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Irish Film and Television Network » Locations » Mayo
| IFTN LOCATIONS GUIDE - MAYO |
| TRAVEL INFORMATION |
| Mayo is a maritime county on the Atlantic seaboard. Passenger ferries run to the various islands off the Mayo coast - Inishghlora, Inishkea, Clare Island and Inishturk. The county has its own International Airport at Knock, and is also conveniently located for access to Galway Airport which operates daily flights to the Aran Islands. Bus Eireann and iarnrod Eireann provide regular services to Mayo. Castlebar is 235km from Dublin, 307 km from Cork, 193 km from Shannon Airport and 339 km from Rosslare. |
| GENERAL INFORMATION |
Mayo's landscape is one of mountains, boglands, lakes and forests. Ireland's largest island, Achill Island is connected to the mainland at Curraun Peninsula, in the west of the county. The population of County Mayo is approximately 115,000. The land area of the county is 2157 square miles, making it Ireland's third largest county. County Mayo has some of the most spectacular scenery in the west of Ireland.
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| IFTN LOCATIONS GUIDE |
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TRANSPORT |
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Bus
Bus Eireann provide services to County Mayo from Dublin, Sligo and Galway. For further information on bus services telephone:
01 8366111 ( Dublin), 096 71800 (Ballina), or
098 25711 ( Westport).
Rail
The Dublin / Ballina line serves Co. Mayo with stations at Ballyhaunis, Claremorris, Manulla Junction, Foxford and Ballina. The Dublin / Westport line serves the stations at Ballyhaunis, Claremorris, Manulla Junction, Castlebar and Westport.
For further information on rail services, telephone:
01 8366222 ( Dublin),
096 71818 (Ballina)
098 25253 ( Westport).
Sea
Ireland is linked to Britain and Europe by a number of car-ferry routes. The main ports of entry are Cork (177mls / 284km from Castlebar), Dublin (150mls / 241km from Castlebar) and Rosslare (205 mls / 329km from Rosslare).
Airports
Knock International Airport is a growing airport with a £30 million industrial zone development plan. Knock has two Ryanair flights a day to Stanstead, three in the high season, with four British Airways flights a week to Manchester, and one Aer Lingus flight per week to Birmingham. There are regular connecting flights to Dublin.
094 67222
Car Rental Agencies
Casey Auto Rentals |
Castlebar |
094 21411 |
Diplomat Cars Ltd. |
Castlebar |
094 21288 |
JJ Griffith |
Claremorris |
094 71055 |
Taxi Companies
Tommy Brogan |
Knockmore, Ballina. |
088 597585 |
Christy Cawley |
Westport |
098 28282 |
Jos Corcoran |
Clydagh, Pontoon Rd., Castlebar. |
094 23289 |
Cronin Cabs |
Ballina |
088 616024 |
Tom Denning |
Rathbawn House, Castlebar. |
094 21923 |
Patrick J Curry |
Drum, Knock |
094 88268 |
Conor Dever |
John's Road, Westport |
098 27220 |
Mike Griffin |
Clare St. , Ballyhaunis |
0907 30213 |
John Henry |
Low Park, Charlestown, Co. Mayo. |
088 513363 |
Holihan Bus and Taxi Service |
Cross Cong, Co. Mayo |
092 46403 |
Killala Taxis |
Tooreen, Carrowmorelacken, Killala |
096 34422 |
Matthew McDonagh |
Convent Road, Claremorris. |
094 71495 |
M.T. Taxi Service |
Ashleam, Achill Island |
098 45491 |
Aircraft Hire
Airlink Airways (Mayo) |
Ellison St. , Castlebar, Co. Mayo. |
094 23349 |
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ACCOMMODATION |
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Hotels
Belleek Castle Hotel |
Ballina, Co. Mayo |
096 22400 |
Belmont Hotel |
Knock, Co. Mayo |
094 88122 |
Breaffy House Hotel |
Castlebar, Co. Mayo |
094 22033 |
Castlecourt Hotel |
Castlebar St. , Westport , Co. Mayo. |
098 25444 |
Downhill Hotel |
Ballina, Co. Mayo |
096 21033 |
Hotel Westport |
The Demesne, Newport Road, Westport, Co. Mayo. |
098 25122 |
Knockgranny House Hotel |
Knockgranny, Westport, Co. Mayo |
098 28600 |
The Olde Railway Hotel |
The Mall, Westport, Co. Mayo. |
098 25166 |
Pontoon Bridge Hotel |
Pontoon, Co. Mayo |
094 56120 |
Slievemore Hotel |
Dugort, Achill, Co. Mayo. |
098 43224 |
Traveller's Friend Hotel |
Old Westport Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. |
094 23111 |
Wave Crest Hotel |
Dooagh, Achill, Co. Mayo. |
098 43115 |
Flat Rental Agencies
Collins Estate Agents |
Castle St. , Castlebar, Co. Mayo. |
094 22701 |
Office Rental Agencies
Collins Estate Agents |
Castle St. , Castlebar, Co. Mayo. |
094 22701 |
Colm Cronin |
Westport Harbour, Co. Mayo |
098 25449 |
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GOVERNMENT OFFICES |
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County Council Offices |
Aras an Chontae, The Mall, Castlebar |
094 24444 |
County Mayo Arts Organiser |
John Coll, Mayo Library Headquarters, Castlebar, |
094 24444 / 087 2376680 |
Office of Public Works |
District Office (Castlebar) |
094 21331 |
Udarás na Gaeltachta |
Main St. , Belmullet, Co. Mayo. |
097 81418 |
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KEY LOCATIONS |
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RURAL
Forests
Tourmakeady Forest, Nephin Beg Forest, Letterkeen Woods, Newport Wood and Old Head Woods are all located around the Westport area.
Mountain Ranges
Partry Mountains overlooking beautiful Lough Mask,
Nephin Beag Mountains in the west ,
Ox Mountains on Sligo / Mayo Border,
Sheeffry Hills south of Croagh Patrick.
Croagh Patrick
In the west of the county, approximately 7 miles from the town of Westport, is a famous pilgrimage mountain which looks out over Clew Bay.
Woodland
Beautiful wooded areas are situated around Ballinrobe, Tourmakeady and Newport.
COASTAL
Achill Island
Ireland 's largest island (24km long and 19km wide) is connected to the mainland at Curraun Peninsula by a bridge at Achill Sound. Magnificent cliff scenery, bogland, long sandy beaches, little villages and many historical monuments can all be found on the island. The ancient Church of Kildavnet and Granuaile's Castle are two famous landmarks on the southwest part of the island. Keel, a delightful village on the western side of the island has a beautiful sandy beach - Trawmore - and the Minawn Cliffs and Cathedral rocks are also located here. West of Keel is the village of Dooagh. The two mountain peaks of Croaghaun in the west, and Slievemore in the north offer breathtaking views of the rugged coastline and Atlantic Ocean.
Clare Island
This island has a beautiful rugged landscape. The island can be reached by ferry from Westport Harbour and Roonagh Pier. The island has a number of historic and ancient sites. Other sites of interest on the island include the 19th century Napoleonic Tower, a Lighthouse and a 16th century castle.
Inishturk Island
Situated 7 miles off the western coast of Mayo, this is a small and scenic island with hilly landscapes, excellent beaches and wonderful views. The island can be reached by ferry from Roonagh Quay, from Clare Island and from Cleggan in Co. Galway.
Killary Harbour
This harbour separates Galway and Mayo, and featured as a location in the film 'The Field'. The Erriff River flows into the harbour, and also located nearby are the Asleagh Waterfalls, Maumtrasna and Partry Mountains.
Lakes
Located throughout the county are scenic lakelands such as the areas around Lough Corrib, Lough Mask, Lough Carra, Doo Lough, Mannin Lake, Urlaur Lake, Lough Feeagh, Furnace Lough, Beltra Lough, Lough Cullin, Lough Conn and Carrowmore Lake.
Beaches
Mayo's finest beaches are at Louisburg, Murrisk, Mulrany, Clare Island, Achill, Belmullet, Killala.
HISTORICAL
Cong Abbey
Cong Abbey is built on the site of a 6th century church associated with St. Fechin. The Abbey was founded in the 12th century by Turlough O’ Connor (High King of Ireland). Most of the surviving ruin dates from the 13th century.
Murrisk Abbey
This ancient historic Abbey lies at the foot of Croagh Patrick.
Aughogower
7 km south of Westport lies a 12th century Round Tower and a 13th century Church.
Ballintubber Abbey
A famous 13th century abbey situated 17 km from the town of Westport.
Clare Island
A megalithic tomb, ten promontory forts, iron-age huts and field systems and over 45 fulacht fiadh (bronze age cooking sites) are located on Clare Island. On a rocky headland on the island is the 16th century square tower which served as Grace O' Malley's castle. The island's 12th century Cistercian Abbey contains mediaeval wall and ceiling paintings.
Céide Fields
Preserved beneath the blanket bogs on the North Mayo coast is a 50,000 year old Stone Age landscape of stone-walled fields, dwellings and megalithic tombs.
Doon Carton
Stone Circle and Megalithic Tomb. A dolmen is located just outside Ballina and a fine round tower is situated in Killala..
URBAN
Ballina
The largest town in County Mayo, Ballina is built on the River Moy. The original settlement at Ballina is marked by the ruins of a 14th century Augustinian friary. Near Ballina's Railway station is the Dolmen of the Four Maols, three large rocks capped by a massive boulder - a tombstone dating from the Bronze Age. Killala Bay, Beleek Forest and Lough Conn are all in the nearby vicinity.
Ballinrobe
The largest town in South Mayo and located on the shores of Lough Mask. Nearby is Cong, a picturesque village on the North-east shore of Lough Corrib and location for John Ford's 1952 film 'The Quiet Man'. Cong Abbey and Woods are also in the area.
Ballintubber
Located in part of a wider area known as the Tochar Valley, this town is set against the backdrop of the Partry mountains and Lough Carra. Ballintubber Abbey, Mayo Abbey, and Aghahower's round tower are located in the area.
Belmullet
Situated on the Mullet Peninsula in the north of the county in an area of bogland beside the sea. Spectacular scenery in the area includes beaches, cliffs, calm bays and wild seas.
Castlebar
The administrative capital of Co. Mayo, this town is situated in a area of scenic lakelands. Situated 4 miles north-east of the town is Turlough Round Tower, 70ft high and one of the best preserved towers in the country.
Foxford
A small town on the River Moy and backed by the Ox Mountains in the north-east. The town is situated less than two miles away from the shores of Lough Conn.
Knock
This small town situated in the east of the county has been a centre of pilgrimage for the last 100 years. It boasts one of the most famous Marian shrines in the world. Over one and a half million people visit annually to worship where 15 people saw a vision of the Virgin Mary in 1879. The focal point is the gable of the apparition. Nearby is the Basilica, the largest church in Ireland.
Newport
This picturesque town is situated approximately 6 miles north of Westport, on the N59. One of Newport's outstanding features is a seven-arch viaduct which was erected to connect the Westport to Achill Railway line. Outside the town, on the Achill Road, the spectacular Nephin Mountains and a series of pretty lakes provide for breathtaking scenery. Burrishoole Abbey - the ruins of a 15th century Franciscan Friary - are located just outside the town.
Swinford
A bustling market town situated on the main Dublin / Castlebar Road (N5) and on a tributary of the River Moy near the Callow Lakes. The twin lakes are joined by a picturesque bridge and surrounded by hills of purple heather. Lough Cullin is situated to the north-west of the town.
Westport
A designated Bord Fáilte ' Heritage Town' is situated at the foot of Croagh Patrick, on the shores of Clew Bay. The town was designed in the 18th century and among its outstanding features are the elegant tree-lined boulevard known as The Mall, the cheerful colourful shop and pub fronts of Bridge Street, the market area of The Octagon - the town's central square and the harbour. The River Carrowbeg flows through the town. |
TOURIST OFFICES |
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Knock |
094-88193 |
Knock Airport |
094-67247 |
Ballina |
096-70848 |
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GARDAI/POLICE |
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Achill Sound |
098 45108 |
Claremorris |
094 71222 |
Ballina |
096 21422 |
Castlebar |
094 22222 |
Westport |
098 25555 |
Swinford |
094 51115 |
Killala |
096 32111 |
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HOSPITALS |
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Castlebar General Hospital |
094 21733 |
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UTILITIES |
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ESB - Electricity Supply Board
Mayo |
Ballina |
096 71274 |
Mayo |
Westport |
098 27222 |
Waste Disposal
Hireservices |
Plovervale, Castlebar |
094 31026 |
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