The Bowers Way leads from Ballinrobe to Lough Mask. The town brings together this specific walking trail and other themes such as golf, church art and family research. This offers different ways to plan a stay: a route with named landscape sections, local history or a stay connected to your own family history.
The Bowers Way and its landscape
The walking trail runs from the town of Ballinrobe to Lough Mask. It follows the tree-lined Bowers towpath and then continues along the River Robe. The extended route also includes a woodland section in Creagh Woods. When choosing a route, you can decide whether to include this woodland section.
Historic buildings and church art
The historic walking tour of Ballinrobe includes Augustine Abbey. Near Bowers' Walk, the ruins of the Cavalry Barracks stand on the site of Ballinrobe Castle. St. Mary's Church was completed and officially opened in 1863. Four two-light windows by Harry Clarke depict early Irish saints there. These places offer different historical points of interest for planning a trip: a walking tour, ruins at a named site and artworks in the church.
Golf with a long history and practice facilities
The Ballinrobe Golf Club course is a championship parkland course; the club was founded in 1895. It is located on the historic, 300-acre Cloonacastle Estate. Facilities include a floodlit driving range with 12 hitting bays, dedicated chipping and pitching areas, and a large practice green. The clubhouse is housed in a 250-year-old house and restored farm buildings. The club thus combines its sporting features with historic buildings.
Family research and practical planning
The South Mayo Family Research Centre in Ballinrobe offers a comprehensive service to people researching their family history. The centre has digitised more than one million records; the size of the collection may change. It also specialises in individually researched family history reports. When planning family research, digital records and individually prepared reports can be considered as different starting points.
The annual Heritage Day draws visitors to the town. Check the event dates for your travel period. The nearest railway station to Ballinrobe is Claremorris, from where there is a bus connection. As transport services may change, it is advisable to check the latest timetables before departure.
Culture and nature in County Mayo
In County Mayo, the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park presents Ireland's rural past through objects, rare archival photographs and films. Workshops, talks and tours are offered there year-round. A daily service on route 454, operated by Mayo Local Link, connects the museum with Castlebar and Ballina. The gardens at Turlough Park are also home to a diverse birdlife, flora and fauna, and are designated a Green Heritage site.
Discover more destinations: Kilsallagh, Belmullet, Coogue, Doogort, Aghamore, Islandeady, Doohooma, Killala.
Back to the county travel overview: County Mayo.
