When you fly into Ireland West Airport, Knock, you’ll find yourself in the heart of rural Ireland. The people are warm and welcoming, and the countryside is green. Stone walls, gently flowing rivers, great fishing lakes with a thousand splendid views, quaint little towns and villages where passing motorists salute each other and an endless array of summertime festivals, all help to make this one of the most interesting regions in all of Europe. Okay, so, the world.
bestfor golf lovers: Carne Golf Links Amidst tough competition, Carne Golf Links in Belmullet, Co. Mayo (90 minutes north-west from Knock Airport), comes out on top. “Carne is absolutely brilliant,” wrote acclaimed American golf writer Tom Coyne. “Every hole, every hill, every inch of the place is simply special.” He should know. On a remarkable walking trip in 2007, he played every links in Ireland! Carne is escapist golf the likes of which you may never experience again. It is located on the Erris peninsula, a sprawling that juts out into the Atlantic 80 minutes north-west of Knock Airport. Where >Carne Golf Links, Carne, Belmullet, Co. Mayo, Tel: + 353 (0) 97 82292. Website > www.carnegolflinks.com
bestthing you could do for the locals: support the local football team! Ireland West Airport is located in Co. Mayo, as you know. Now, the people of Mayo want one thing more than anything else: not more jobs, better roads, or improved education. These things are important, right enough, but the most coveted item in Co. Mayo is the All-Ireland Gaelic football championship. Winning this major event in Irish sport has become a local obsession, and every summer it seems they are destined for heartbreak again. They last won it in 1951, and have since then lost the final in 1989, ’96, ’97, 2004, and ’06. Trust us, this is serious stuff – get along to a match a lend your support. And if you’ve any influence… Where >Mayo play their home games at McHale Park, Castlebar. If you’d like to go to a game, just pick up any local newspaper – coverage there is pretty intense! Website > www.mayogaa.com
besttourist must-see: Croagh Patrick St Patrick, who brought religion to Ireland, and also drove the snakes out of the country, spent 40 days and 40 nights alone on top of Croagh Patrick, praying for Ireland. Every year thousands make the annual pilgrimage up this holy mountain in County Mayo [50 minutes west of Knock]. It’s said that someone climbs Croagh Patrick every day of the year, and on “Reek Sunday” – the last Sunday in July – over 15,000 people climb it, some in their bare feet. Climb it, savour the view over Clew Bay, and feel at one with one of Ireland’s most famous pilgrim sites. Where >Croagh Patrick, 50 minutes west of Knock (park your car in the village of Murrisk and start climbing straight away).
bestmuseum: National Museum of Ireland – Country Life The National Museum of Ireland – Country Life is the only branch of the National Museum of Ireland that’s located outside Dublin. Situated in the tranquil village of Turlough, Co. Mayo, just ten minutes from Castlebar (itself 40 minutes from Knock airport), it offers a compelling commentary on how life used to be lived in rural Ireland. All that history, all that heritage, all that determination to eke out a living in tough times. You’ll get a real sense of the west of Ireland by spending some hours here. Where >National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Tel: +353 (0)94 9031773. Website > www.museum.ie
bestview: Clew Bay from Clare Island Clew Bay, in Co. Mayo, is one of the most spectacular bays along the entire west coast of Ireland, and for centuries has offered refuge to those voyaging across the Atlantic Sea. Out in Clew Bay, you’ll find Clare Island. To get here, head to Roonagh Pier, near the town of Louisburgh (20 minutes from Westport), where boats leave for the island on a regular basis. You won’t be sorry you made the journey – this tiny island has a special atmosphere and flavour all of its own. Walk or cycle around the island, or hire a driver, and marvel at the breathtaking views of Clew Bay and the mighty Atlantic. The clifftop at the Lighthouse is just one of many marvellous locations from where you can enjoy the remarkable charms and rugged beauty of an island inhabited by just 130 people. Where >Clare Island, Clew Bay, 40 minutes west of Knock airport. Website > www.clareisland.org
bestouting on two wheels: cycling around the western lakes A cycle around part (or, indeed, all) of Loughs Mask and Corrib – the two great western lakes – will leave you searching for superlatives. Corrib boasts 365 islands – an island for every day of the year – and is surrounded by quaint little villages. Your spin will take you through these villages and up hills that afford superb views of the rugged beauty of both lakes. Go a few extra miles and you’ll reach the two mountain peaks overlooking Loughnafooey, a tiny little lake close by the larger Mask. Some hard pedalling will take you to the top of one of these peaks – Maamtrasna or Aill Dubh – where you can marvel at the reflection of the mountains in the lakes. The view will take your breath away. Loughnafooey shows a different face to the world every day of the year, and truly is one of the jewels in the region’s crown. Where >Loughs Mask, Corrb & Nafooey; all within a one-hour drive west and south-west of Knock airport – take your bike! Website > www.lakedistrict.ie; www.discoverireland.ie; www.oughterardtourism.com
bestfun on – or near – the water: fishing Fishing is important in the west of Ireland. Whether it’s chasing a wild brown trout on Lough Mask, trying your luck on the Atlantic, or entertaining hopes of catching one of the salmon for which the River Moy is famous, the region offers an annual challenge to anglers from all over the world. And the buzz extends beyond those who take to the waters – towns like Ballina, Ballinrobe and Westport owe much of their unique magic to the atmosphere created by the influx of anglers each year. Regional festivals bring a Mardi Gras feeling: you’d never know what local delights you will find as you travel the region. The Ballina Salmon Festival is one such event. Every July (this year it runs from July 11-20), the north Mayo town comes alive: local coffee shop owners dress up in 1900s costumes and serve you tea and scones. Publicans have even been known to restore ancient prices, but only for an hour at a time, and it’s too late when you hear! There’s even a Mardi Gras day. All the while, anglers battle with the salmon on the River Moy. A magical week. Where >Ballina (35 minutes north-west Knock airport); Ballinrobe (40 minutes south-west); Westport (40 minutes west). Website > www.ballinasalmonfestival.ie
Compiled by Liam Horan
besttrivia
The west of Ireland has some of the best seaweed baths in the world. They look bad, and give off a hideous smell, but are deeply relaxing and are believed to help in the treatment of rheumatism and arthritis. Take a soak in Enniscrone or Strandhill (they’re both within a one-hour drive west of Knock airport) – but remember to wash well afterwards!
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