Doohooma’s long sandy beach at An Ceann Ramhar, views of Achill Island and the Mullet Peninsula, and the Doohoma Coastal Loop give the area several distinct highlights. When choosing accommodation, it’s worth considering what you’d most like to do on your trip: spend time at the beach, walk a coastal route or play golf.
Peninsula, Beach and Views
The Doohoma Peninsula is almost an island: only a narrow isthmus near Geesala connects it to the mainland of Erris. Doohooma offers a wide panorama of sea, sky and mountains all around. Achill Island lies about two miles to the south, across Tallaghan Bay; Sliabh MĂłr and the high cliffs of Achill Head shape the view.
An Ceann Ramhar, also known as Doohoma Head, has a long sandy beach. From there, you can look out over Achill Island and the surrounding Mullet Peninsula. An Ceann Ramhar is also a stop along the Wild Atlantic Way. The beach views connect this specific place by the water with the broader landscape around it.
Beach, Coastal Walk or Golf
Doohooma Beach is suitable for swimming, surfing and sailing. This makes it more than just a viewpoint, bringing together the scenery and activities on the water.
If you’d like to plan a walk rather than spend your whole visit at the beach, the Doohoma Coastal Loop is a clearly defined option. The route starts and finishes at the Sea Rod Inn in Doohooma and is 7.4 km long. It is considered moderately challenging, with an estimated walking time of about two hours. Along the way, there are excellent views of Doohoma Head and Achill Island. The distance, difficulty level and approximate duration give you concrete details to help assess the walk as a separate activity. The estimated walking time allows for rough planning, while the rating and distance make it easier to decide whether to take the route.
There is a golf course at Doohoma Head where visitors can play nine holes. This adds another type of activity to the choice between the beach and the coastal walk. While the Loop is described in terms of an estimated walking time and difficulty level, the golf course offers a specific format: a nine-hole round.
Fishing and Culture in County Mayo
Fishing is also part of the area’s character. It has a long and proud tradition in Doohooma; lobster, crab and mackerel fishing takes place at Doohoma Head and in the surrounding waters. The picture of the area therefore encompasses not only scenery and leisure activities but also a maritime tradition rooted in the local community. This cultural aspect sits alongside the options of the beach, walking and golf, giving you another point to consider when choosing where to stay.
For those interested in culture, the wider destination of County Mayo offers more to explore. The National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park presents Ireland’s rural past through objects, rare archival photographs and films; workshops, talks and guided tours are offered there throughout the year. Knock Shrine tells the story of the 1879 apparition at Knock and how the place developed into an international pilgrimage destination. These themes offer a different perspective from Doohooma’s beach, coastal walk and fishing.
Discover more destinations: Tawnyinah, Cong, Glencorrib, Kilsallagh, Aasleagh, Bellagarvaun, Mallaranny, Ballyglass
For the wider travel overview: County Mayo.
