Discover Cornaroya: trails, lakes and Ballinrobe’s history

Ballinrobe lies on the banks of the River Robe and in the South Mayo lake district. An easy walking trail, several nearby lakes and historic sites give a visit here a variety of highlights. If you enjoy exploring the outdoors, the Bowers Way runs from Ballinrobe to Lough Mask: the route is 6 km long and first follows the tree-lined Bowers Towpath, then continues along the River Robe. Its length and easy-going nature offer a clear guide for planning your day.

Trails, water and fishing

The Bowers Way connects the starting point at Ballinrobe with Lough Mask. Along the way, the tree-lined towpath and the route beside the River Robe are among the trail’s defining features. You can make this walk the focus of your visit or include the surrounding lakes among your travel interests. Lough Mask, Lough Carra and Lough Corrib are near Ballinrobe and give anglers several waters to choose from. Further afield, there are 60,000 acres of brown trout fishing between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask; fishing is also available on the River Robe. This selection includes nearby waters as well as opportunities further afield, rather than being limited to a single lake.

Horse racing and landscape

Ballinrobe Racecourse is one mile from Ballinrobe on the main road to Castlebar, the N84. Horse racing has been held at its current site since 1921. The racecourse hosts ten race days each year from April to September. If you would like to combine your trip with horse racing, this period gives you a guide to the season. Ballinrobe Golf Club is located on the historic 300-acre Cloonacastle Estate. These offer different points of interest: you can explore the Bowers Way on foot, while the golf club and racecourse provide other local attractions.

Religious heritage and family history

The ruins of Ballinrobe Catholic Chapel are an important part of South County Mayo’s early 19th-century religious heritage. The Augustinian Abbey in Ballinrobe is also part of local history; its restoration was completed in 1994. The Augustinian Canons Friary in Ballinrobe was the first of nine foundations west of the Shannon. These historic connections give culture enthusiasts more to explore, alongside the area’s trails and waters.

Another way to explore the past is through the South Mayo Family Research Centre in Ballinrobe. It offers a comprehensive service for people researching their family history and specialises in individually researched reports. More than one million records have been digitised there. Anyone exploring their family history will find a tangible starting point here; an interest in local historic sites can thus be complemented by the search for personal family connections.

Getting here and nearby places

Ballinrobe is on the N84, which connects Galway and Castlebar. The nearest railway station is in Claremorris, 21 km from Ballinrobe; a bus connection is available from there. More places to explore: Charlestown, Ross Port, Murrisk, Sheean, Claggan, Kilsallagh, Kiltimagh and Castlebar.

For the broader travel overview: County Mayo.