Tourists have their say on the best things to do in one of Ireland's underrated counties

Even though Ireland is a small place, it is full of amazing experiences, and many of them are overlooked. One of those underrated corners of Ireland, with far too few international tourists making the journey there, is Co Mayo.

Located on the west coast of Ireland along the Wild Atlantic Way, Co Mayo is up there with the most naturally beautiful parts of Ireland. Home to stunning places like Achill Island and bustling towns like Castlebar, Co Mayo is somewhere we think should be on your Ireland hit list.

But what are the best things to do there? Well, the best people to learn from are the people who have visited before.

We recently looked at the best things to do in Cork according to tourists and got a stellar list based on their recommendations online. So now, we are turning our attention to one of the most overlooked parts of Ireland.

Here are the best things to do in Co May according to tourists.

Croagh Patrick

Taking the top spot as the best-rated thing for tourists to do in Co Mayo, according to Tripadvisor, is Croagh Patrick. This gorgeous hike gives you some of the best views in all of Ireland, overlooking scenes like Clew Bay.

It is also a popular annual pilgrimage and sees people climbing to the top in their bare feet, although you can absolutely wear hiking boots when you decide to ascend to the top. “Challenging but rewarding climb of Ireland`s most sacred mountain,“ said one visitor.

“Make sure you climb this mountain on a clear day and have proper walking/climbing shoes/boots with good grip because the last bit of the hike involves climbing on chunky white rocks to the peak.“

A monument to Saint Patrick from the top of Croagh Patrick, overlooking Clew Bay

Keem Bay

Keem Bay is a world-famous destination and somewhere you might recognize from the Oscar-nominated The Banshees of Inisherin. It has regularly been recognized as one of the best beaches in the world and recently, it was named the most relaxing beach in all of Europe.

Achill Island is reached by a short bridge and truly is one of the most beautiful places in Ireland. One visitor said of Keem Bay: “Beautiful beach, great for swimming. Views are stunning.“

Another said: “Definitely one of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland. Lovely Sandy beach and once in the water the beach gently sloped so great for Kids. We were lucky to get the weather on the day we landed, but it’s a beautiful place to visit.“

Achill Island off the coast of Co Mayo seen from above on a sunny day

Westport House & Gardens

Westport House & Gardens is a fascinating visit for those interested in history. You can take a guided tour of the 300-year-old home and learn about the kings, queens, pirates, and slaves that once walked through its halls.

One previous visitor said of the experience: “Amazing tour! Our tour guide Moirin was fantastic, very entertaining, and knowledgeable. The house is beautiful even if showing the signs of time – that’s what makes it even more interesting and it’s all part of its very interesting history.“

view of Westport House in Co Mayo on a sunny day

The Great Western Greenway

The Great Western Greenway is a stunning walking and cycling route that takes you along some of Co Mayo’s most beautiful scenic spots. It stretches for an impressive 42 kilometers and passes through the towns of Newport and Mulranny as it runs along the coast of Clew Bay.

One previous visitor said: “This was definitely a highlight of our trip! Nice to take a break from the city and be outside. We rented e-bikes and rode from Achill to Westport.“

From Croagh Patrick, a major Catholic pilgrimage site in Ireland, you can see many of Clew Bay’s islands

National Museum of Ireland – Country Life

Located in Turlough village, eight kilometers northeast of Castlebar, is The National Museum of Ireland – Country Life. Here, you will find fascinating exhibitions covering archaeology, decorative arts, and country life.

It really gives you an interesting look into how people lived in generations gone by in Ireland. One visitor summed up the experience when they wrote: “The grounds are lovely. The museum has all you could wish to know, set out in a way that it’s easy to read and learn a great deal about country life in Ireland.

“As well as the museum building, we enjoyed a walk on the grounds. There is no charge, but it certainly merits visitors making a donation.“

For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here.