Hop on a bike and cycle the Great Western Greenway in County Mayo, a 26-mile walking and cycling track that takes in some of the West of Ireland’s best views. The greenway follows the old Great Western railway line from Westport to Achill Island, which first opened in 1895 and closed in 1937. The trail meanders along through woodlands and bogs, with views of Clew Bay and the Atlantic on one side and the Nephin Mountain on the other, and it’s traffic-free. Stop off in the village of Newport for tea and scones in Kelly’s Kitchen, or drop into McLoughlin’s in the seaside village of Mulranny for a drop of something a bit stronger and to take in the amazing views across Clew Bay to Croagh Patrick. Clew Bay Bike Hire has four bases along the trail, so you can drop your bike off along the way and the company will either bring your bags to your end point or collect you and return you to where you started. The greenway ends at Achill Island, where you can enjoy five Blue Flag beaches, go horseback riding, or try surfing or kitesurfing.
