Overview
Belmullet sits on a neck of land so narrow that a canal cuts clean across it, linking Blacksod Bay on one side to Broadhaven Bay on the other, in north-west County Mayo. Carter’s Canal, dug in the 1820s, still splits the town, and it takes about five minutes to walk from one salt-water bay to the other. This is the main town of Erris, a Gaeltacht district, and the town itself (Béal an Mhuirthead) is where you stock up, sleep and eat before heading out onto the Mullet Peninsula proper. Shops and cafés around the centre make it a handy base.
If you have one afternoon, spend it on the peninsula, at Erris Head or the beaches at Elly Bay, rather than in the town, which is a working service town on the Wild Atlantic Way rather than a sight in its own right.
History
The origins of Belmullet’s name are debated. It likely derives from Béal Muileat or Béal an Mhuileat (“mouth of the isthmus”), though some suggest a later phonetic shift to Béal an Mhuirthead. The settlement began in the early 18th century when Sir Arthur Shaen commissioned a small town and a canal (later known as Shaen’s Cut) to give vessels safe passage between the bays. By the 1820s, William Henry Carter inherited Shaen’s lands and hired engineer Patrick Knight to lay out a formal town plan. Knight published his design in his 1836 treatise Erris in the Irish Highlands, describing Belmullet as a “mirage in the desert” positioned between two sheltered bays. A new pier, completed in 1825, allowed 100-ton vessels to dock, and a post office opened in 1820, signalling rapid growth.
During the 19th century, the town expanded with a courthouse (1833), a Roman-Catholic chapel (1832) and a Protestant church (1843). The Great Famine devastated the area, swelling the local workhouse population to 3,000 at its peak. Later, the Land League held monster meetings in Belmullet, and the town played a significant role in the Irish War of Independence and Civil War, with several local RIC officers killed in the early 1920s and Republican courts operating briefly in the town.
The town is often linked to John Millington Synge, said to have drawn on the area for The Playboy of the Western World and the poem “Danny”, though the details of any visit are hazy. Its literary and Irish-language heritage now runs through Áras Inis Gluaire, a bilingual arts centre, library and theatre.
What to See & Do
Town Centre & Heritage
- Carter Square – the historic market square, and the starting point for many walks.
- Belmullet Docks – a stroll along the canal, with seating and interpretive signage.
- Belmullet Tidal Pool – a man-made sea pool on Shore Road, a short walk south of the square. Check local signage for tide times, safe swimming windows and any supervision before you use it.
- Áras Inis Gluaire – the town’s arts centre and theatre, with concerts, trad sessions and visual arts exhibitions.
- War of Independence Memorial on Pearse Street and the Dúlra agus Dúchas mural on the old handball alley, which picks out local biodiversity and heritage.
- SOLAS visitor centre – out at Eachléim (Aughleam) on the peninsula, telling the story of Erris and its offshore islands.
- Glosh Tower – a Napoleonic-era signal tower on the Fallmore coast, one of a chain built to relay warnings along Ireland’s western seaboard.
Erris Head and Blacksod
For a coastal walk, check the route and conditions at Erris Head. Follow waymarks, respect working farmland and keep back from the cliffs. Dogs are not allowed on the Erris Head loop, so leave them at home.
Blacksod Lighthouse is a separate visit at the southern end of the peninsula. Check its tour times and access arrangements before travelling, and book separately.
Beaches & Coastal Walks
- Elly Bay – a sheltered sandy beach south of town, popular with families, surfers and kite-surfers. The whole bay is a Natural Heritage Area supporting rare waders and the Red-necked Phalarope.
- Mullaghroe Beach – a secluded curved beach south of town, used for swimming, bird-watching and watersports.
- Belderra Strand and Cross Strand – quiet sandy stretches near the Carne Golf Links, good for walking and occasional surf sessions.
- Falmore (Fál Mór) Beach – offers panoramic views of Achill Island and features a granite sculpture on the Tír Sáile sculpture trail.
- Barranagh Island Beach – a tidal-cutoff beach on the east side of the peninsula, reached at low tide, so check tide tables first.
- Claggan Island – linked to the mainland by a narrow sand causeway, a tiny island community and a place for seal-spotting and coastal walks. Check tide tables before crossing.
Check local signage at each beach for swimming conditions, any lifeguard cover and dog rules.
Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Points
- Doonamo Point (Dún na mBó) – a dramatic blow-hole surrounded by a sculpture by Travis Price, dedicated to those lost at sea. The structure is part of the Tír Sáile trail and offers raw Atlantic views.
- Annagh Head – a geological site on the Wild Atlantic Way, with bedrock dating back 1.75 billion years and legends of the Children of Lir.
- Benwee Head – striking cliffs, stacks and arches overlooking Broadhaven Bay, a favourite spot for walkers and photographers. Keep well back from the cliff edges.
Activities
- Fishing & Sea-Angling – both fresh-water and deep-sea angling are available from the harbour. Local charter operators run boat trips to the Inishkea Islands, Achill and Inis Glora. If you plan a boat trip, confirm the sailing and what it includes with the operator.
- Watersports – surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing are popular at Elly Bay, Mullaghroe and the western side of the peninsula. The UISCE Adventure Centre provides lessons and equipment.
- Golf – Carne Golf Links, laid out by Eddie Hackett across dramatic dune land, lies just outside town.
- Walking Trails – the Erris Head Loop, the Cross Loops and the Carrowteige Loop Walks (Green, Blue Children of Lir, Red Black Ditch) take in coastal scenery, islands and sites out of local legend.
Festivals & Events
- Féile Iorras – the Erris arts festival, with music, dance, visual arts and community workshops; the town’s pubs get in on it too. Check the festival’s own listings for dates.
- Lá an Logha (Ladies’ Day) – a mid-August tradition, once a farmer’s market and courtship day, now a day of music and local crafts.
- Heritage Day – part of the August festival calendar, drawing back emigrants for history talks, guided walks and traditional music.
Accommodation & Food
- Broadhaven Bay Hotel – a hotel a short walk from the town centre, with a leisure club and on-site dining.
- Talbot Hotel – accommodation in the heart of Belmullet, with a restaurant and bar.
- Kemar House – a B&B a short drive from town, close to the Carne Golf Links.
- Glamping Pods – en-suite pods with Atlantic views, run under the “Further Space at Belmullet” initiative.
- Local eateries – An Builin Blasta (family-run bakery and café), The Cake Queen (coffee and cakes), and Western Strands Hotel & Bar (pub food and live music).
Check each business directly for current opening and booking arrangements.
Practical Information
- Getting Here – Bus Éireann serves Belmullet from Ballina via Crossmolina and Bangor Erris, with onward rail connections at Ballina. Check current timetables with Bus Éireann before you travel. The nearest major airport is Ireland West Airport Knock, roughly 80 km away. Belmullet Aerodrome, west of town, handles general aviation.
- Road Access – the town lies on the R313 and R314 regional roads; the Wild Atlantic Way passes directly through, making it easy to reach by car.
- Visitor Services – ask locally for up-to-date information on attractions, events and accommodation.
- Parking – parking in the town centre can be time-limited, so check the signs before leaving the car for the day. Check beach car parks and facilities locally.
- Accessibility – the town centre is largely flat, but some coastal walks (for example Benwee Head) involve uneven terrain.
- Seasonality – summer sees the most visitors, with festivals and boat trips at their fullest. Autumn can bring good surf at Elly Bay and quieter beaches.
- Safety – tides can be strong at blowholes and tidal points. Keep a safe distance from the edge and follow any signage at Doonamo Point and the tidal pool. Always check tide tables before attempting to cross sandbanks or visit tidal islands.
Nearby Attractions
- Ballycroy National Park – a short drive north, offering rugged mountain scenery, peat bogs and the Nephin Beg Range.
- Bangor Erris – a neighbouring coastal village with its own historic harbour and access to the challenging Bangor Trail.
- Carrowteige – the scenic village at the tip of the peninsula, a gateway to the dramatic cliffs of Benwee Head.
- Achill Island – reachable by boat, famous for its cliffs, beaches and the historic Achill Archaeological Field School.
- Ballina – the larger town to the east and a transport hub for the region.
Travel Tips
- Nearest Airport: Ireland West Airport Knock is roughly 1.5 hours away by car. Shannon and Sligo airports are also options.
- Boats: Boat trips run weather-dependent. Book charters in advance and confirm the sailing and what it includes with the operator.
- Dogs: Dog rules vary by beach and by trail, and dogs are not allowed on the Erris Head loop. Check local signage.
- Tidal Planning: Check tide times before using the tidal pool or any coastal trail that crosses a causeway, and allow extra time for the return.