County Mayo - Towns

Achill, Ireland's largest offshore island and one of its most spectacular, is joined to the mainland by a bridge at Achill sound. With a population of some 3,000 people , it is 22 km (14 miles) long and 19km (12 miles) wide. The island carries the distinction of having received five European Blue Flag beach awards. (awarded to beaches that have met international criteria for clean water, free from pollution, safe access, sanitary facilities, lifeguards on duty, wheelchair access, and information centres.) Mayo offers a huge range of activities at various levels, so anybody who so desires can participate in hillwalking, pony trekking, fishing, watersports or even more unusual pastimes. Whether you want an action packed holiday or a break which inclines towards more gentle pursuits, Mayo is for you.

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Achill, the largest island off the coast of Ireland and connected to the Mayo mainland by a bridge, is a place of sheer beauty, with mountains, lakes, valleys, magnificent sea-cliffs, wild moors and spectacular scenery. It has a number of small attractive villages, several unpolluted sandy beaches ideal for bathing, excellent deep sea, shore and lake angling and opportunities for all kinds of outdoor activities. Given good weather, Achill can be magical, where visitors can get away from the pressures of the world and unwind. For young people, Achill is a special treat. It is also a Gaeltacht area.

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At the bridge from the mainland is the village of Achill Sound, the main shopping centre of the Island. There are facilities for bathing, boating and fishing, and excursions by motor or sailing boat can be made along the coast and to other nearby islands. Deep sea fishing is also available, with Porbeagle shark providing exciting sport. Achill Sound is a good centre for exploring the less frequented southern tip of the island. This can be done on the road which runs southwards along the sound to Kildownet Church, which has a square-headed doorway and splayed windows. A mile (2km) further on is a rectangular stone-roofed keep of the O' Malleys. This drive may be continued around the coast of Dooega.

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Balla (Balla), a small town on the Castlebar-Claremorris road, owes its origin to a monastery established there in the seventh century by St. Cronan, alias Mochua. The site is marked by a round tower (10m) and a medieval altar. Patrick W. Nally (1856-1891), after whom the Nally Stand in Croke Park is called; was born at Rockstown House, near Balla. He organised two national athletic events in Balla which inter alia led to the establishment of the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1884. There is a Celtic Cross to his memory in the town.

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The largest town in Mayo is Ballina, an angling centre on the River Moy. The Moy is excellent for salmon and trout and nearby Lough Conn has equally good fishing; golf (9) and hunting are other attractions. The original settlement at Ballina was at Ardnaree, on the east side of the river. This site is marked by the ruins of a 14th century Augustinian friary, dwarfed by the Victorian cathedral of St Muredach. In the 18th century Ballina developed on the west side of the river and it today, a thriving industrial and commercial town. Near Ballina's railway station is the dolmen of the Four Maols, three large rocks, capped by a massive boulder, a tombstone dating from the bronze age. The legend surrounding the rocks is from the early christian era. Four Foster brothers, named Maol, murdered their master Ceallach, a 6th century bishop, whose death was avenged by his own brother. The four were hanged, and supposedly buried there.

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