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 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Silver Strand beach is a large west facing sheltered sandy beach. The beach is remote but well worth the effort to visit.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Carrowmore beach is a sandy beach backed by some dunes. The beach sits between rocky outcrops and a quay.
- 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.
- 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.
