Two Geesala Loop Walks begin in the village of Gweesalia; the Purple Loop offers views of Achill and several beaches. There are also activities on the Atlantic, an annual beach event held in August, and literary connections. This mix helps you decide whether Gweesalia suits your travel interests.
Loop Walks with Coastal Views
Both loop walks begin in the village of Gweesalia. Recommended minimum equipment for the Geesala Red Loop and the Geesala Purple Loop includes walking shoes, waterproof clothing, a mobile phone, and snacks and drinks. The Purple Loop offers views of Achill and the nearby beaches of Dooyork, Doolough, Roy and Doohoma. If coastal and island views matter when choosing a route, this perspective may make the Purple Loop the right choice.
The Coast and Activities on the Atlantic
The beaches in the Gweesalia–Doohoma area offer suitable starting points for kayaking, jet skiing and water skiing. There are also several access points for sea angling in the Atlantic waters around Gweesalia and Doohoma. The water sports and fishing opportunities are in the Gweesalia–Doohoma area, while both loop walks begin in the village. This distinction helps you choose between a walking focus in the village and activities across the wider coastal area.
Races and Festival Tradition
The Geesala Races take place annually in August at Doolough Beach in Gweesalia; horse and dog races are held there. If you plan to travel for this event, check the exact dates in advance.
The first Geesala Festival was held in 1993. Festival activities include horse racing, tug-of-war and other traditional sports, which take place in both Gweesalia and neighbouring Doolough Strand. The specific programme may vary from year to year.
Literature and Heritage
Those interested in culture also have a specific point of connection: the writer John Millington Synge often visited remote parts of the west of Ireland; in Gweesalia, he found inspiration for his best-known work, The Playboy of the Western World. Nearby is Carrowmore Lake, with heritage areas such as Ederglen and Glenturk. Literary heritage and named heritage areas therefore complement the walking routes and coastal themes of a stay here.
County Mayo in a Wider Context
County Mayo as a wider destination offers other cultural and historical attractions. The National Museum of Ireland in Turlough Park uses objects, rare archival photographs and films to present Ireland’s rural past; workshops, talks and guided tours are available there throughout the year. The gardens of Turlough Park are home to a diverse range of birdlife, flora and fauna, and are designated as a Green Heritage site. Knock Shrine offers a different historical focus: the pilgrimage site presents the story of the 1879 apparition at Knock and the development of the site into an international pilgrimage destination.
Croagh Patrick is also among the walking destinations in the wider destination of County Mayo: the mountain is 764 m high and has been a pilgrimage destination since pre-Christian times. The main summit route starts in Murrisk on the Louisburgh Road (R335) and is 7 km long, including the return journey.
Discover more destinations: Claremorris, Finny, Ross Port, Keel, Hollymount, Newport, Bunnacurry, Achill Sound
For the wider travel overview: County Mayo.
