Finny: Geology Between the Lakes

The Finny and Kilbride area combines a distinctive geological history with lakes and varied terrain. It extends 7 km east to west along the Kilbride Peninsula, between Lough Nafooey and Lough Mask. Flat, boggy and hummocky lakeshores sit alongside mountain peaks reaching up to 370 m. Here, the perspectives of lakeshore, elevation and rock come together—making this a clear focal point for anyone wishing to discover landscapes and geological history side by side.

Rocks and Fossils

The western part of the area has excellent exposures of pillow lavas and andesitic volcanic breccias. Finny and Kilbride also includes an important graptolite fossil site. These two geological features offer different perspectives on Earth’s history: exposures reveal the types of rock, while the fossil site adds a palaeontological perspective. Relatively accessible sections along roads, shores and slopes offer opportunities to observe the Silurian geology and palaeontology of South Mayo.

The Finny Road Section runs along a 1 km stretch of the R300 on the Kilbride Peninsula, between Finny Church and the former Finny School, which is no longer in use. The 1 km refers to this section of road; the geological area as a whole extends 7 km east to west. This distinguishes the specific location of the named section from the wider extent of the landscape.

Lakes, Shores and Walks

The flat, boggy and hummocky lakeshores contrast sharply with the mountain peaks, which reach up to 370 m in the area. Loch Nafooey, a rectangular glacial lake in County Galway, lies near Finny. Its waters are home to wild brown trout and pike. The lake, its shoreline and the surrounding ridges provide several distinct points of reference in the landscape.

There are several walks around Lough Nafooey, suitable for experienced hillwalkers as well as other walkers. This offers a different way to explore the area from observing the geology along roads, shores and slopes. When planning your trip, you can therefore decide first whether to focus on walks around the lake or on rocks and fossils.

Event and Choosing Where to Stay

The Joyce Country Challenge is an annual event that starts at Finny Community Centre in County Mayo. If you want to plan your stay around this event, check the event date before making your travel plans.

When looking for a holiday rental, use the experiences you want to focus on to guide your choice of location: the geological exposures and fossils in the Finny and Kilbride area, the lakeside scenery, or walks around Lough Nafooey. This lets you compare specific interests rather than basing your choice only on a general impression of the region.

More Things to Discover in County Mayo

In the wider destination of County Mayo, the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park offers a cultural focus. Through objects, rare archival photographs and films, it presents Ireland’s rural past. Workshops, talks and guided tours are offered there year-round. The gardens are home to a diverse range of birds, flora and fauna, and are designated a Green Heritage site.

Croagh Patrick is also in County Mayo and has been a pilgrimage destination since pre-Christian times. The mountain is 764 m high. The main summit route starts in Murrisk on the Louisburgh Road (R335) and covers 7 km there and back. By contrast, the 59.9 km Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail takes three days and combines ancient monastic heritage with County Mayo’s mountain scenery and views of Clew Bay. A summit route and a multi-day long-distance trail therefore differ considerably in length and character.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Claggan, Doohooma, Cong, Cross, Kilsallagh, Gweesalia, Achill Sound, Neale

Back to the wider travel guide: County Mayo.