Old Head

County Mayo


Head east from Louisburgh for a couple of kilometres and look out for the turning north to the pleasant and secluded beach at Old Head.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby County Mayo attractions

2. Carrowmore

2.11 MILES

The sheltered, broad beach at Carrowmore, just west of Louisburgh village, offers good views of Croagh Patrick and has a lifeguard on duty in summer.

3. National Famine Memorial

5.34 MILES

Opposite the car park on the far side of the road is the National Famine Memorial, a spine-chilling sculpture of a three-masted ghost ship wreathed in…

4. Murrisk Abbey

5.34 MILES

Murrisk Abbey was founded by the O'Malleys in 1547. Its scant remains sit beside the shore; a path leads here from beside the National Famine Memorial.

5. Granuaile's Castle

7.57 MILES

Associated with the pirate queen Grace O'Malley, this compact castle tower was her stronghold, although it was altered considerably when the coastguard…

6. Clew Bay Heritage Centre

8.97 MILES

Set in a 19th-century stone building 2km west of town, this museum traces the history, customs and traditions of Westport and Clew Bay.

7. Mulranny

9.02 MILES

Rising from a narrow isthmus, the hillside village of Mulranny overlooks a wide Blue Flag beach on the road from Newport to Achill Sound and on the cusp…

8. Clare Island Abbey

9.05 MILES

The chancel roof of 13th-century Clare Island Abbey is dotted with faded fragments of murals, dating from around 1500. Look out too for the tomb reputed…

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