Page 210 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

208 BACK ROADS IRELAND

r Ballina ª Return to the R294 and continue,
Co Mayo signposted Boyle. Carry on into
The largest town in the county, Tobercurry. From here, turn left back
Ballina is a charming market town, onto R294. Just as the R296 is reached
set on the River Moy. It is famous for there is a left turn for Portinch.
its hospitality with plenty of shops
and cafés, and good fishing along y Irish Raptor Centre
the river. Among Ballina’s attractions Portinch, Ballymote
are the ruins of Moyne Abbey and Watch eagles, hawks and falcons
Rosserk Friary dating back to the swooping overhead at the centre
15th century, and the impressive (071 91 89310; www.eaglesflying.com;
St Muredach’s Cathedral (completed open Apr–Oct: daily; closed lunchtime),
in 1831). Every July the town hosts a which has two daily flying
popular street festival with many demonstrations and interactive
events and live music. shows about the lives and habits of
ª Take the R294 east towards the various birds of prey. Visitors are
Above View from Carrowkeel Megalithic Gleneask and turn right into the car allowed to touch some of the birds.
Tombs over Lough Arrow park at Lough Talt. There is also a petting zoo with
goats, sheep, rabbits, guinea-pigs
WHERE TO STAY t Lough Talt and donkeys.
Co Sligo ª Return to the R294 and continue
BALLINA This magical place is a favourite spot on it, following the signs to Boyle. At
The Ice House Hotel moderate with trout fishermen. There is an easy Tobercurry, turn left onto the N17
This stunning boutique hotel walk around the shore (6 km/4 miles) for Sligo, then, after 14 km (9 miles),
overlooks the River Moy and blends and it is also the start for the much turn right following the signs for
country style and contemporary chic. longer Sligo Way walk. Lough Talt has “Eagles Flying”.
The Quay; 096 23 500;
www.icehousehotel.ie two crannógs – small man-made
islands inhabited in the Iron Age. u Carrowkeel Megalithic
AROUND CARROWKEEL Continue along the road through Cemetery
MEGALITHIC CEMETERY the rolling countryside of the Ox Co Sligo
Gyreum Ecolodge inexpensive Mountains to reach Lough Easkey. Overlooking Lough Arrow in the
Set in great surroundings near Lough With its wide open skies and a spare scenic Bricklieve Mountains, the
Arrow and the Bricklieve Mountains,
Gyreum has small rooms, large dorms beauty, it is popular with anglers remote cemetery at Carrowkeel
and “tent” capsules in the central hall. and walkers. A few kilometres (miles) (open daily) dates back to around
Corlisheen, Riverstown (from beyond Lough Easkey, at Mass Hill, is 3800 BC. The site comprises 14
Carrowkeel take N4 to Castlebaldwin the Shaking Rock, a massive boulder hill-top passage tombs with an
and turn right, following signs over which can be rocked by hand, but additional six to the west. Excavated
Bow & Arrow crossroads and through
Killadoon crossroads. Take first turn amazingly, has never fallen. in 1911, the tombs, which differ in
after Killadoon on left (on steep hill)
and continue for 1 km (half a mile). Below The 19th-century St Muredach’s cathedral, on the banks of the River Moy in the attractive
Entrance to Gyreum is on the right); market town of Ballina, seen from one of the town’s bridges
087 328 0789 ; www.gyreum.com
Cromleach Lodge
moderate–expensive
This smart, family-run country house
hotel has great views over Lough
Arrow and the Bricklieve Mountains.
Castlebaldwin, Lough Arrow (6 km/
4 miles off the N4); 071 916 5155;
www.cromleach.com
Coopershill House expensive
This beautiful Georgian mansion has
been the home of the O’Hara family
for seven generations and offers
visitors a warm welcome, with open
fires, candlelit dinners, acres of lovely
grounds and four-poster beds.
Clearly signed 2 km (1 mile)
from Riverstown (from Carrowkeel
take N4 to Drumfin and take right turn
to Riverstown); 071 916 5108;
www.coopershill.com;
closed 1 Nov–31 March
Where to Stay: inexpensive under €100; moderate €100–€200; expensive over €200

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