the summit. The view from the top is enchanting on a clear day; the islands of Inishturk and Inishboffin rise out of the pounding Atlantic waves on the southwest, with Clare Island on the northwest and the drumlin studded Clew Bay to the north, with Achill Island and Mulranny in the background.
Clew Bay is a superb expanse of sea, 24kms long and 1Okms wide, where the tops of submerged drumlins form a bewildering archipelago, providing one of the most pleasant stretches of marine scenery in Ireland. There are several fine sandy beaches in this area such as Old Head, Bertra, Lecanvey, Carrowmore and the famous Silver Strand. The area provides many opportunities for water sports, surfing, canoeing, hill climbing and other outdoor activities.
Clare Island, Inishturk and Caher islands are three small attractive islands off the coast at the mouth of Clew Bay. Doolough, Delphi, the famous Aasleagh waterfall on the Erriff River, the Sheeffry Hills and the Mweelrea Mountains provide exquisite scenery.
Louisburgh is a lovely small town at the mouth of the Bunowen River, a pleasant twenty minute coastal drive along the shores of Clew Bay from Westport. The area is famous for its many beautiful unspoiled beaches, interesting archaeological heritage and many miles of pleasant walks. It also offers excellent lake and river fishing with names such as the Bunowen, Carrowniskey, Delphi, Doolough and Erriff to whet the angler’s enthusiasm.
Westport is a busy commercial and tourist town with the Carrowbeg River flowing through it which is a striking feature with rows of trees on both sides known as the Mall. It has all the amenities of any major town while still holding its character Westport offers a wide range of excellent sports and leisure facilities including an eighteen hole championship golf course, a nine hole coastal course, horse riding, deep sea angling and sailing.