One thing you’ll always be at Lough Lannagh is spoilt for choice. There’s so much to do it can be hard to figure out where to start. We’ve narrowed it down a little for you and below you’ll find five great things to do in the west of Ireland – none of which will cost you a penny. But be warned, each of these will lead to many more brilliant options – just make sure you’ve plenty of time.

1. National parks – with some of Europe’s most spectacular scenery, Ireland is a wonderland for the nature lover. And when it comes to national parks, we have two favourites. Situated in the West of Ireland in County Galway, Connemara National Park covers some 2,957 hectares of scenic mountains, expanses of bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands. Some of the Park’s mountains, namely Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght, are part of the famous Twelve Bens or Beanna Beola range. Ballycroy National Park was established in November 1998, it is Ireland’s sixth National Park and is located on the Western seaboard in northwest Mayo. It has 11,000 hectares of Atlantic blanket bog and mountainous terrain, covering a vast uninhabited and unspoilt wilderness dominated by the Nephin Beg mountain range.
2. The 42km Great Western Greenway is the longest off-road walking and cycling trail in Ireland. The World Class Great Western Greenway is a traffic free cycling and walking trail which follows the route of the renowned Westport to Achill railway which closed in 1937. We love the Greenway – ask us all about it at Lough Lannagh and we’ll give you the full picture.
3. Festivals are simply everywhere, right throughout the west. One of our favourites is the choral festival on every year, right on our doorstep here in Castlebar. Whether it’s sport, music or the arts, we can assure you, there’s a festival out west for you.
4. Bird, bat, cloud, dolphin watching –for the nature lover, the West simply will not disappoint. Ask us about wildlife watching. From dolphins off the Mayo coast to bird watching on marshland, there’s so much going on.
5. Take part in conservation work – we have a rich heritage, both natural and built. In recent years, many people have enjoyed doing conservation work on some of our established national icons and sites of historical interest.

And that’s just a taster. Keep an eye out on our blog page for detailed blogs on many of the above. Most of all though, talk to us at the front desk in Lough Lannagh. We know the region inside out and if it’s going on out west, we’ll know all about it, so where will you go first? Talk to us or check availability.

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We’re proud of our hometown at Lough Lannagh. We’re right in Castlebar, Co. Mayo and so many of our guests from both our B&B and self-catering accommodation just love to roam around the town for some shopping, culture, history and more. Castlebar has so much to offer. From national museums to two top class theatres as well as a wide range of pubs and restaurants, you will not be short of anything to do during your stay here. It’s a busy town that now has a third level campus and is well served by railway and many bus routes too.

The modern town grew up as a settlement around the de Barry castle, which was built by a Norman adventurer in 1235 and gives the town its name. The castle was located at the end of Castle Street, where the town river is thought to have originally flowed. Like many an Irish town dating from this period, armed conflict has been a big part our town’s historical heritage. French forces under the command of General Humbert routed the English garrison in the town during the failed Irish Rebellion of 1798, which was so comprehensive it would later be known as “The Races of Castlebar”.

We’re glad to say modern day Castlebar is a lot less bloody thankfully but the story of our town’s history is everywhere. Just outside the town, the National Museum of country life is focused on ordinary life from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, with much of the material coming from rural Ireland in the 1930s. There are displays on the home, the natural environment, communities and forces for change.

Castlebar does love its culture alright. The Linenhall theatre exhibits visual art throughout the year, and hosts live drama and music performances. It also organises an annual children’s arts festival called Roola Boola which is one festival that has always held a specula place in our hearts. The Royal Theatre and Event Centre has a bigger capacity and hosts larger-scale productions and popular music concerts. Usually lots of comedy too.

Or if you’d just like to take it easy, Castlebar is a brilliant shopping town and you’ll find all the major brands in many of its wide variety of shops,. You’ll also see lots of craft products in the several artisan shops dotted around the town. Add in playgrounds, several sporting clubs and a bowling alley and cinema too and you get the picture. Castlebar is alive and well and one blog does not do it justice!

When you stay with us at Lough Lannagh, just ask us on the front desk and we’re more than happy to talk about our hometown, where to go and what to do….better still…BOOK NOW

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College days are over for a little while! If you’re a medical student and are out on placement at Mayo General, we have got the prefect accommodation for you and lots of facilities too. Every year, students from all over the country stay with us at Lough Lannagh as we offer fantastic medical student rates and are within walking distance of the hospital for when you are on call. We know you’ll have to get the books out in January for your finals too so we can ensure you’ve somewhere quiet to study.
Doing a medical degree in college can be a tough course! And you’re probably looking forward to getting onto the wards and seeing what life is like as a doctor in a busy hospital like Mayo General. You need accommodation close by to Castlebar and we can help. At Lough Lannagh you can rent self catering accommodation or stay at our lodge and get B&B if you wish. If budget is a concern, we can offer special academic rates on our self catering options. Many students have stayed with us before and have found us an ideal location within walking distance of the hospital – perfect for your first night on-call.
For your days off or even during your free time during the day (don’t worry, you will have some!!) there’s so much to do. Lough Lannagh Outdoor Fitness trail will keep you in top tip condition. In terms of equipment, there are our cardiovascular and resistance training areas including a walking and running route sure to get you heart pumping. So you can see why so many choose to stay with us at Lough Lannagh.
Even though you’re working, you’ll still have to face your finals. And what better place to study than in peaceful Mayo where you can get down to the books when you need to in January. Free WiFi and walking distance of Mayo County Library. So, come on, check out availability now.