By Elizabeth B
Ireland is full of incredible places, from ancient castles to ornate museums and cozy visitor centers to dramatic, towering cliffs, waiting to be explored in 2025.
However, no county does outdoors quite like County Mayo!
Known for its rugged coastline, long sandy beaches, and crystal-clear waters, County Mayo has its share of tourist attractions and reasons to visit, many of which are outdoors. You don’t have to be fit or have expensive outdoor gear or equipment to explore the outdoors. We don’t get many weather extremes in Ireland, and in the event of rain, there is usually an alternative place to wait it out.
County Mayo has so many brilliant landmarks and features. Here are just a few unique outdoor experiences to help you plan your next adventure!
1. Stop to Stargaze in Wild Nephin International Dark Sky Park
As if the scenery isn’t impressive enough in daylight, County Mayo is home to the country's first Dark Sky Park, too!
What does this mean?
It means that low levels of light pollution in Mayo contribute to some of the most pristine skies in Europe. On a clear night, expect to see over 4,500 stars, as well as shooting stars, meteors, and meteor showers, with the Milky Way appearing much more frequently than most locations in the country.
Mayo Dark Skies Org are based in Wild Nephin National Park, a large wildlife park dedicated to the conservation of nature. The park includes the most remote part of Ireland, where one can explore the wilderness over 8km from the nearest road!
Dark Skies Development Officer Georgia MacMillan and her team are dedicated to spreading awareness about light pollution, offering free seasonal night hikes, educational programs, and drop-in information sessions in the visitor center.
Check it out here: Welcome to the Mayo Dark Sky Park
Visit the National Park during the day to be awed by the variety of flora and fauna making the bogland home and stay until nightfall for an incredible celestial spectacle.
The center includes galleries, an exhibition space, and a café serving coffee and cakes. Leave plenty of time on your itinerary for your visit. As their slogan goes, half the park is after dark!
2. Trike On the Tracks on a Velorail
If you like slow travel, and a little exercise too, you’ll love the Velorail.
What better way to see the countryside and immerse yourself in the landscape than on the train tracks?
The newly opened attraction in the village of Kiltimagh shows an innovative and sustainable use of old infrastructure. The last passenger train left this station in 1963, and the tracks have lain idle ever since. Until now!
Visitors can rent a 2-seater, 4-seater, or 5-seater ‘rail bike’ (it’s more like a modified cart with a weatherproof roof, bucket seats, handrails, breaks, and sturdy pedals) and take off down the tracks.
Propelled by your own steam, you’ll experience County Mayo from an unexpected angle, traversing the wilderness at a leisurely pace.
The rail bikes travel in convoy, over 4.5 km of track through unkempt wilderness, with stunning views of lush green fields and Irish hedgerow countryside, before the old train turntable comes to life and faces the vehicles around for the return journey!
No map reading skills are necessary to navigate the Velorail, and there’s no danger of getting lost. Suitable for all ages, with wheelchair-friendly carts available, Mayo’s newest train attraction is open for business!
Check out the Velorail here: Home – Velorail Kiltimagh
Top tip: Plan to get to Kiltimagh a little early, as there is a cool sculpture park beside the station and there are plenty of options for dining in the town!
3. Take a Stroll Through Time on a Really Great Tour
Have you ever heard how one little fishing village in north County Mayo shaped the course of history, or how thousands of impoverished individuals left Ireland from one bay to start a new life in the New World?
These and other engaging stories are explored in detail on a walking tour of Blacksod!
The historic village waits at the end of the sandy Mullet Peninsula, one of Ireland’s most remote locations. There are so many tales to tell between the lighthouse, the memorial garden, and the pier.
Bill Duffy of Really Great Tours explains: “Blacksod looks quite unassuming at first glance, but scratch the surface and you’ll find many brilliant stories surrounding it. The lighthouse is unusual as one of Ireland's only square lighthouses; the connection to WW2 and Eisenhower is always surprising to our visitors, and with so much diaspora comes so many more connections all over the world. A walking tour is a great introduction to any area!”
Bill operates tours of Blacksod, Belmullet, and Ballina as well as the greater County Mayo region.
Check out Really Great Tours here: Really Great Tours
4. Sightsee from Sea Level on a Kayak
Launching from the Quay in Ballina, County Mayo, a Paddle and Peddle Kayaking Tour will have you seeing County Mayo differently! You don’t have to be an accomplished kayaker to enjoy this experience, since it’s a slow and steady bob along the river, not a competition.
Most famous for its salmon stocks, the River Moy cuts the town of Ballina in two, wending its way to the sea in Killala Bay.
The tour starts at the Quay, near the sunken concrete ship the SS Crete Boom, then floats on through to Belleek, a beautiful native Irish forest park. Immerse yourself in the moment and become one with the natural surroundings as you glide at a comfortable pace and let the tide take you for a ride… heavenly!
With fully trained instructors and safety equipment provided, this cool experience will be a hit with all the family. In fact, kayaking is one of the rare activities deemed teenager-friendly.
Check out the tours here: Paddle and Pedal – kayaking and Cycling adventures in North Mayo along the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland
5. Explore the Remote Inishkea Islands
The abandoned islands of Inishkea are a hauntingly beautiful sight. After a 30-minute boat ride from Blacksod Pier in North County Mayo, you’ll land on the sandy South Island of Inishkea and begin your adventure.
A thriving community once called these little islands home, isolated from the mainland for many generations. Explore the ruins of the little village, walk within the walls of these deserted dwellings, and learn about how these sturdy islanders eked out a living on the unforgiving land.
Be warned – this is Ireland at its very wildest; there are no facilities on the islands, so come prepared with water, snacks, and weatherproof layers.
The best part of this day trip? Nature – from the curious dolphins you might encounter surfing alongside the boat to the clouds of gull, guillemot, and squawking sea birds, and there’s always a chance to witness a behemoth of the blue – a whale!
Inishkea is also home to a large seal colony, with up to 300 pups born here annually.
Blacksod Sea Safari is an award-winning local company that operates tours to the islands daily in season. On the return journey, you’ll be treated to epic views of the impressive Cliffs of Croaghaun – three times higher than the Cliffs of Moher!
Book here: Boat tours in Ireland | Blacksod Sea Safari
So, if you are searching for a fun, family-friendly outdoor activity to enjoy on your trip to County Mayo in 2025, try one of these cool ideas. Sustainable, low-impact, and really, really wild, a thrilling activity or a slow stroll outdoors might be the highlight of your trip, whatever the season.
And as they say, if you don’t like the weather in Ireland, just wait five minutes!
Let us know in the comments below if these 5 unmissable County Mayo activities might be on your itinerary this year.
This looks cool! My wife always wanted to go to Ireland so now its moved up the list! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Jarrod.
Well done. Mayo is a beautiful county. Bellmullet and Blacksod are beautiful for peace and quiet.
Thank you…they definitely are!
County Mayo has so much to offer, and these activities showcase its best experiences. A great mix of culture, nature, and adventure. Perfect for travelers looking to explore Ireland’s beauty without breaking the budget.