Carrowmore

County Mayo


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.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby County Mayo attractions

2. Old Head

2.11 MILES

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.

3. Granuaile's Castle

5.68 MILES

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

4. Clare Island Abbey

7.07 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…

5. National Famine Memorial

7.43 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…

6. Murrisk Abbey

7.44 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.

7. Knockmore

8.63 MILES

A hike up 462m Knockmore in the northwest of the island rewards with superb views over Clare Island's sheep-dotted moorlands to the mainland beyond.

8. Grace O'Malley's Castle

9.16 MILES

The 40ft-high, 15th-century tower house rising beside the shore at Kildownet is associated with the pirate queen Grace O'Malley. Entering through a steel…