Ireland County Mayo Family Self Drive Holiday in 8 days

On arrival at Knock airport your hire car will be ready for you – this is yours until you depart.

Your first port of call is 40 minutes away on the mouth of the River Moy – Ballina, the salmon capital of Ireland. Here your host for your first three nights will welcome you with tea and some homemade treats.

There’s plenty to do in the area around your accommodation – visit Belleek Castle and take a Castle Tour tour or a walk through the lush green woods;  stroll around Ballina town and watch the salmon jump; or just relax on the patio of your accommodation and enjoy the tranquillity.

There are plenty of choices for eating out in Ballina including a pub and restaurant just 100 metres from your accommodation, where you can enjoy a wide range of local and international dishes.

For your first day you’ve the full North Mayo guided experience with our local guide.

This morning you’ll set off cycling with your guide, starting out along the River Moy and exploring Belleek woods, then to Mayo’s Monasteries of the Moy and the historic port town of Killala.

You’ll then jump in the transport to continue along the Wild Atlantic Way, along the golden beach of Lacken Strand to the cliffs and impressive sea stack at Downpatrick Head. Here’s where you’ll have lunch (included) – a delicious picnic with local produce with perhaps a drop of poitin (moonshine) whilst overlooking the wild Atlantic ocean.

If you’re worried we haven’t yet mentioned cake, don’t be! Later on, back at your accommodation, you’ll have a baking lesson in Marjorie’s kitchen where you’ll learn how to prepare a selection of savoury and sweet treats.

The best part is, at the end of this fun and interactive 90 minutes you’ll get to enjoy the results of your work, of course washed down with a cup of tea.

You have a free day to relax and enjoy Ireland at your own pace.

You might like to drive north to Strandhill, just outside Sligo town. From here you can climb 327m Knocknarea for impressive views over Sligo and the coast. It’s a safe hike suitable for all ages. The summit cairn is a huge, ancient and unexcavated passage tomb.

Afterwards you might like to take a walk on Strandhill beach and enjoy a delicious lunch in Shells café. Here there’s option to kayak, stand-up-paddle or surf!

On your coastal drive back along Sligo’s Wild Atlantic Way, you might like to stop off at Rosie’s pottery in Easkey or continue onto the beach town of Enniscrone. Here you can stroll on the long golden beach, enjoy a game of pitch and putt – and there is also a children’s playground and indoor pool with slides. For the adults, you might like to treat yourself to a seaweed bath.

There are plenty of option for eating out once back in Ballina.

Today your adventure takes you west, as you’ll travel to beautiful Achill Island (50 miles). Take the scenic Lough road past the Loughs of Conn, Cullin, Levally and Beltra, arriving at Achill Sound and the road bridge to the island.

Hillwalkers will be drawn to the summits of Slievemore and Croaghaun. These steep hills are a different proposition to Knocknarea, rising directly from sea level to over 650m in height and containing plenty of untracked rough ground.

If this sounds like your sort of thing then today you might like to head for Doogort Beach and steeply ascend Slievemore via the eastern ridge, bounding the south side of the rocky corrie. As for any UK mountain ascent, be sure to wear and carry suitable clothing and equipment!

If this doesn’t sound like your sort of thing then the beaches of Doogort and Keel have more than enough beauty and interest to occupy your day.

You have a free day to relax and explore Achill Island at your own pace.

Today I’d head west to Keem Bay, with it’s picture-perfect sandy beach. Keem features in Ireland’s ‘Blue Way’ trail, a series of locations which are especially good for watersports. Keem is named as a particularly good place to snorkel and when you see the crystal clear waters, you’ll find it hard to disagree.

The tidal flows aren’t strong here, and the south (right hand side looking out) side of the bay is where’s particularly recommended to snorkel. Heading out from the beach, the sea floor slopes away, gradually turning from sand to rock and you’ll soon see that a swim here is in the company of the local marine life!

Away from the shore is Achill’s second main peak – Croaghaun. Perhaps steeper even than Slievemore, there are several possible approaches to the summit. If you’re ready, willing and able to make the effort then you’ll be rewarded with unsurpassed views of the steep cliffs, stretching from the summit at 688m to the waves far below. Again, as for any UK mountain ascent, be sure to wear and carry suitable clothing and equipment.

If you’d like to stretch your legs but aren’t keen on reaching Croaghaun, it’s very much worth the walk to the more modest summit of Benmore overlooking the southern cliffs, still impressive with their 300m of vertical extent. From Benmore you win amazing views of the sweep of cliffs extending west to Achill Head.

Perhaps start the day with a short stroll on the beach and get your feet wet.

You’ll travel back to the mainland today and tour Clew Bay with it’s three hundred and sixty five – yes, 365! – islands. Stop off in Newport for refreshment on the way, before arriving in Westport town.

The towns of the west of Ireland retain their character, unspoiled by the commercialism that has changed so many UK towns. The streets are lined with the colourful shop fronts of locally-owned businesses and the town centres feel alive.

Arrive early so that you can stroll around the town and soak in the friendly atmosphere. You’ll soon see why Westport has been voted the best place to live in Ireland for the past 5 years!

You are just a 5 minute walk into the centre of Westport town where you can browse around the shops and stop off in one of the quaint coffee shops.

You’ve plenty of options for activities today, such as taking a tour of Westport House or exploring the grounds. For children there’s swan boat rides, climbing frames and a pirate adventure park.

There’s also the option to go horse riding, rent a bike, climb Ireland’s holy mountain Croagh Patrick or spend an afternoon on the water kayaking, Stand Up Paddling or surfing.

In the evening, you can choose from one of the many renowned restaurants and take a wander into the lively pubs to listen to traditional music and perhaps enjoy the local craft beer or whiskey.

It’s time to enjoy your final Irish breakfast and do some last minute shopping before leaving for Knock airport, a short 40 minute drive away.

Westport Heights Bed and Breakfast is a couple and family-friendly guesthouse in the beautiful town of Westport in County Mayo. As the name suggests, the guest house is elevated above the centre of town, giving fantastic views across the town to Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay. Particularly well sited for cycling tours as it’s only minutes from the Greenway – a safe cycling route from town to Achill Island, 42km away.

Pure Magic Lodge is situated on Achill Island overlooking Keel Lake. The accommodation is simple, with all the essentials you need – but you don’t travel to Achill to stay in your room! Here at the Lodge you are minutes from the idyllic beaches of Dugort to the north and Keel to the south, and are on the lower slopes of the 671m peak of Slievemore.

Include bike hire in your holiday to make the most of Achill Island, as the quiet lanes and trails provide great routes to explore the diverse beauty.

A warm welcome is assured at Brigown Bed & Breakfast. Your host Marjorie is a household name in Ireland when it comes to cooking and will ensure you feel at home here in her charming guesthouse on the banks of the river Moy in Ballina. Breakfast is particularly good here – a great chance to sample Marjorie’s culinary skills!

The Quay is a short walk away for food and drink, and you’re not far from the centre of town. The garden is a great place to sit and relax to watch the river and the world go by.