It was also a stronghold of the O’Malley clan, and you’ll find evidence of that in a castle/tower house called Kildavnet located on the island. It was built by the Marquis of Sligo in 1806, and the Napoleonic Tower, situated on the western end of the island is also a familiar sight.įind Accommodation on the Wild Atlantic Way Achill IslandĪchill Island is the largest of Ireland’s offshore islands and is a popular tourist destination. The Clare Island Lighthouse is the only two-towered lighthouse in Ireland. Make time to go inside, if you can, to see the Medieval paintings on the wall, thought to have been commissioned by the O’Malley chieftains. The Cistercian Abbey is said to be O’Malley’s burial site. The Clare Island Cistercian Abbey where Grace O'Malley is reputed to be buried. The Clare Island Abbey, built in the 12 th century, is also worth seeing. It was converted into a police barracks in the mid-1800s and is now a National Monument. They include Clare Island Castle, a 16 th-century tower house that belonged to the O’Malley clan. There are several things to see on the island. Dolphin Watching from Roonagh to Clare IslandĪ mere three miles away from Roonagh Pier is Clare Island, once the home of the legendary Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley, otherwise known as Granuaile.Įither the Clare Island Ferry or O’Malley’s Ferries will take you on the 25-minute journey.Ĭompare Car Rental Prices with Discover Cars Clare Island There’s a pier near the beach that is a great spot for fishing. The reserve, which is a Special Area of Conservation, is managed by the Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service. The area is a popular spot for watersports and the nearby woods are also used by campers looking to experience the tranquility of the region. Photo: Mick Reynolds – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, The Old Head Woods Reserve, which is close to the Clew Bay Bike Trail. This beautiful 42-acre area includes a reserve and beach located along the southern edge of Clew Bay close to Louisburgh. Take a Clew Bay Cruise from Westport Old Head Nature Reserve and Beach The views are totally worth it from the top, including the opportunity to see Clew Bay from afar. Photo courtesy of Seamus Keane.Ĭhoose a clear day to get to the summit of this challenging peak, which stands at approximately 764 meters (2,506 feet) and contains a church honoring Ireland’s patron saint. If you’re thinking of climbing a mountain in Ireland, this is probably the most well-known and iconic given the fact that Saint Patrick is said to have fasted there for 40 days in 441 AD. Here are some of the attractions you can expect to see along the way: Croagh Patrick The journey back to Westport is about 44 km (27 miles). Photo: Christian McLeod Photography for Failte Ireland.Īfter crossing to Achill Island, expect to do about 8 km (4.9 miles) from Cloughmore to the Achill Sound. The coastal walk that leads to Keem Bay on Achill Island in Co. Once on Clare Island, there’s ample opportunity to see the entire island by taking the Clare Island loop trail for a total of 10 km (6 miles). The 105-km (65 miles) route includes parts of the Great Western Greenway for 9 km (5.5 miles) from Westport to Murrisk, an on-road section from there to the pier at Roonagh for a total distance of 20 km (12 miles) before taking the ferry to Clare Island. While visitors to Westport, for example, will be familiar with driving around Clew Bay, this new trail offers much more, especially for the cyclist who is interested in exploring this beautiful region of County Mayo.Īs you can see from the map below, you could start off in Westport and then take the route clockwise, cycling through Murrisk, as well as Louisburgh, and then catching the ferry at Roonagh in Louisburgh to Clare Island, continuing by ferry from there to Achill Island and beyond. The bay itself, which contains approximately 365 small islands, is situated near the towns of Louisburgh, Lecanvey, Murrisk, and Westport, as well as Newport and Mulranny. The Clew Bay Bike Trail is overlooked by Croagh Patrick, also known as Ireland’s Holy Mountain to the south, and the Nephin Range to the north. This news item and page contain affiliate links and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. A new bike trail that incorporates Achill and Clare Island off the coast of County Mayo is a great new addition to an area that also includes the popular Great Western Greenway.
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