Magical Mayo & the Wild Atlantic Way

This beautiful tour is based in Ballina, the largest town in Co. Mayo, on the banks of the River Moy. From here, we explore the rugged landscape of the Wild Atlantic Way, the Wild Nephin National Park and the county's rich heritage dating prehistoric times to present.Saturday: We depart the Travel Centre this morning and make our way to the ferry port to catch the ferry over to Ireland. We continue to our overnight hotel.

Sunday: After breakfast, we continue our journey to Ballina, with a stop at the National Famine Museum at Strokestown, signifying a tragic but fascinating chapter of Irish history.

Monday: Today we enjoy some free time at leisure in the Georgian town of Westport before relishing some of Mayo’s most spectacular scenery. We head to Mulranny, perched on the Wild Atlantic Way; then up to Corraun with dramatic views over to Achill Island. We then loop back to Mulranny and the Claggan Mountain Coastal Trail for a visit to Ballycroy Visitors Centre and the unspoilt wilderness of Wild Nephin National Park.

Tuesday: Today we meet our local guide as they bring the heritage of Co. Mayo to life. See the Killala Roundtower and the remarkable Ceide Fields overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. We will visit Belmullet along the impressive coast before heading back to Ballina via Bangor Erris on the banks of the Owenmore River.

Wednesday: This morning we visit Foxford Woollen Mill, founded in 1892 by an Irish nun, for an introduction to a century of manufacturing and craftmanship. There will be time to browse before visiting the National Museum of Ireland. Here, we can immense ourselves in Ireland’s rural past and recent way of life and the Victorian Gothic mansion which overlooks the garden and parkland.

Thursday: This morning we leave our hotel in Ballina and make our way to Dublin with time at leisure, before continuing to our overnight hotel in the Dublin area.

Friday: Today we make our way to the ferry port for our crossing over to Holyhead, before heading back to Leicestershire with comfort stops en route.Overnight Hotel:
CityNorth Hotel
This hotel is an award-winning hotel, conveniently located for our overnight stay.
All bedrooms are en suite with tea/coffee making facilities, television, hair dryer and free WiFi.

Main Hotel:
Great National Hotel Ballina
This hotel is a contemporary 4-star hotel, situated just a few minutes’ drive from Ballina town, making an excellent location to explore Co. Mayo and the Wild Atlantic Way.
All 87 bedrooms are en suite with tea/coffee making facilities, television, telephone, free WiFi and hair dryer, and all are stylishly decorated. Some rooms do have walk-in-showers and can be requested. The hotel has a bar with ample seating. The hotel has leisure facilities including a 20m pool and gym.