Ballina: River Moy, woodland paths and Irish history

In Ballina, the River Moy, woodland paths through an old estate and insights into Irish history come together. The Wild Atlantic Way passes through the town centre and crosses the River Moy there. If you are looking for a holiday rental in Ballina, you can take different interests into account when considering the location: the river and salmon fishing, nature and historic sites, or museums and events.

The River Moy and paths through Belleek Woods

The River Moy features in several of the experiences described in Ballina. It is internationally renowned for exceptional salmon fishing; the fishery on the river produces several thousand salmon each year. The Ridge Pool, a well-known spot for salmon anglers, is in the heart of Ballina. These attractions make the river interesting to visitors who enjoy fishing or want to learn about the town’s relationship with the Moy.

If you would rather explore a woodland path than enjoy an experience by the water, Belleek Woods offer something different. The woods lie on the western side of the River Moy in Ballina town. A path leads through the old Belleek estate and passes historic sites, including a hermitage and an icehouse. The route therefore brings together woodland and history, without reducing the individual sites to the same period or function. When choosing your accommodation, you can consider whether you want to focus your trip more on these woodland and historical experiences or on other aspects of Ballina.

Irish history and an accessible garden

Visits to the Clarke Museum of Irish History are self-guided and include the fully accessible Heritage Garden. The museum’s Walled Heritage Garden is a public space in the heart of Ballina, open to everyone and inviting visitors to linger, explore and enjoy. The garden is fully accessible. Alongside the history, it gives visitors to the museum a place to spend time outdoors.

The Jackie Clarke Collection spans 400 years and includes more than 100,000 items. These include rare and significant books, manuscripts and photographs, as well as materials relating to important Irish figures. The collection therefore offers different ways to engage with history: through documents and images, as well as through the people associated with the materials. You can explore the exhibits at your own pace on a self-guided visit.

The Jackie Clarke Collection also includes a Heritage Garden with a wide selection of plants, herbs and flowers from County Mayo. Those interested in regional plants will find a different perspective on the area here than in the collection’s objects. The garden and collection appeal to different interests, adding a botanical dimension to the cultural offerings.

Festival, whiskey and getting there

The annual Ballina Salmon Festival lasts nine days and celebrates Ballina and County Mayo. The programme includes family entertainment, music, arts, culture and heritage, sport and the River Moy. The festival brings together several themes that are also part of the town’s character in their own right. For your travel planning, it is important to note that this is an annual festival; specific event dates are not given here.

Another way to learn about local production is through Ballina Whiskey: on a behind-the-scenes tour, you can find out how the whiskey is made. This experience is for visitors who are interested in the production process as well as nature and history. Bus and train services connect Ballina and are another factor to consider when planning your journey and choosing a holiday rental.

Ballina offers different highlights for different days of your trip: the River Moy and the Ridge Pool, the woodland path through Belleek Woods, the collections and gardens, or the festival and whiskey tour. Which holiday rental in Ballina is right for your trip depends on which of these aspects you want to focus on.

Discover more places

If you would like to compare more destinations, also explore Kilsallagh, Killala, Belmullet, Cross, Doohooma, Glencorrib, Neale and Doogort.

For the broader travel guide, see: County Mayo.