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Here's why Belmullet in Mayo s...

Ireland

Here's why Belmullet in Mayo should be your next staycation

Jonathan Duane
Jonathan Duane

11:20 23 Jun 2021


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And here's our guide for what to do, where to stay and of course, where to eat!

Along the northwest coast of Mayo lies a vibrant, picturesque town by the name of Belmullet.

It's been voted as the best place in Ireland to go wild, by the Irish Times.

And is often referred to as Ireland's "best kept secret"!

With stunning views and plenty to do, it's clear that it's an ideal staycation location.

And we've making it oh-so-easy for you with this handy guide of what's what!

What to do

Whether you want to relax or go for an action-packed adventure, Belmullet really does have it all.

We've compiled a handy list for you of the top 10 things to do while you're in this beautiful and vibrant part of Mayo.

#1 - Wavesweeper Sea Adventures

This one's definitely for those up for lots of fun and don't mind getting wet!

This family-run company offers so much, from surfing to kayaking and even a bit of snorkelling.

And it doesn't matter if you're a beginner or a pro, they'll accommodate all levels - with lessons on offer too.

They seem to always be stepping it up a notch too, having added Stand Up Paddle Boarding lessons just last year!

#2 - Boats & Fishing

We'll keep to the water again, but this time for those who may not feel like immersing themselves in the sea.

You can still enjoy the coasts without having to dip a toe.

Why not take a trip out to the Iniskea islands with Blacksod Sea Safari?

The tour guides heading out on the boat with you have been described by customers as "very informative".

And they get rave reviews with some saying it was the highlight of their trip!

Inishkea South Island County Mayo Ireland

Speaking of Blacksod, while you're at the Bay, you won't want to miss the Blacksod Lighthouse.

One of four lighthouses in Erris, this one has a fascinating WWII history so be sure to check that out!

Or you could go fishing with Geraghty Charters, based on the Mullet Peninsula.

You're sure to be well-looked after by their experienced skippers providing everything you need for a great fishing day!

#3 - Shopping

Lúnasa Gift shop - Here you'll find a terrific collection of Irish Design pieces all crafted in Mayo by owner Rosaleen.

Open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturday but if you bump into Rosaleen in the area, it'd well worth the chat as she says her doors are never really closed!

Or try your lotto luck at Carey's newsagent - the store has enjoyed 6 big National Lottery wins.

You never know, you could extend your trip if you get lucky with a lotto ticket!

#4 - Walking tours

You'll definitely want to do some land-exploring as well as the water-exploring.

There's a huge array of different tours on offer in Belmullet, and we liked the sound of the Alchemy Tours.

Alchemists were chemists in the ancient world who attempted to turn metal into gold.

While they were unsuccessful, it was the inspiration for this walking tour.

These gold-standard tours will tell you all you need to know as you explore gorgeous areas like Erris Head, Mullet Peninsula, and Belmullet itself.

With reviews saying the tour guide brought "culture and history to life", we don't think you can go wrong.

#5 - Tír Sáile Sculpture Trail

Along the North Mayo coast lies 14 site-specific sculptures with an impressive title.

The North Mayo Sculpture Trail is the largest public arts project ever undertaken in Ireland.

Artists from all over the world took part in the project which was for a year-long cultural celebration, "inspired by the surviving human imprint in earth and stone at the Céide Fields."

Grab your handbook at a local tourist office and start wandering through them!

#6 - Ballycroy National Park

What a gem this is.

Bring a picnic and spend the day exploring the 11,000 hectares of Atlantic blanket bog and mountainous terrain.

It's the perfect day out as there's also a visitor centre with exhibitions telling of the history, stories and heritage of the local area.

At certain times throughout the year, there's also indoor and outdoor art galleries and children's events so it's definitely worth a checking out!

#7 - Playgrounds

What better way to entertain the kids than with an outdoor playground, and Belmullet is offering more than one to choose from.

If you've explored the Ballycroy National Park, you'll be a stone's throw away from the Ballycroy playground.

Right in the heart of Belmulltet is the Belmullet playground, which has a pedestrian walkway linking it to the Main Street.

Or you have the Kilcommon Playground, a new playground overlooking the mountains!

And there's Geesala playground - newly opened at the end of 2019, this modern playground has wheelchair and buggy-friendly ramps for ease of access.

#8 - Gateway Leisure

For some indoor fun, you can't go wrong at Gateway Leisure.

There's something for everyong; pool tables, bowling, mini golf, kids play area and more.

And there's even big screens for watching sports matches along with a bar and restaurant.

You could easily spend the day there and not get bored.

#9 - Carne Golf Links

These look absolutely stunning and has not 18 but 27 Holes of Link Golf along the Wild Atlantic Way.

This is a must for golf-players and those looking for stunning views and a bit of wildlife.

With rolling hills and white sandy Atlantic beaches, the area near Belmullet will take your breadth away!

#10 - The 'Loops'

With lots to explore, you can't miss out on the area's gorgeous loops.

Stunning scenery awaits you on the Erris Head loop.

This loop takes about 2 hours and takes you along grassy paths and open ground.

At the head's northernmost tip is a railed viewing point giving you views of Illandavuck Island, Pigeon Rock and sea arches.

If you're looking for more of a beach route, then try out the Cross loop walks.

You'll set foot on Cross beach for this one, and very few seaside walks can rival this one!

There's two choices of loop, The Green Loop (5.7km)  takes about 1.5hours, and the Blue Loop (7.6km) can be completed in about 2.5 hours.

They're recommending you go at low tide to really make the most of your journey.

Photo: Anthony Hickey/Mayo.ME

You can also go for a walk-about along the Children of Lir Loop, inspired by a well-known tale.

The famous story is of four children were turned into swans and condemned to wander the countryside for 900 years, with 300 of these being spent nearby Belmullet.

Where to stay

There's so much choice in Belmullet that narrowing it down was difficult.

But, when we set our eyes on these quirky glamping-style sites, we just had to find out more.

And you even have choice, Geraghty's Farmyard Pods or Belmullet Coastguard Station and Pods.

Geraghty's farmyard combines glamour with the simpler things in life with their relaxed farm setting:

It's within walking distance to Belmullet town and also close-by is a unique tidal pool along with an award winning golf course!

Belmullet Coastguard and Station Pods also give you camping with all the comforts of your home.

The luxurious pods have an abundance of space and facilities and overlook the Mullet Peninsula, Achill Island and the main coastlines of the Erris region.

If you want to go traditional though, there are plenty of hotels and guesthouses to choose from over on visitbelmullet.

Where to eat

From bars, cafes and restaurants, you certainly won't go hungry here.

For a tasty day-time snack, we'd definitely want to try Builin Blasta Belmullet.

In the evening, you can go for Chinese in Phoenix restaurant, or seafood at The Talbot Seafood Bar & Barony Restaurant.

Or you've got Tuk Tuk for Asian cuisine, local food at The Western Strands , Cois Cuain fast food, Shaeen Indian, The sea biscuit coffee hut by the tidal pool,

And then you've got an array of choice for bar food; Castle Inn, The Bing in Binghamstown Denny's Ferry Bar and Store, or The Angler's Rest (Healy's).


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