Failte Ireland - Ireland Buyers Guide 2018

DAY 2 DISCOVER BALLYCROY NATIONAL PARK Located on Ireland’s western seaboard, breath-taking Ballycroy is Ireland’s second largest National Park, spanning 15,000ha of land. Visitors can traverse Owenduff blanket bog , one of the last intact active blanket bog systems in Ireland and western Europe, and admire the landscape of the imposing Nephin Beg mountain range. The park provides habitats for and protects species such as Greenland white-fronted geese, golden plover, red grouse and otter, and is part of the Owenduff/Nephin Complex Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area. The Ballycroy National Park Visitor Centre , located on theWild AtlanticWay in Ballycroy village, houses an interpretative exhibition of the landscape, habitats and species found in the park, as well as information on the surrounding area. Additional facilities include toilets, a coach car park, outdoor picnic areas and a coffee shop. Disabled access is available at the visitor centre. Duration experience 1.5 hours Lunch in Belmullet Feel the High with Wavesweeper Sea Adventures … don’t let the names of some of the jumps while coasteering withWavesweeper Sea Adventures in County Mayo put you off; spend your time climbing cliffs, plunging into the pristine Atlantic Ocean, riding the swell across the rocks and exploring nearby caves. Climb ‘Jacob’s Ladder’, take a plunge into the ocean, and enter ‘Davy Jones’ Locker’, a deep cave with a hidden cavern behind it. Using the power of the Atlantic swell thrust yourself across the rocks to ‘Rowley’s Wall of Death’ before making your way back to the highest jump ‘TheWidow Maker’.While your nerves might be tested the feeling of accomplishment and adrenaline will make it all worthwhile. Allow 2.5 hours for this experience Dinner and Overnight in Belmullet DAY 3 WILD ATLANTICWAY – BAY COAST/SURF COAST Céide Fields in County Mayo is home to the world’s oldest known stone walls, dating back nearly 6,000 years, as well as the most extensive Stone Age monument in the world, consisting of field systems, dwelling areas and megalithic tombs. It’s not just the ancient sites that attract visitors to these fields; it’s also the thousands of acres of wild, natural bog that blanket them. The colour of the bog land, its unique vegetation and wildlife make for a visually arresting tableau. Discover how this landscape has changed from forest to farmland to boglands on a guided walking tour of the area, before putting it all into context at the visitor centre, where you can explore the archaeology and botany of the region and learn about Neolithic life.With your head full of satisfied curiosity, pay a visit to the viewing platform. Positioned on the edge of a 110m high cliff, it commands views as far away as Sligo and Donegal. Allow 2 hours for this experience Lunch in Ballina Resting on the shores of Killala Bay, Enniscrone and its five kilometre long golden sandy beach is the perfect getaway. Start your day with a rejuvenating beach walk and explore a town packed with hidden gems which you can discover using the guided audio walk that details its history and archaeology, including “The Black Pig”, a curious local sculpture. 49 Benbulben, Co. Sligo Downpatrick Head, Co. Mayo