Co Mayo is the third-largest county in Ireland by area but has a population of just over 130,000. This means there is plenty of space, less traffic, more stunning scenery to be enjoyed, and a slower pace of life. However, there is no shortage of beautiful places to stay and interesting things to visit and do, should you choose a break in the county.
Ireland’s Hotel Planner works with a selection of Hotels in Mayo, giving you the choice of where in the county you would like to base yourself or your Active Retirement Group.
Mayo has a long and dramatic coastline featuring cliffs, blue-flag beaches, and sea caves as well as mountains, bogland, a national park, and numerous offshore islands. It truly is a magnificent county to visit.
Ireland’s Hotel Planner has compiled its own top eight list of places to visit/things to do. Hopefully, they will help you decide whether Mayo is the place for your next group holiday and if it is, help you begin to plan your visit.
Achill Island including the Atlantic Drive, Keem Bay, and the Deserted Village. Here you will get to see the most dramatic of Achill’s scenery and learn of its often harsh and tragic past.
Downpatrick Head and the Ceide Fields. Located in North Mayo this area features all the majesty of the edge of the world and the roaring Atlantic combined with an ancient archaeological wonder.
Croagh Patrick, the National Famine Monument, and Murrisk Abbey. All located at the same site just south of Westport. There is much to do, whether you plan to climb the holy mountain or would prefer to learn more about the history of this stunning area. Extensive views of Clew Bay are yours even after just a short climb!
Mayo’s museums. Great examples include the National Museum of Country Life just outside Castlebar, the Michael Davitt museum in the village of Straide, and the Jackie Collins Collection in Ballina.
Westport Town and House. Westport town is an award-winning and very picturesque town that retains it’s friendly, market town feel while boasting an array of cosmopolitan shops and restaurants. There is always a buzz of entertainment in this town both summer and winter! Westport House Estate is well worth a visit with its beautiful grounds and grand estate house.
Mayo’s villages. There are many interesting villages and small towns to visit while in Mayo. These include Foxford (home of the woollen mills), Louisburgh (on the shores of Clew Bay) and Cong (on Lough Corrib and just outside the walls of Ashford Castle).
Ballina’s ruins. There are many impressive ecclesiastical ruins in and around the town of Ballina. These include the friary of Moyne Abbey, Rosserk Friary and Rathfran Abbey, among others. Ballina also boasts the gothic St Muredach’s cathedral located on the banks of the River Moy.
Entertainment. Mayo is a fantastic county for entertainment with theatres, many traditional music sessions in the pubs, classical music performances and everywhere you go there is a warm welcome for all visitors.
(Due to Covid 19, restrictions are presently in place in Ireland, please call ahead to clarify these before you confirm your plans)
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