Clew Bay, County Mayo’s crown jewel along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, unfolds like an ancient map scattered with 365 islands - each one a whispered secret from the sea. Overlooked by Croagh Patrick’s sacred peak, this dramatic landscape of limestone drumlins and rugged shores carries echoes of history: Grace O’Malley, the legendary “Pirate Queen,” once sailed these waters, her castles still守卫着 the bay’s edges. Even John Lennon found inspiration here on Dorinish Island, a remote hideaway now shrouded in quiet mystery. The Nephin Range rises like a guardian to the north, while Clare Island guards the entrance, its cliffs echoing tales of Viking raids and Bronze Age forts.
Adventure and history collide along Clew Bay’s shores. Hike Croagh Patrick’s pilgrimage path for panoramic views, where 15,000 pilgrims converge on Reek Sunday each July. Cycle the Clew Bay Bike Trail, island-hopping via ferry to Achill Island or pedaling beside seal colonies on Bertra Strand. Cruise past Inishgort Lighthouse or explore Clare Island’s wild trails, where every drumlin-shaped isle tells a story of glacial ice and human resilience. This is a place where the Atlantic crashes against ancient stone, and every sunset paints the sky with the colors of a thousand legends - waiting to be discovered by those who venture beyond the mainland’s edge.
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Things to See and Do
Croagh Patrick
A sacred pilgrimage mountain (2,507 ft) offering panoramic views of Clew Bay. Ascend on Reek Sunday in July for the annual pilgrimage. Trails include routes for pilgrims and hikers.
Clare Island
The largest island in Clew Bay, featuring rugged landscapes, historical sites like Clare Island Castle (linked to Grace O'Malley), and hiking trails with coastal views. Accessible by ferry from Roonagh Pier.
Clew Bay Bike Trail
A unique route combining cycling and ferries, linking Westport to Clare Island and Achill Island. Explores coastal scenery and historical landmarks.
Westport House
An 18th-century Palladian mansion with extensive gardens and lake views. Features themed attractions like the Mausoleum and a Ferris wheel overlooking Clew Bay.
Great Western Greenway
A 44km traffic-free cycling path stretching from Westport to Achill Island, passing through rural Mayo landscapes with coastal vistas.
Rockfleet Castle & Grace O'Malley Heritage
15th-century castle near Louisburgh linked to pirate queen Grainne O’Malley. Offers insights into her legendary exploits and maritime history.
Seal Cruise with Westport Cruises
A 90-minute boat tour exploring Clew Bay’s islands, including a seal colony near Carraigeen-na-Francach. Highlights include Inishgort Lighthouse and dramatic coastal formations.
Clew Bay Charters
Offers guided angling trips (e.g., sea bass, mackerel) and sightseeing tours of the bay’s 365 drumlin islands. 2-hour sightseeing cruises available.
Mulranny Beaches
A coastal resort with Blue Flag beaches like Bertra Strand, renowned for windsurfing and birdwatching. Features rugged cliffs and scenic trails overlooking Clew Bay.
Murrisk Abbey & National Famine Memorial
Historic abbey near Croagh Patrick with a striking famine memorial (designed by John Behan) depicting a coffin ship. Offers cultural and historical context.
Dorinish Island
A quiet island once owned by John Lennon, featuring unspoiled nature trails and coastal views. Accessible only by private boat or special tours.
Clew Bay Heritage Centre
Housed in a restored 18th-century building, showcasing exhibits on local history (including Grace O’Malley) and artifacts from the Great Famine era.
Achill Island
The largest island off Mayo’s coast, offering dramatic cliffs (Slievemore), deserted villages, and the Atlantic Drive. Reachable via bike trail ferries or car routes.
Bertra Strand
A 2km sandbar beach near Westport, popular for windsurfing and angling. Offers pristine views of Croagh Patrick and the bay’s drumlin islands.
Clew Bay Islands Overview (365 Drumlins)
An archipelago of glacial drumlins forming iconic landscapes. Highlights include Inishbiggle and Clare Island, accessible via boat tours or kayaking trips.
Getting There
Air
- Shannon Airport is a 2 hour drive.
- From Dublin Airport, expect a 3hr.15 min. drive.
The nearest airport to Clew Bay is Ireland West Airport Knock, a 45 minute drive from Westport.
Car
- A new bypass road at Castlebar has cut this journey by 15 minutes.
- From Galway, it’s a 1 hr. 20 min. drive
- Drive along the N59 road which runs along the bay
- Take small roads leading to the villages of Clew Bay
If travelling from Dublin city to Westport (the main base in the Clew Bay area) expect a drive of 3 hr. 15 min.
Public Transport
- By bus from Dublin, expect a journey time of anything between 4.5 to 6 hours
- From Galway, the bus trip takes between 1 hr. 45 and 2 hr. 30 mins.
- The nearest train station is Claremorris Train Station, approximately 10 minutes from Knock House Hotel.
- Bus stops are available in Knock, with pick-up or drop-off services offered by some hotels on request.
By train from Dublin, the journey takes 3 hr. 11 min.
Sea
- Take a shuttle to the bay's major islands and back
- The ferry to Clare Island departs from Roonagh pier, west of Louisburgh.
- If you don’t have a car, the ferry company O’Malley’s run a shuttle bus from Westport to meet the ferry.'
Rent a boat (requires a license)
Events & Festivals 2025
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History
Clew Bay's storied past begins with its ancient name, Cuan Mod, or "harbour of Mod", associated with the Fir Bolg and later the Tuatha Dé Danann. The bay was also known as Cuan Umhaill, "harbour of Umhaill", reflecting its connection to the Uí Máille, or O'Malley clan. This Gaelic territory, ruled by the O'Malleys, was home to a fleet of ships and several castles, including Carrickkildavnet Castle and Granuaile's Castle.
In the Middle Ages, Clew Bay was a key possession of the O'Malley family, with Grace O'Malley, the Pirate Queen, commanding a fleet of ships from her stronghold at Rockfleet Castle. Her flag, bearing the motto "Terra Marique Potens", or "Valiant by sea and land", struck fear into the hearts of her enemies. The islands of Clew Bay played a crucial role in Grace O'Malley's sea kingdom, serving as perfect traps for passing vessels or hiding places to intercept enemy ships.
The 16th century saw significant events unfold on the islands of Clew Bay. Inisheany, or "the meeting place", was a gathering point for trade between ships and graziers from the area. According to the Annals of the Four Masters, in 1239, a galley fleet captained by O'Dowdy of Connaught assembled here, comprising 56 ships - the greatest ever seen in the West. A violent episode occurred on this island when Normans landed, killing many men of the O'Connor clan.
The bay's islands also bear witness to tragic events, such as the wreck of a Breton fishing vessel on Carraigeen-na-Francach, or "the rock of the Frenchman", resulting in the loss of all lives on board. Today, this island is home to a large number of seals. Other notable islands include Dorinish, purchased by John Lennon in 1967, and the numerous drumlins that give rise to the myth of 365 islands - one for every day of the year.
In more recent times, Clew Bay has seen its share of historical events, including the landing of 400 Free State troops during the Irish Civil War in July 1922. The bay continues to yield secrets from its past, with the discovery of a submerged late Bronze Age fort announced in 2024. Visitors can explore the rich history of Clew Bay by visiting sites such as Kildavnet Tower on Achill Island and the Spanish Armada Viewpoint along the Atlantic Drive.