BEACHES

The Louisburgh area boasts a number of magnificent sandy beaches, the most popular being those at Carramore, Old Head, Emlagh, Carrowniskey, Cross, Devlin, The White Strand and The Silver Strand. The latter known Silver Strand, has long been recognised as one of the top three beaches in Europe and has been voted the best beach outside of America - second only to Key West in Florida.

OLD HEAD FOREST, CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK

A ten acre, fifty three berth caravan site with outside lighting, showers, conveniences, launderette and pot washing facilities.

OLD HEAD CAFE & ICE CREAM PARLOUR

Summer Opening Hours: June to the end of August - 12.00p.m. to 11.00p.m. Seven days a week.

GRANUAILE CENTRE

The Granuaile Centre is located just metres from the square in Louisburgh, County Mayo and home to Grace O’Malley, the Pirate Queen.

This fearless woman of the 16th century, ruled the seas off the coast of Mayo. This region holds her history in towers and legends. The Centre is full of her stories, replicas of her times, books and a documentary that will help you know this fascinating woman and her place as a leader in Ireland’s history.

Grace was born in 1530 to the legendary O’Malley clan, that had several strongholds alongthe Mayo coast. The towers at Achill Island, Rockfleet and Clare Island are still standing today. In time, Grace used those strongholds to maintain her control of the coastal seas of Mayo. Her story is full of fiery patriotism, and her personal life is no less adventurous.

In addition to the Grace O’Malley exhibit, there is also a Famine Exhibition with artifacts, illustrations and documents that chronicle the horrific famine times. Known as “The Great Hunger,” the period from 1845 through 1850 saw over a million deaths from starvation in Ireland.  Add the untold thousands who were forced to emigrate to the U. S., Canada and elsewhere, the population of Ireland decreased by 25% as a direct cause of the Famine.

PLAY PARKS

There are two superb play parks for children with one located on the Bunowen Road in Louisburgh and the other across the road from Killeen Church, next door to Killeen Community Centre.

OUTDOOR PURSUITS

Louisburgh County Mayo area, from the Killary fjord to the Old Head Beach, are exceptionally suited to the pursuit of outdoor activities. The area has its own Adventure Sports/Outdoor Pursuits Centre, located in the midst of the splendour of the Delphi valley and offers qualified, supervised instruction in the following activities: Canoeing, Kayaking on Killary Fjord, Coasteering at Old Head, Raft Building, Tunnelling, Archery, Abseiling, Bog Challenge, Surfing at Cross Beach, Mountain Biking, Climbing, Bridge Swing, Zip 'n' Trek and many more!

Relax, unwind & rejuvenate in Delphi Spa. With awe-inspiring views of the Mweelrea Mountains, Delphi Spa is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate in the peace and quiet. Whether you want to drop in for a day visit or you are staying guest at the resort, you are welcome to use the Thermal Suite facilities (sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy pool) or treat yourself to a body treatment, massage, facial, or all three!

SHORE ANGLING

Best locations are: Carrowniskey Strand; Emlagh; Roonagh Quay; Carramore Strand; Old Head; Killsallagh; Lecanvey Pier; Mouth of the Bunowen River; Cross and Killary Harbour.

Species include Flounder, Ray, Bass, Wrass, Coalfish, Dogfish, Plaice, Gurnhards, Bulhusss and odd Ray. Also Mackeral, Pollack, Sea Trout, and Garfish in season.

SEA ANGLINGLClew bay is a maze of islands and peninsulas offering shore, Beach and Rock fishing for Tope, Bass, Blue Shark and Dogfish. Well equiped deep sea angling boats are available for hire.

Species of fish including Ray, Skate, Tope, Pollack, Monkfish, Conger, Spurdog, Bullhuss and Lesser Spotted Dogfish. Clew Bay is also noted for its International Sea Angling Cometitions.

LAKE/RIVER FISHING CARROWNISKEY SYSTEM

A river flowing into Lough Roonagh with a short outlet to the sea. Lough Nahaltora is connected to Lough Roonagh by a small tributary. Holds good summer salmon and sea trout. River Bunowen, with principal tributary River Bellakip and flows into Clew Bay near Louisburgh. A good salmon and sea trout river located in Louisburgh, County Mayo.

DELPHI FISHERY

Salmon Fishing in Ireland – Fly fishermen have been coming to Delphi for centuries. Formerly it was the sporting playground of the Marquis of Sligo. It is now particularly noted for its excellent runs of Atlantic salmon. There is also the added attraction of staying at the magnificent Delphi Lodge, a beautiful Georgian country house with a glorious lakeside setting, fine cuisine and great atmosphere.

The number of rods is limited to 12 per day (and only 8 in February and March). Fishing rotates between the river and lakes on a half day basis to provide maximum variety of scenery and opportunity. Fishing is by fly only except for some early season trolling on Doolough.

Larger spring salmon, weighing between 7lbs and 20lbs, generally run into the Delphi system between January and June, followed by the smaller and more plentiful grilse of 2lbs to 6lbs, from mid June to late August. By September there is a full population of fish in the system. Fresh run fish may be taken in Delphi at any time from February 1st. The wild salmon stock is now supplemented by a hatchery programme which produces 50,000 smolts per annum. These fish have their adipose fins clipped to distinguish them from their wild cousins. To protect the genetic integrity of wild fish all those of hatchery origin must be killed. By contrast any wild fish, unless it’s the angler’s first ever, must be released. All sea trout are fished on a catch and release basis.

The Delphi system includes the Bundorragha River, Finlough, Doolough and Glencullin.

ERIFF FISHERY

The Erriff is a spate river, more noted for summer salmon and grilse fishing than for early season spring fishing. The first fish enter the river around April, and spring fishing starts in earnest in May. Spring salmon run the river in good numbers during May and well into June, although angling effort is usually low at this time of year.

The grilse start entering the river in mid-June and the run peaks in July-August. By July there will be fish in every pool, and fishing can be hectic at times. Like most spate rivers, fishing is best after rainfall, but this being the west of Ireland, that tends to be quite often! Fishing is best in July, August and September, and the back end can produce very good fishing indeed.

The river itself is about 8 miles long, and not a very wide channel, so for summer fishing a single handed 7-8 weight rod tends to be sufficient. For heavy water, a small double hander can come in handy.The Erriff was once a famed sea trout fishery, but like many rivers in the west of Ireland, it suffered greatly when salmon farms started operating in the nearby bay, and runs collapsed in the early 1990s. In recent years, there has been a strong recovery, and in 2010 sea trout runs were very good. Sea trout start to enter the river in June, and run on most tides throughout the summer. All sea trout caught must be released alive.