Balla Nally Monument
Traveling east to west, the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail begins here, in the centre of Balla Town. Overlooking the main
Balla Round Tower
Balla round tower is the only visible remnant of the monastery founded by St Cronan Mochua in the early part of the 7th century.
Balla Old Cemetary
Just to the east of the round tower is one of the more interesting grave slabs we have seen. Interred
The Maple Hall in Balla
‘The Maple Hall,’ in Balla, was once one of the most prominent dance halls in the west of Ireland, throughout
Balla Holy Well and Guest House
The Well of The Blessed Mother of God, as it is described on the slab of the adjacent rest house, drew crowds up to 15,000 at its peak in the 19th century when the Balla Blessed Well Pilgrimage lasted from the 15th August to 18th September.
Balla Oak Wood
Balla was formerly known as Ros dairbhreach, the Height of the Oakwood. Demand for quality Irish oak to build the
Charles Crotty
In April of 1852 Charles Crotty purchased 1808 acres in the townlands of Kennury, Mawmeem and Tawnygarry, in what was called ‘a very wild district’ of the Partry Mountains, from John Blake, for the sum of £1,025.
Crotty’s House
In April 1852 Charles Crotty purchased an 1808-acre estate for the sum of £1025 (Michigan State University, 2009). Crotty was
Crotty’s Wood
Situated just before the Old Mill is a forested area known as Crotty’s Wood, or Rory’s Wood (Michigan State University,
Enclosure (Brownhall Demesne)
“Though it cannot be seen from the trail, Brownhall Demesne is also the townland of Brownhall Estate which was owned
The Dempsey Eviction Cottage
While walking towards the Loona section on the trail (near Balla, Co. Mayo), the site of the Dempsey eviction can
Loona
The Early Ecclesiastical Enclosure at Loona contains the ruins of Loona church as well as a childrens’ burial ground. A
Straw Built House
While coming up the Ballinafad Road upon entering Loona, a straw-built house can be seen to the left. This house
Pre-Bog Settlement at Loona
Following the last Ice Age there was rapid forest growth in Ireland—to the point where practically the entire landscape was
Early Ecclesiastical Remains (Enclosure) at Loona
“After the emergence of Christianity in 432 A.D; religious communities began to spring up around newly established churches. These churches
Loona Church
Loona church is located to the southeast of the aforementioned early ecclesiastical enclosure, which is also at Loona. There is
Children’s Burial Ground in Loona, Co. Mayo
Burial grounds, often labelled as “children’s burial grounds,” –or known as a “lisheen” or “killeen” on OS maps (Michigan State
Tobar Lughna (Loonamore or Toberloona)
Somewhere amid these ancient ecclesiastical ruins is what was known as Tobar Lughna (St Lughna’s Well). St Lughna was reputed
Ballinafad College
Ballinafad College from the Ground Ballinafad College was an estate owned originally by the Blake family. The Blakes have been
Bridgemount House in Lecarrow
While walking in the direction of Gweeshadan, a sizeable blue house known as Bridgemount House can be seen over a
The Famine Walls of Ireland
During the time of the Great Famine in Ireland, which began roughly in 1845, there was an attempt made on
Guesdian Graveyard
Guesdian Graveyard is located along the road passing through Guesdian. In the graveyard are the remains of the Kilbrenan Church
Guesdian Castle
The remains of Guesdian Castle can be seen atop the hill while standing in Guesdian Graveyard. The opposite side of
Kilbrenan Church (Gweeshadan Old Church)
Located in the southeast corner of the Gweeshadan graveyard—on slightly elevated ground– is the site of the old Gweeshadan church.
Gweeshadan Bridge (Arch)
Gweeshadan Bridge (Arch) Just before coming to the Gweeshadan graveyard, a stone arch becomes visible in the field across from
Earthwork
The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail team are revising the information about this part of the trail. Check back again soon
Wetland
The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail team are revising the information about this part of the trail. Check back again soon
Doonamona Castle
Doonamona Castle and the surrounding acreage have been central to the history of south Mayo for centuries. Although Doonamona is
Doonamona Wetland (Crannog)
Close to the ruins of Doonamona castle, the trail passed through a marshy low-lying area consisting of poor draining natural
Doonamona Fair Green
The oldest, and at one point the largest, fair in Mayo was in the Clogher area. It was known as
Cloghannageeragh Enclosure (Doonamona)
On a site overlooking Doonamona castle, from a high ridge to the east, lies well-defined remains of what looks to
Connacht’s Brutal Knight and Doonamona Castle
Sir Nicholas Malby (c.1530–1584) was a soldier and President (or Governor) of Connacht. In 1576, toward the end of his
Tuffy’s Pub near Doonamona Castle
Tuffy’s pub is situated at the crossroads beside Doonamona castle, which is in the Clogher area. It was named ‘Tuffy’s
Thatch Cottages (Doonamona Crossroads)
Situated at the same crossroads as Doonamona castle and Tuffy’s pub are a set of thatched cottages, which have been
Tóchar Phádraig
The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail team are revising the information about this part of the trail. Check back again soon
Fortlawn Ringfort
Fortlawn ringfort is located at the top of a rise in the undulating landscape, giving a clear view of lower
Fortlawn Cottage
The trail comes upon Fortlawn cottage after passing by Fortlawn Ringfort. There are two large pillars that signal the beginning
Fortlawn Wood
Fortlawn Wood is located next to Fortlawn House. Mrs Mulrooney, who lived at Fortlawn House, was locally known to be
Drum Cemetery (Knockatemple)
The one remaining wall of Drum church doubtless holds many secrets. These are hidden by ivy which is probably holding
Knockaraha Ringfort/Cashel
On the way into Ballintubber, on the way out of Drum, an enormous ringfort with apparently low-lying trees can be
Brennan’s Mill
In the early 1800s, with Ireland’s pre-famine population near its peak, there were upwards of 7,000 various water-powered mills across
Newtown and the Clogher Heritage Forge
This small dwelling is typical of those built in Newtown. The roof would have been thatched, but the rest of
Clogher House
Set in its 640 acres of quality farmland and forestry Clogher Lynch, as it was originally known, is a fine,
High Crosses of Ireland
If you have visited Ireland, you have probably seen the Celtic high cross at some stage! Today we are going
Ballintubber Abbey
St. Patrick founded a church in Ballintubber after he brought Christianity to Ireland c.440CE on the return of his long
Sean na Sagart
In the middle of Ballintubber cemetery stand the remains of a once mighty ash tree, beneath which lie the remains
Vernacular Cottages in Cullentragh
Upon a hill, in the townland of Cullentragh lay the remains of several vernacular cottages. These cottages would have been
Stirabout Roads
“When entering the townland of Cullentragh, there is a crossroads that overlaps with a section of the old Tochar Padraig.”
Killawalla
Approaching Killawalla from the Ballintubber side not far away from the village there is an Old Mill, which is located
Killawallaun Old Mill
Just past Crotty’s Wood, located on the Aille River, is the ‘Killawaullaun (Killawalla) Old Mill’—referred to locally as the “Old
Aughagower
A church which now lies in ruin is said to have been erected by St Patrick. Called Teampall na bhFiachal,
Church of the Teeth in Aughagower
The name Aughagower comes from the Gaelic words Achad Fobuir—which means ‘field of the spring.’ The Annals of history state
Carved Head at Aughagower Church
“Inside the ruined Abbey, there is a carved head engraved on the window facing the old graveyard across the road.
The round tower at Aughagower
Aughagower was an important religious centre in times gone by. It was also quite a large settlement –with a population
St. Patrick’s Well in Aughagower
Situated in Aughagower is ‘St. Patrick’s Well’ (Megalithic Ireland, n.d.). One source describes the location of the well in Aughagower
St. Patrick’s Bed in Aughagower
Inside the old graveyard at Aughagower– just west of the round tower, is situated ‘St. Patrick’s Bed’—or as it is
Killeen at Lankill near Aughagower
Located down the field, past the ‘lone tree’ at Lankill near Aughagower is a Killeen, or children’s graveyard which dates
Standing stone at Lankill near Aughagower
Regarding the heritage of the place called Lankill, John Keville in his (1982) work Aughagower, writes that the “Lankill townland
Healing Stone & St. Brendan’s well at Lankill near Aughagower
St. Brendan’s well Henry (1952) writes that “The townland of Lankill is almost 4 miles south of Westport, a short
Sunken monastery at Lankill near Aughagower
Towards the left side of the standing stone at Lankill, near Aughagower, lies an area where a monastery once stood.
Clogh Patrick at Lanmore near Aughagower
Clogh Patrick, which is translated at ‘Patrick’s Stone’ is one of many standing stones located along the original Tochar Phadraig.
Aille River and Pollatoomary cave
The Aille river, which runs throughout Co. Mayo, has a particular feature which is very unusual—namely an underground course. The
Aille Caves/sunken area
Near the site of the Aille caves, there are a series of large depressions in the ground, having their origins
Lankill Standing Stone
This impressive stone, some 7 feet tall, a foot or so wide and about 8 inches thick , is a
The Boheh Stone and the Rolling Sun
On the 18th of April and again on the 24th of August each year a plethora of archaeologists, historians, folklorists
The Skelp
The Skelp (Irish: scealp: a rocky ridge) brings us to the end of the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail on the
The Owenwee River
Owenwee is the anglicized version of Abhainn Bhui (Yellow River). It is thought that the tumbling falls and gravels which characterise
Murrisk
Overlooking the beautiful seaside village of Murrisk is the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick. Fondly known locally as “The Reek”
Murrisk Abbey
Murrisk Abbey is located at the foot of Croagh Patrick and is wonderfully situated on the shores of Clew Bay.
Croagh Patrick
This Holy Mountain, known around Ireland as ‘the Reek,’ stands at a majestic 765 meters (2,510 feet) and has been
Annagh-Killadangan Archaeological Complex
One notable Bronze Age settlement is located on the shore of Clew Bay, near the base of Croagh Patrick in
Brackloon Woods
Brackloon woods is located on the eastern fringe of Croagh Patrick, not too far from the Boheh Stone (an almost
Early Ecclesiastical Enclosure at Farburren
This age-old ecclesiastical site is located in the parish of Oughaval, which is approximately 5 km from Westport in Co.
Cashel at the Ecclesiastical Site at Farburren
Close to the middle of the ecclesiastical site at Farburren is a circular enclosure made of stone, which is known
Graveyard and Church
In the eastern section of the aforementioned ecclesiastical enclose lies a notable graveyard, which is enveloped by a two-hundred-year-old dry
Bullaun Stone at Farburren
There is what is known as a Bullaun Stone outside of the western wall of the church, where now a
Deerpark Wall
Deerparks are large areas, usually enclosed by a wall, for the keeping of herds of deer. The townland in question
Clew Bay—Quite Possibly Ireland’s Most Beautiful Coastline
British novelist and illustrator William Thackeray, wrote of Clew Bay after he visited in 1842: “The bay, with the Reek,
The Irish National Famine Monument
What was the Great Famine, and when did it occur? Ireland was devastated by the Great Famine which hit the
Teampleshaunaglasha Church and Graveyard
Just off the Tochar Phadraig route lies the remains of the church known as Teampleshaunaglasha, which translates into ‘The Church
Ballybourke Castle
According to the ‘Tochar Phadraig’ source (Michigan State University, 2009) — there were three castles built in alignment with one another—namely, MacPhilbins,
Anglican Church and School
“In the early 1800’s, people from the north of Ireland came to Mayo to work in the flax industry, which
The Round Towers of Ireland
If you were asked ‘what is Ireland’s unique contribution to world architecture?’ What would your answer be? Indeed, the round
Megalithic tombs of Ireland
Sean O Nuallain (1979), provides some historical background to Ireland’s megalithic structures when he writes, “The earliest evidence of human
Lazy Beds
The background behind lazy beds Lazy beds were the traditional way of growing potatoes in the west of Ireland (Roaringwater
