Holiday cottages in County Mayo, Ireland

County Mayo has a long Atlantic coastline with many safe beaches ideal for swimming and surfing. There are many charming fishing settlements along the coast and Westport is popular for sailing and a night out with traditional Irish music.

• Self-catering cottages in Ireland for fishing holidays

Just off the coast is Achill Island. The island is known for its vertigo inducing cliffs and 5 Blue Flag beaches. The island is popular for outdoor activities such as hillwalking, cycling and watersports such as canoeing and windsurfing. Historical sites on the island include the 16th century Tower at Kildavent and the Deserted Village.

• Holiday cottages in Ireland 

Back on the mainland, there is some haunting mountain scenery at Croagh Patrick. This has been a sacred pagan site for millennia. Today, the religious tradition continues in the form of an annual Christian pilgrimage, where many of the pilgrims scale the rough rocks in bare feet. Ouch! The mountain was the site where St Patrick banished all snakes from Ireland.

Another sacred site is the Dolmen, near Ballina, which marks the burial place of an ancient Irish king. The town of Ballina is built on the banks of the River Moy is a great location for salmon fishing. Nearby is the 15th century Franciscan Moyne Abbey. Much of the abbey lies in ruins now, but a sense of the spirit of the Franciscan monks lives on.  

Self-catering holiday cottages, pine lodges and apartments to rent in County Mayo: