Mayo Guide> Ballycastle & Erris
Ballycastle & Erris
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© Nuala Irwin Photography
ombining myth, legend, history and folklore, the beautiful rugged coast of North Mayo is a thriving region with an abundance of activities and experiences to savour and enjoy.
The areas of Ballycastle and Erris along the Atlantic coast are rich in heritage and culture. The coastlines are some of Ireland’s best-kept secrets—with majestic cliffs, rugged headlands, rocky coves, jagged stacks, pristine beaches and expansive strands—apparent only to those who stray off the beaten path. The Erris region was voted by The Irish Times as the best place in Ireland to go wild! It is an outstanding cultural, heritage and adventure destination. At its four corners you’ll find the stunning landscape of Erris Head, the unspoilt wilderness of Ballycroy National Park, the towering cliffs of Benwee Head and the final resting place of the fabled ‘Children of Lir’, Inis Gluaire island. Erris is a haven for surfers, anglers, walkers, photographers, birdwatchers, cyclists and golfers. There are four lighthouses here and artists who visit this part of Mayo say that the light is unique. A diverse range of festivals take place in Erris throughout the seasons. The international folk arts festival, Féile Iorras, has been running for 20 years and there are many other festivals, such as An Béal Binn (literary festival), Lá
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an Logha (historical market and fair day), the Belmullet Festival, the Erris Beo Festival (celebrating the wild and wonderful outdoors), Féile Fáilteach, the Clann Lir Festival, Féile na bPáistí (for kids) and Féile Gaoth Sáile [Geesala Festival], which includes the famous horse races on Doolough Beach. Currach racing, with the traditional inshore fishing boats, is also popular here. One writer said of Erris: “I have never known a place so full of story”. Whether you are listening to the elusive corncrake’s call, discovering deserted islands off the coast, golfing on the world-class Carne Golf Links, or relaxing in an award-winning restaurant, you will understand why this is a truly inspirational place. Just a short drive away, in an incredible setting along the Wild Atlantic
Way, Ballycastle (‘the town of the stone fortress’ in Irish), provides the visitor with authentic stories of history and culture that go back more than 5,000 years. Founded in 1470, this small thriving town is where the first settlers of Mayo began to farm on the hills along the cliffs. Today, visitors can see this rich history with their own eyes, in the finely preserved Stone Age megalithic tombs and in the visitor centre at the Neolithic Céide Fields. A sanctuary for outdoor lovers, Ballycastle is perfect for long, lazy walks and cycling trips, or more adventurous hikes such as the Western Way walking route. The region is also ideal for kayaking, fishing, diving and swimming. Offering an unrivalled coastline and a host of activities and events, North Mayo is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate, or indeed, go wild! For more information, download the free Erris Beo App and check out www.errisbeo.ie and www.ballycastle.ie.
MAJESTIC CLIFFS, RUGGED HEADLANDS, ROCKY COVES, JAGGED STACKS, PRISTINE BEACHES AND EXPANSIVE STRANDS