# Mayo

> **Type:** WAW Section 3 of 7
> **Dates:** ~Aug 15–17 (3 days)
> **Recommended stay:** 3 days
> **Best for:** Ireland's best small town (Westport), Achill Island, holy mountain, ancient bog

## Why Visit
Mayo contains two of the best experiences on the entire Wild Atlantic Way: Achill Island (the most spectacular island cycling in Ireland) and Westport (the town that keeps getting voted Ireland's best). The north Mayo coast adds one of the world's oldest archaeological landscapes.

## Must-See

- **Westport** — Planned Georgian town on the Carrowbeg River, consistently voted Ireland's favourite town. Outstanding pub and restaurant scene for its size, good EV charging, excellent base for the whole section. Matt Molloy's pub (owned by The Chieftains' flautist) has traditional music nightly.
- **Achill Island** — Ireland's largest island, connected by a bridge — no ferry needed. **Keem Bay** is a pristine turquoise beach in a natural cliffside amphitheatre; the drive/cycle to it is one of the most dramatic in Ireland. The Slievemore Deserted Village (over 100 stone houses abandoned during the Famine) is haunting and very quiet. Excellent cycling on quiet Atlantic Drive roads.
- **Croagh Patrick** — Ireland's holiest mountain; pilgrims climb it barefoot on the last Sunday of July (Reek Sunday). The quartzite cone above Clew Bay is one of Ireland's most iconic views. The hike takes 3–4h return; the summit (764m) has a small chapel and extraordinary views over the bay's 365 islands on a clear day.
- **Céide Fields** — The world's most extensive Stone Age monument: a complete 5,000-year-old farming landscape (field walls, houses, tombs) preserved intact under the bog. On the north Mayo coast; good detour if driving the full coastal route.

## Itinerary

### Day 1 — Arrive Westport, settle, Atlantic Drive
Arrive from Sligo (~1.5h). Check in, charge the car. Afternoon: short drive of the Atlantic Drive loop on Achill Island (40 min each way from Westport) or a walk along Westport Quay. Evening in Westport — Matt Molloy's for music.

### Day 2 — Achill Island full day
Drive to Achill (40 min). Cycle or drive the island: Keem Bay (the highlight), Slievemore Deserted Village, Achill Head viewpoint. Pack a lunch — options are limited on the island. Slow charger at Keel if needed. Back to Westport to charge overnight.

### Day 3 — Croagh Patrick + Céide Fields (optional)
Early start for Croagh Patrick from Murrisk (trailhead, 30 min from Westport). Hike: 3–4h return. Afternoon: either rest in Westport, or drive the north Mayo coast to Céide Fields (1h from Westport) if you haven't seen it. Begin moving south toward Connemara.

## EV Charging

**Situation: Patchy. Westport is the anchor — everything else is a day trip from there.**

- **Westport** — ESB ecars fast charger in the town centre; treat as your overnight charging base
- **Castlebar** (15 min east) — ESB charger; useful backup
- **Ballina** — ESB charger on the north coast route
- **Achill Island (Keel)** — Slow public charger; sufficient for a top-up while on the island but don't rely on it as a primary stop
- **Céide Fields area** — No public charger; charge in Ballina before heading there

## Practical Info
- **Base:** Westport — the clear choice. Book ahead in August; it fills up.
- **Achill:** Bring food and water — limited services beyond Keel village
- **Croagh Patrick:** Wear sturdy shoes. The summit path is loose quartzite scree. Worth it on a clear day; not worth it in cloud.
- **Currency:** Euro

## Links
- [Westport Tourism](https://www.westporttourism.com)
- [Achill Island](https://www.achilltourism.com)
- [Croagh Patrick](https://www.croagh-patrick.com)
- [Céide Fields](https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/ceide-fields/)