Explore the Beauty of
Discover the best of local attractions, activities, dining,
and places to stay in this wild Atlantic corner of Ireland
Experience the Heart of North Mayo
From rugged coastlines and sandy beaches to historic sites and world-class golf, the Erris and Blacksod area is a treasure trove for visitors. Whether you want to explore scenic walking trails, try your hand at surfing, enjoy fresh local cuisine, or relax in charming accommodations, there’s something for everyone. Our guide highlights some of the top activities, restaurants, and places to stay to help you make the most of your visit to this unique and unspoiled part of Ireland.
Talbot Hotel (Belmullet)
The Talbot Hotel is a family-owned boutique four-star hotel, offering luxury accommodation in the heart of Belmullet, County Mayo, nestled between Broadhaven and Blacksod Bay. Each of its 21 uniquely designed bedrooms and suites combines chic, quirky style with modern comforts, including iPod docks, espresso machines, complimentary Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and spa-quality toiletries. Guests can enjoy stylish bars, a restaurant, and private function rooms with terraces, creating a warm, homely atmosphere for both relaxation and tailor-made events. With its distinctive décor and attention to detail, the Talbot Hotel delivers a truly luxurious and memorable stay in North Mayo.
Erris Coast Hotel
Situated along the stunning north Mayo coastline on the Wild Atlantic Way, the Erris Coast Hotel offers a luxurious and tranquil escape for couples, families, or solo travellers. The hotel features a bar, lounge, exquisite restaurant, and over 30 spacious rooms, including disabled-accessible options, all with WiFi and smart TVs. Ideally located just 15 minutes from Belmullet and 10 minutes from Bangor Erris, it provides easy access to water sports, walking trails, Carne Golf Links, Blacksod Lighthouse, Downpatrick Head, and other natural attractions, making it the perfect base for exploring this scenic part of Ireland.
Solas Visitor Centre
Located on the stunning west coast of County Mayo, the Solas Visitor Centre is a vibrant hub for discovering the rich history, culture, and heritage of the Gaeltacht region of Erris. Spread across three immersive galleries, the centre brings the story of the Mullet Peninsula to life, from early Christian settlements to key historical moments such as the Spanish Armada and World War II, with a dedicated gallery celebrating the area’s strong maritime tradition and its four local lighthouses. Visitors can also relax in the on-site café, offering local pastries and light bites, or browse the visitor shop featuring a curated selection of crafts from Gaeltacht regions throughout Ireland.
Carne Golf Links
Carne Golf Links, located in Belmullet on the remote Mullet Peninsula, is widely regarded as one of the world’s great links golf courses. Designed by the legendary Eddie Hackett, this spectacular 27-hole course is set among towering, unspoilt sand dunes rising high above the Atlantic, offering breathtaking views across Blacksod Bay to the islands of Inis Glóire and Inis Géidhe. The original Hackett 18, considered by many to be his finest and most challenging work, blends seamlessly with the newer Kilmore 9 to create the Wild Atlantic Dunes course – a dramatic and exhilarating golfing experience that stays true to the raw, natural character of traditional links golf along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Broadhaven Bay Hotel
The Broadhaven Bay Hotel is a well established three star hotel located just a short stroll from the centre of Belmullet, overlooking the stunning Atlantic coastline of North Mayo. With 90 comfortable and well appointed guest rooms, extensive conference and banqueting facilities, and a fully equipped gym and leisure club, it offers an ideal base for both relaxation and activity. Guests can enjoy locally inspired dining in the Bayside Restaurant, unwind with bar food and live atmosphere in the Kilmore Bar, or indulge in the leisure facilities including a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and on site spa and hair salon. Perfectly positioned between Broadhaven Bay and Blacksod Bay, the hotel is an excellent choice for exploring the Erris region, enjoying Carne Golf Links, or simply relaxing in one of Ireland’s most scenic coastal locations.
Blacksod Lighthouse
Blacksod Lighthouse is now open to visitors for the first time in over 150 years, offering a rare opportunity to explore one of Ireland’s most historic working lighthouses. Guided tours invite visitors to climb the tower and discover the remarkable story of the D Day weather report made here, alongside dramatic accounts of shipwrecks, rescues and daily life for lighthouse keepers and their families. Fully automated today, the lighthouse is brought to life by knowledgeable story keepers who share its rich maritime heritage and its role in Ireland’s network of navigational aids. After your visit, enjoy a coffee at the nearby Coffee Pod and take a stroll along the working Blacksod Pier to complete the experience.
Deirbhiles Twist
Fál Mór is a striking coastal viewpoint in northwest Mayo that combines natural beauty with deep historical and spiritual significance. Closely associated with St. Deirbhile and St. Brendan, this peaceful location offers sweeping panoramic views across the Atlantic towards Achill Island and the Inis Gé islands. Visitors are welcomed by Deirbhile’s Twist, a granite boulder sculpture created as part of the Tír Sáile Sculpture Trail, the largest public art project in North Mayo. Nearby, St. Deirbhile’s Well and the ruins of St. Deirbhile’s Church add further layers of heritage to this evocative and contemplative landscape.
Elly Bay, Belmullet
Elly Bay is a beautiful Blue Flag sandy beach located just south of Belmullet on the east side of the Mullet Peninsula in County Mayo. Sheltered within the calm waters of Elly Bay, the beach is ideal for swimming while also attracting surfers during the autumn and winter months. Beyond its natural beauty, Elly Bay is of international ecological importance, supporting a wide range of habitats and playing a vital role for local birdlife. Its unspoilt setting and peaceful atmosphere make it a wonderful place to relax, explore and enjoy the coastal landscape of Erris.
Erris Head Loop
The Erris Head Loop Walk, also known as Lúb Ceann Iorrais, is a stunning 5km coastal loop that showcases the wild beauty of this remote corner of the Wild Atlantic Way. Taking approximately two hours to complete, the route follows grassy paths, earth banks, a wooden footbridge and open ground, with some sections crossing soft or wet terrain where waterproof footwear is recommended. Walkers are rewarded with dramatic cliffside views, crashing Atlantic waves and panoramic vistas from the railed viewing point at Erris Head’s northern tip, overlooking Illandavuck Island, Pigeon Rock and striking sea arches. After completing the loop, nearby Belmullet offers the perfect place to relax with a coffee or bite to eat.
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