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:
- Clare Island beach is a small sandy beach right beside the harbour pier on the island.
- 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.
- Tránaun beach is a remote sandy beach on the island of Inishturk off the west coast of County Mayo. The beach has no facilities and is sometimes described as Inishturk beach.
- The National Famine Memorial is a bronze monument in Murrisk to commemorate the millions who perished in the Great Famine. Created by John Behan, the dramatic sculpture depicts a “Coffin Ship” with skeleton bodies in the rigging, where the term “Coffin Ship” was used to describe the ships which left Irish shores horrendously overcrowded with emigrants fleeing the famine. The dire and unhygenic conditions on board ensured that many did not reach their destination.
- Mulranny beach is a South facing sandy beach. You have some large stones at the shoreline as a sea defence. Backing onto the beach is a saltwater marsh with plenty of plants and shorebirds.
- The Céide Fields is a Neolithic site archaeological site on the north County Mayo coast and contains the oldest known stone-walled fields in the world, dating back nearly 6,000 years. The visitor centre is located beside some of the most spectacular cliffs and rock formations in Ireland and a viewing platform is positioned on the edge of the 110m high cliff.
- Achill Island lifeboat station was established in 1995 and operates an all weather lifeboat. Visitors are welcome but there are no set opening hours due to operational reasons.
- Old Head beach is a sheltered sandy beach sheltered by cliffs and woodland. Facilities include car parking, toilets and seasonal lifeguards.
- Ballycroy National Park is one of the largest expanses of peatland in Europe, consisting of 117.79 square kilometres of Atlantic blanket bog, a unique habitat with a diverse flora and fauna.
- Bertra beach is sand, rocks, and pebbles, an exposed shoreline with sand dunes.
- 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.
