Search icon

Life

15th Aug 2019

World-class beaches and endless adventure — Mayo ticks all the boxes

Louise Carroll

Brought to you by Rockshore

So, you’ve probably heard all about Rockshore’s Mate Escape giveaways — the latest being one of the last summer escapes up for grabs.

Rockshore is sending a lucky winner and their five mates on an island-hopping adventure to none other than Mayo’s Clew Bay from September 13 to 15.

With Mayo on the brain, we’ve rediscovered some of Ireland’s most incredible beaches and activities that anyone (and not just the lucky winner) can enjoy. Don’t waste the last of the summer days, lads — get on it!

Mayo. It’s wild, it’s rugged — and it boasts spectacular beaches, so…

Head to Clew Bay. Sitting below Croagh Patrick and south of the Nephin Range, you’re in for one spectacular view. Besides taking a moment to stand still and take in the breathtaking views from within the bay itself, take a boat trip to the islands. Yep, there’s one for every day of the year with Clare Island being the biggest. It’s a glorious spot, friends, so hop on the ferry.

For a view of Clew Bay from afar, pop on the climbing boots. Make your way up Croagh Patrick where you’ll see some of Mayo’s gorgeous villages — Westport, Louisburgh, Murrisk and Mulranny.

If you opt to try out surfing, head to Cross Beach. It’s a hidden gem just outside of Bellmullet on the Mullet Peninsula. It’s so long, you can walk for miles, all while enjoying views of Inis Gluaire (legend has it the Children of Lír are buried here), Achill Island (Ireland’s largest) and where you’ll eventually come to Cross Lough — an ideal spot for kite surfers. You’ll also see the third highest cliffs in Europe (Croaghaun).

Achill is absolutely stunning and entirely worth a visit too ladies and gents. Here, on the south side of the island, Dooega is a special spot for the conservation and preservation of wildlife. It’s also a blue flag beach (hurrah!) and so this old fishing village is one picturesque spot for you to capture!

Plenty of folks will name Keel Beach as being their absolute favourite. Keel Beach, adjacent to Keel village on the island, has a designated bathing area and a short distance away from the Minaun Cliffs. In Keem, you can surf, go horse riding, enjoy numerous scenic walks, visit an art gallery and wander through old Irish village ruins.

About an hour an a half drive from here, heading to north Mayo, are the Dun Briste Sea Stacks. It’s a pretty cool phenomenon friends and well worth a gawk!

We haven’t even skimmed the surface of places to see and activities to jump at — there are just too many entirely worth exploring and discovering on a trip of your own.

Don’t forget to sign up at Rockshore and simply fill in your details. Very soon, you and your mates could be in Clew Bay having an adventure of a lifetime. Wait no longer, and escape!

Brought to you by Rockshore

You need to be over 18 to enter this prize. Please drink Rockshore responsibly. Over the next month, Rockshore will reveal details of a new Mate Escape. To be in with a chance to win, keep an eye on Rockshore social media channels and www.rockshore.ie.