Walking

Mulranny Loop

Starting at the Mulranny Park Hotel this is a walk of stunning beauty and immense diversity. Such is the biodiversity here, that you enter three different European designated areas of conversation and Ireland's largest National Park. On the way visit Ireland's only stand of Mediterranean heather, woodland, beaches, rare Machair dunes, Atlantic salt marsh and traverse Trawoughter Bay along Mulranny's unique causeway. The route features elevated views of the dramatic deep sided Bellacragher Bay and to the south the stunning spectacle of Clew Bay and its drowned drumlin islands set against the majestic Croagh Patrick.

Location: Mulranny
Trailhead: Mulranny Park Hotel, head south across Mulranny Causeway
Grade: Moderate
Length 5.5KM. The walk takes 2 1/2 hours
Recommended: Boots, waterproofs, walking stick, binoculars, water & snacks.

Tiernaur Loop Walks

The Burrishoole loop walk series continues with the three Tiernaur loops. Whatever type of walker you are there is a walk here for you. If you fancy a shorter walk take the easy loop. You won’t miss out as each loop has panoramic mountain views and overlook the famous Drumlins of Clew Bay. For the more experienced walker the shorter loop expands into a mid distance loop and a longer loop clearly marked along the way. All loops meander through the foothills of the Nephin Beg range. The mountains expand north for as far as the eye can see. You can explore unspoilt bog lands and all it's flora and fauna just a short distance from the walking trail

On top of the breath taking views the Tiernaur loops are drenched in heritage and history. As you head east along the mountain track and Great Western Greenway you will discover many different types of stone bridges. All three loops run south after a spell in the hills and run along the Tiernaur coastline where you will find sites rich in history and culture

You can visit Kileen Cemetery which has on old burial ground surrounded by stone. The cemetery contains graves dating back many years. Saint Brendan’s well is also located nearby. According to legend this well was located in the cemetery but the devil attempted to throw it into the sea. It landed close by on the shoreline and remains there to this day.

Also worth a visit on these loops is Roigh Pier. The pier is situated on the shores of Clew Bay and dates back to the early 1800s. Used by local fishermen and islanders at the turn of the century it was renowned for herring fishing and the ferrying of turf to the islands on Clew Bay.

Stop and admire Carrickahowley Castle which was built in the sixteenth century. The castle name in Irish translates to Rock of the Fleet. This is where the local area’s name comes from today. The castle belonged to the pirate queen Grace O’ Malley.

After you finish a loop in Tiernaur you will have explored bogs and foothills, crossed rivers, enjoyed spectacular views, experienced local history, passed by lakes and travelled the rugged coastline in a few hours. Exhilarating walks suitable for walkers of all ages.

Location: Located approximately 3 km from Mulranny village on the N59 Mulranny to Newport road.
Trailhead: Opposite Nevins Bar & Restaurant.
No. of Trails: 3 in total ranging in distance from 9 km – 16 km.
Terrain: Bog tracks, Country Lanes & Stone Surfaced Tracks.
Essential: Rainwear, Walking Shoes / Boots, Fluids & Snacks.

For more information on the Tiernaur Loop walks click here
http://www.mayowalks.ie/media/Media,8557,en.pdf

Lettermaghera Loop Walk

The Lettermaghera loop has its own unique terrain. The loop ambles through a scattering of lakes large and small. This trail begins at Derrada Community centre. As you head north along a narrow country lane you will enter a maze of small lakes. Soon after you will reach the largest lake on the loop, Furnace Lough. This Lough is home to the Fisheries Ireland Salmon Research Centre.

When the trail comes to a junction you have reached the Salmon Leap Bridge. This is the point where Furnace Lough and Lough Feeagh meet. Do not pass here without admiring the salmon making their way north to their spawning grounds or the many other types of fish swimming in the water

From the junction at the salmon leap you head west along the slopes of the Bengorm Mountains. These slopes will offer you some of the most panoramic views of Clew Bay and its islands.

The route then turns south again and you pass an old Mass Rock, along with several lakes and dismantled railway – part of the old Westport-Achill line that operated between 1892 and 1937

The Lettermaghera loop is suitable for all fitness levels and has something of interest for all the family.

Walk information

Location: Between Mulranny and Newport.
Trailhead: Derrada Community Centre.
No. of Trails: 1 – 7 kilometres long
Terrain: Country lanes and bog tracks
Essential: Rainwear, Walking Shoes, Fluids & Snacks.

Letterkeen loop walk

The Letterkeen loop is challenging way marked loop situated in the Nephin Beg mountain range and takes in part of the Bangor trail and the Great Western Way. Travel mountain tracks and navigate unspoilt bogs. This remote trail delivers rugged barren country side, mountain views and large sections of forestry for the more experienced walker. If you’re visiting Mulranny to experience west Mayo’s vast array of multi-terrain walks you won’t want to miss taking the Letterkeen loop

Location: 10 km from Newport.
Trailhead: Letterkeen wood.
No. of Trails: 1 - 10km long
Terrain: Country Lanes, forest tracks and bog lands.
Essential: Rainwear, Walking Shoes, Fluids, Snacks and Mobile Phone

Further information on the Letterkeen loop can be found here.
http://towns.mayo-ireland.ie/webx?14@@.ee78b2a

The Bangor Trail

The Bangor Trail is a waymarked ancient walking route between Newport and Bangor Erris. You can take the Trail north from Newport or South from Bangor Erris through the Nephin Beg Mountain range. It is a fairly tough, remote hiking trail and would suit serious walkers. It is approximately 29 miles in length. The area it passes through is a vast uninhabited and unspoilt wilderness of mostly Atlantic blanket bog terrain. Parts of the Trail pass through one of Ireland’s six National Parks, The Ballycroy National Park. (www.ballycroynationalpark.ie)

The Trail follows an old drover path which may date from the Iron Age. There is, along the route, evidence of previous human habitation, particularly from the mid 19th century just prior to the Irish Famine when population pressure in this area was intense. Between the 16th century and the early 20th century English Landlords owned vast estates across Ireland and these Landlords would have been responsible for the maintenance of the sections of the trail that passed through their lands. The trail was the main route for people and livestock before roads were built in the area in the first half of the 19th century.

Clew Bay Coastal Walk

Clew Bay is one of Ireland's most iconic seascapes, and a "must see" for any visitor. Initially you will explore Mulranny's Machair sand dunes, one of Europe's rarest habitats. These are dynamic landforms renowned for their variety of wild flowers, they feature a variety of habitats including beach, dune, mudflat and Atlantic salt marsh. Rosmurrevagh is a fine example and home to rare species of fungi, moths and curious beetles.

Historic sites on the route include a Celtic Midden, a Killeen, Gairí Beagh Na bPáistí, (the Children's small garden), a fairy fort Blea Na Shee, (the curve of the fairies) a fine lime kiln and the magnificant single arch Washing Pool Bridge. Rosturk takes you deeper into the bay offering exceptional views of Clew Bay's drowned drumlins, a beautiful legacy of the last Ice Age. You can walk past the historic Rosturk Castle and the guides offer a unique opportunity to access the once inhabited island of Moynish Mór.

Location: Mulranny Village
Grade: Moderate
Length: 19 km. Tae walk takes 5-51/2 hours
Recommended: Boots, waterproofs, water & snacks

Burrishoole Heritage Trail

The guided walk starts in the neighbouring town of Newport at Newport Church with a guided tour of the priceless harry Clark stained glass window collection including "the Last Judgement" scene. The walk takes in the view of the magnificent seven arch old railway viaduct, before heading out to Burrishoole Friary, established in 1469.

You will then take in an elevated viewing point of the rustic seven arch Burrishoole bridge followed by a guided tour of the intact fortress of Gráinne Uaile (Grace of malley) the notorious pirate queen of the Sixteenth Century.

The walk passes Roigh Pier and Saint Brendan's Well before veering north for the Nephin foothills and then west along a mountain track through Tiernaur (the Land of the Slaughter) across the impressive Washing Pool Bridge and on to your destination the Mulranny Park Hotel, built in 1897.

Location: Newport to Mulranny
Grade: Easy
Length: 25km. The walk takes 6-61/2 hours
Recommended: Boots, waterproofs, walking sticks, water & snacks