Achill Islands, 16 m. W. from Castlebar, lie at the mouth of Clewbay, and afford much amusement to the sportsman. The scenery wild and rude.
Ballinrobe, 11 m. S. of Castlebar, a well-built town. See Charter School and ruins of Abbey; ancient Castle, now Horse Barracks; the inn clean and comfortable. At Ballaghadireen, wild and romantic scenery; ancient Castle in ruins. Ballyhannys, 16 m. N.E. has ruins of venerable Abbey. Cong, now an inconsiderable village, was once the capital of the Kings of Connaught; and stands in a romantic situation between the Loughs Corrib and Mask. It contains some ruins of an Abbey, which, in consequence of its arches being partly semicircular and partly Gothic or pointed, is supposed to be as early as the 12th century. Long celebrated for its sanctity, it became for ages the sepulchral depÔt of the powerful and the holy, the chieftain and the priest, whose dust lies mingled with its sombre yet majestic ruins. Near it a broad river rushes at once from beneath a sloping bank, and after a rapid course loses itself in the Lough. This is supposed to be the outlet of a subterraneous channel, through which the superfluous waters of Lough Mask are discharged. The scenery around is most romantic. Hollymount, 6 m. N.E., has a neat Ch.; also Newbrook House, seat of Lord Clanmorris. Lough Carra, 3 m. N., has some wild scenery, especially a tract of rocky ground, at a distance like an immense sheet of white stone, deserving mineralogical notice. Lough Mask offers some good scenery:—inquire for the gillaroo trout with gizzards like a fowl. Neal village, 3 m. S., with magnificent mansion of Lord Kilmaine. About 16 m. N.E., visit the Abbey of Urlare in a wild, romantic, secluded district. The walls are still entire, and were never very lofty; the eastern window is very fine, with the remains of an altar beneath it. It was anciently a place of great sanctity; and the sepulchral depository of the surrounding chieftains. Archdall states, from tradition, that a town once existed in its vicinity.
Castlebar, 119 m. N.W. from Dublin, is the county town; of good appearance, and in a romantic situation on a river near the Lake of Raheens. See the venerable Castle of Lord Lucan; Barracks; two Bridges; and Ch. Memorable as being taken by the French in 1798. At Ball, or Ballagh, see remains of Abbey, lofty round tower, and holy well; and near to it the plains of Mayo, where once stood a city, with ruins of Cathedral and other vestiges. Belcarna, 2 m. S.E., in romantic situation on banks of a fine river; Ch., and mansion of Lord Tyrawley. Ballintubber Abbey has extensive remains, 5 m. S.W., a mass of ruins, but still offering some very fine specimens of ancient ecclesiastical architecture in its solemn Gothic arcades. Grose has given a fine view of the interior of the Abbey, which, he observes, was a noble structure, of excellent workmanship, and the whole admirably finished. The existing ruins are by no means equal to the original extent; but much gratification will be afforded by the examination of the chancel part, still in good preservation in consequence of the roof remaining, with two Chapels on each side into which the visitor is admitted through lofty Gothic arches. The roof of the chancel is curious, its groinings springing not from pillars, but from consoles in the side-walls, highly ornamented with sculpture. The great altar still remains under the east window, which consists of three arches; and the altars yet exist in the smaller chapels. See the noble arch, 45 feet in height, which once supported the now fallen tower; also the principal door, a pointed arch supported by pillars. In various parts of the thick walls are doors and passages, speaking of secrecy and seclusion, and dear to the lover of romance. Croagh Patrick mountain, 2660 feet high, presents a fine effect to the S.W. Foxford, 8 m. N.E., is in decay, but sweetly seated on the river Moy: near it are ruins of an old Castle, with lake, and ruins of Ch. At Kilkelly, 10 m. E. is a remarkable echo, repeating seven times clearly and distinctly, in a wild romantic glen, ornamented with thick foliage and a murmuring Stream. Lough Conn, 5 m. N.E., is surrounded by picturesque scenery; with ruins of Friary on Erew peninsula. Mount Nephin, a solitary mountain 2640 feet high, stands at the pass of Barnagee, with most extensive prospect, about 8 m. N. of Castlebar. At Strade, 5 m. E., are some very solemn ruins of an ancient Dominican Abbey of the 13th century, which contains some curious specimens of antique tombs of the superior order of Irish chieftains, adorned with figures in relief. See also the Gothic ornaments of the high altar. Whilst in this vicinity the antiquarian tourist will not neglect to visit the round tower of Turlogh, 70 feet in height, 9 in internal diameter, and having its entrance 29 feet from the ground. It is built close to the Ch.; or rather the Ch. has been erected so close to it as to touch it, and, though of more modern structure, is now in ruins.
Killala, a seaport, 15 m. N. of Castlebar, is memorable for the landing of the French in 1798. Situation pleasant. See Cathedral; episcopal palace; round tower. Ballina, 5 m. S.E., stands pleasantly on the river Moy, with a good salmon fishery; some ancient Castles in vicinity. Downpatrick, 12 m. W., has some remains of very ancient fortifications, with curious natural arch formed by the waves on the rocky shore; several other caverns and much romantic scenery in the vicinity. At Mullet in the western district is much scenery worth seeing, also a very ancient and curious monument in good preservation, called by Governor Pownall, in the 7th vol. of ArchÆologia, a ship Temple, upon the summit of a conical hill. The river Moy, which divides this county from Sligo, has on its banks three round towers, and ruins of several Abbeys. Moyne Abbey, 2 m. distant, has most venerable ruins in a romantic sequestered situation on the Moy. The ruins extensive and in good preservation; scenery most picturesque. 3 m. distant are some curious remains of an ancient Franciscan Monastery, called Rossarick. It is built of blueish stone, with arches principally Gothic. The tower remains, and has a confession-box of hewn stone with small oriels or little ears on each side, through which the penitents whispered their sorrows.
Westport, 8 m. S.W. of Castlebar, is a regular built modern town, with many handsome houses and a most excellent inn, which renders it a good station for the tourist, as it lies well for the whole western district, in which there is much romantic scenery, diversified by marine views, lakes, and rivers. See Marquis of Sligo's elegant residence. Aghagower, 10 m. S.E., has ruins of fine old Abbey and round tower. Burrishoole, 5 m. N., has extensive ruins of Abbey. Carigahooly has ruins of Grana Uile's Castle. Croagh Patrick must be visited. Glanmire interests the mineralogist by its slate quarries. Morisk on the sea coast is supposed to be the place where St. Patrick drove all the venomous reptiles into the ocean. Newport Pratt has a good harbour with most romantic scenery, of mountain, rock, sea, and islands. Rockfleet is an old Castle of Grace O'Malley, or Grana Uile.
