County Mayo has a North and West Atlantic coast with Ireland's largest island, Achill Island, lies off Mayo's west coast.
Mayo has Ireland's third highest cliffs, while Sliabh League in Donegal are the highest, Mayo has Croaghaun on the west of Achill island while the Benwee Head cliffs in Kilcommon Erris drop almost perpendicularly 270m (900 feet) down to the Atlantic Ocean.
Why not check beaches nearby as we have 16 beaches in Mayo, or have a look at our list of Mayo dog friendly beaches, or even our Ireland Blue Flag beach list.
Mayo Coast Search Bar
Where would you like to go? Use our search bar to search across all our local listings, ideal for finding that nearest spot to visit:
Want some ideas on where to visit?
Every favourite location must be visited for the first time. Want some ideas, why not check out the below small selection of coastal locations, including beaches, activities, things to see and do, places to stay and eat:
- The Murrisk Augustinian Friary was founded on lands granted by Thady O’Malley in 1457 and the Friary is built on the site reputed to be that of the original church founded by St. Patrick. The Friary continued until 1577 despite being suppressed at the reformation, when the friars were driven out in common with the other Augsutinian Friaries.Today you just have the ruins of a church with one central aisle (with battlemented walls and a fine east window), and the east wing of the Friary buildings.
- Trawmore Strand (also known as Keel beach) is a 4km sandy beach with some shingle. This beach runs between the village of Keel and Dookinelly. You also have a great view if the Minuan Cliffs at the eastern end of the strand and this rises to a height of 466m. Popular beach for surfing and bodyboarding in the Atlantic breakers. If you want to swim it is only safe to swim at the Keel (Western) end due to strong currents.
- Silver Strand beach is a large west facing sheltered sandy beach. The beach is remote but well worth the effort to visit.
- Cong Abbey is the ruins of the former Augustinian abbey mostly dating to the 13th century. The remains of Cong Abbey have been praised as featuring some of the finest examples of early Gothic architecture and masonry in Ireland.
- Clare Island beach is a small sandy beach right beside the harbour pier on the island.
- The Knock Shrine is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage site and National Shrine where observers stated that there was an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint John the Evangelist, angels, and Jesus Christ (the Lamb of God) in 1879.
- Carrowmore beach is a sandy beach backed by some dunes. The beach sits between rocky outcrops and a quay.
- Mweelrea, meaning ‘smooth bald hill’, is the highest mountain in Connacht at a height of 814 metres (2,670 feet) overlooking Killary Harbour. Not easy to get to the top but at the summit you have great views of the surrounding area, including views of County Galway and Mayo, and the Atlantic Ocean.
- Croaghaun is a mountain in County Mayo and at 688 metres it has the highest sea cliffs in Ireland as well as the third highest sea cliffs in Europe after Hornelen in Norway and Cape Enniberg on the Faroe Islands.
- Ballyglass lifeboat station is one of the newer lifeboat stations and operates both an inshore and offshore boat. The station is open to visitors and has a shop.
- The Deserted Village at Slievemore consists of some 80 to 100 stone cottages located along a mile long stretch of road on the southern slopes of Slievemore mountain. The area is rich in archaeological artefacts including megalithic tombs and local field systems and site remnants indicate that settlement in this area dates from at least early Mediaval times.
- Dugort Beach is a small sandy beach located on Achill Island. The area around the beach is within a Special Conservation Area and consists of low-lying flat grassland or machair.
