Wild Atlantic Way

Ballina and the surrounding villages are home to four of Mayo’s discovery points including Ballina Quay, Céide Fields, Lacken Bay and Killala Quay.

Ballina Quay

Ballina Quay is Mayo’s last Discovery Point on the Wild Atlantic Way and is located just 11 minutes from our Great National Hotel Ballina. It is one of the most picturesque parts of Ballina on the eastern side of the Moy, it is a quiet and peaceful setting. There are many boats tied up on the river.

The Belleek Woods is situated along the banks of the River Moy directly across from the Quay village. The Park is an area of immense peace and tranquillity with up to 6 miles of natural forest pathways, two of which run along the banks of the Moy.
Take a relaxing walk through Belleek Forest Park where the only sounds you will hear are the rustling of the trees, the lapping waters of the river Moy and the songs of the birds.

Céide Fields

Step back in time to the most extensive Stone Age monument in the world, consisting of field systems, dwelling areas and megalithic tombs. The remains of stone field walls, houses and megalithic tombs are preserved beneath a blanket of peat over several square miles.

Céide Fields contain a 1,500-hectare archaeological site of stone walls, field systems, enclosures and tombs, dating from about 5,000 years ago, which have been preserved beneath the bog. It is the most extensive stone age site in the world. The wild flora of the bog is of international importance and is bounded by some of the most spectacular rock formations and cliffs in Ireland.

Céide Fields is located just 35 minutes from Great National Hotel Ballina.

Lacken Bay

Overlooking the Atlantic, this rugged coastline bay offers stunning views of Mayo, Sligo and Donegal. Rich in history, Lacken is the site of the French landing at Kilcummin Strand in 1798 and the start of General Humbert’s march to Ballina. The Céide Fields are located nearby. Situated just 27 minutes from Great National Hotel Ballina, it’s ideally situated.

With miles of beautiful shoreline and stunning unspoilt beaches, the scenic beauty of Lacken is quite unrivalled. This area is steeped in history with many monastic ruins to explore, rich in archaeology with the Céide Fields nearby. The area is abundant in flora, fauna, beautiful beaches and pure fresh air to exhilarate even the weariest traveller.

Killala Quay

Killala is a picturesque seaside village six and a half miles north-west of Ballina in north Mayo. The town of Killala is famous in Irish history for the part it played in the 1798 rebellion – “The Year of the French”.

There are beautiful, unspoilt beaches in the region, including nearby Ross – a Blue Flag beach, excellent for swimming and other watersports. Seals can often be seen in Killala Bay or nearby Bartra Island. This area is very rich in archaeology: the Ceide Fields and the most impressive Mayo’s abbeys, Moyne Abbey and Rosserk Abbey, are all within easy reach.

Killala Quay is located just 18 minutes from our Great National Hotel Ballina.