Ballina Heritage Town
Discovery Points Near Ballina
Ballina – A town steeped in heritage, visitor attractions, woodland and river walks.
Read all about Mayo’s Cultural and Heritage sites here.
Jackie Clarke Collection
Steeped in Georgian and Victorian architecture, Pearse Street is home to the Jackie Clarke Collection, the most important collection of Irish historical material available, comprising over 100,000 items spanning 400 years. It includes artefacts associated with Theobald Wolfe Tone; letters from Michael Collins, Douglas Hyde, Michael Davitt and O’Donovan Rossa. It also contains rare books, proclamations, posters, political cartoons, pamphlets, handbills, works by Sir John Lavery, maps, hunger strike material and personal items from Leaders of The 1916 Rising.
Foxford Woolen Mills
The Foxford Woollen Mills Visitor Centre hosts two Art Galleries and an Exhibition Centre, with up to twelve exhibitions taking place each year. Renowned for quality rugs and blankets made from the finest Merino wool, mohair and lambswool, where the master craftsman meets modern Irish design with beautiful pieces sold both in Ireland and around the world.
Céide Fields
Step back in time to the most extensive Stone Age monument in the world, consisting of field systems, dwelling areas and megalithic tombs. The remains of stone field walls, houses and megalithic tombs are preserved beneath a blanket of peat over several square miles.
Belleek Castle
A 19th Century Castle situated on 1000 acres of woodland, just outside Ballina. Marshall Doran, the original owner of Belleek Castle, built the Armada Bar out of salvaged timber from the wreck of a Spanish Armada ship that washed into Killala Bay in the 16th century. The Irish Pirate Queen, Granuaile’s bed can be seen in the basement Museum along with a collection of medieval armour and weaponry and some very rare fossils.
Museum of Country Life
Explore four floors of award-winning exhibition galleries, a historic country house and formal gardens at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar.
Set in the spectacular grounds of Turlough Park House, this museum is located just five minutes’ drive from Castlebar and is the only branch of the National Museum of Ireland located outside Dublin.
The museum is home to Ireland’s National Folklife Collection and charts the day-to-day lives of our rural ancestors from the 1850s to the 1950s. Exhibitions explore an almost vanished way of life through traditional crafts and skills, life in the home, farming and fishing, life in the community, festivals and customs.
Killala Round Tower
The Killala Round Tower is situated in the town of Killala. It is a well-preserved tower and stands 26 metres high on a plinth 1metre high. The doorway is 3.5 metres above ground level. Damaged by lightning in the last century, it was repaired by Bishop Verschoyle. The original monastic foundation dates back to the 5th century when St. Patrick appointed Muiredach as the first bishop of Killala
Michael Davitt Museum
Michael Davitt is a famous Irish historical figure. The Michael Davitt Museum is now housed in the magnificently restored pre-penal church in the village of Straide, County Mayo. The Michael Davitt Museum contains an extensive collection of documents, photos, Land Acts, letters, postcards, posters and other items connected with Davitt’s life. Open Daily 10am – 6pm.
Enniscoe House & Gardens
The North Mayo Family Heritage Centre Ireland situated on the Enniscoe Country Estate is a dedicated centre set on promoting the rich heritage of the Mayo region. The centre is one of North Mayo’s main attractions, including, a museum displaying a collection of local farm and household artefacts from days gone by, the family history research centre allowing visitors to trace their Irish ancestry, an exhibition area and not to forget the popular tea rooms for a light snack while visiting.
On the grounds, you will also find the historic Victorian Walled Gardens and 19th Century pleasure grounds stretching to the shores of Lough Conn. The Gardens are open to the public all week between the months of April to October each year.
Did You Know?
Ballina is the home to Mary Robinson, who became the seventh President of Ireland and the first woman to hold that office.
Jack Charlton, former manager of the Irish soccer team was a regular visitor to Ballina as he had a holiday home in the area.
