County Mayo braces itself against the Alantic and therby provides an astonishing landscape; long sheltered beaches, dramatic mountains, loughs and tumbling rivers and streams. It is a paradise for anglers, golfers, yachtsmen, hikers, and for lovers of wildlife; birds,deer, otter and many other speicies can be found in profusion. County Mayo has also many sites and artefacts of significance often pre-dating Christianity; from fascinating stone age remains at Ceide Fields to the tiny pilgrim's church atop Croagh Patrick. The county is a great spiritual experience.

Castlebar is famous for the historic "Castlebar Races" - when the English were put to flight by a small contingent of Irish and French forces. As the county town of Mayo, Castlebar is, today, something of a festival city with festivals for walking, the arts, the Senses, a Golf week and an International Blues Festival of Music.

Croagh Patrick:
This is the sacred mountain that towers above Westport and is reputed to have been climbed by St Patrick in 441 AD. In 1905, a small church at its summit was built by three local craftsmen.

Bellmullet Peninsula:
It stretches out into the Atlantic and is an area of outstanding natural beauty famous for its bird life and large number of megalithic tombs, huts, pillar stones and ruined forts.

Knock:
In 1879, the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph and St. John appeared on the church. The recurring visions have made this a centre of pilgrimage. A vast basilica, seating twenty thousand people, was built nearby.

Ceide Fields:
This is one of Ireland's most exciting discoveries. Megalithic tombs and dwellings dating back to the stone Age.

Foxford Woolen Mills:
Started by Mother Arsenius to stem the tide of emigration in the mid 19th century, is world famous for its cloth. The Visitors Centre will show you how Foxford' cottage industry prospered from her intriguing enterprise.

Otter watching:
This can be arranged on guided walks around Clew Bay with an expert who explains how to find them.

Sea, game and coarse fishing, diving/swimming, sailing, riding, walking trails, clay shooting, ten pin bowling, fitness centre.

Castlebar, Parkland course, 18 holes, 6229 yards, Par 69.
Founded 1910.
Westport, Championship parkland course, 18 holes, 7606 yards, Par 71.
Founded 1973. Designed by Hawtree & Son.
Enniscrone, Championship seaside course, 18 holes, 6487 yards, Par 72.
Founded 1918. Designer E. Hackett.
Bellmullet, Seaside links course, 18 holes, 6579 yards.
Founded 1925. Designer E Hackett.

Jennings Hotel, Castlebar, Mayo
Ross Lake House Hotel, Oughterard, Galway - 76 miles
Castle Leslie, Glaslough, Monaghan - 140 miles.