Barry’s Blog
Semana Santa Parades in Granada
During the Semana Santa parades in Granada, a deep sense of religious tradition grips the city. Witnessing these famous Holy Week parades, a massive public spectacle unlike anything we have in Ireland, is a special cultural experience that rounds off our wonderful 8...
When The Man from Piacenza Came to Mayo
Paolo came to Mayo last week with one of my Italian groups and wrote the following wonderful piece on his Instagram account, reproduced here with his kind permission, with its Google translation edited by myself. "I had already been to Ireland, but here we have not...
Derrada Loop Walk near Newport
The Derrada Loop Walk near Newport is an easy stroll along tarred minor roads, stony (often wet) bog tracks and the Greenway, located off the road to Mulranny in west Mayo.Now, just to be clear, I'm talking here about the Lettermaghera Loop, which is just one of the...
Kermes Oak of the Mediterranean Basin
One of the most fascinating trees of southern France is the diminutive Kermes Oak of the Mediterranean basin. Hiking the low, dry limestone hills of Provence last month, it took a while to “get my eye in” to noticing these amazing miniature trees. Indeed, it was the...
From Patten’s Pub to Lavelle’s Pub on Achill
On a glorious July day, I hiked from Patten's pub to Lavelle's pub on Achill, a magnificent 13km off-road ramble taking five and a half hours at a gentle pace. On an island with so much to offer the hiker, this magnificent SE corner is often undeservingly overlooked....
The Former Asahi Plant in Killala
On my frequent ventures up to the wild north Mayo coast, typically for hiking or bird-watching, I regularly pass by the huge shell that is the former Asahi plant in Killala. One day, I decided to drive in and have a gawk around the place and, indeed, it is massive....
72 Hours in Utrecht
At the end of April, we spent 72 hours in Utrecht around Koningdag. A really lovely compact city, we enjoyed its canals, bars and restaurants, all thronged with partying people on what can be compared to Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities.We stayed in an...
Holy Wells of County Mayo
I enjoy seeking out, or simply stumbling upon, some of the so-called holy wells of County Mayo. While their glory days lie in the past, when more people paid attention and visited for their healing powers than do in our sophisticated early 21st Century, nevertheless...
Ceramic Tile Art of Andalucia
Azulejo, from the Arabic word, Al-Zellij ( الزليج; polished stone), is the wonderful painted ceramic tile art of Andalucia and Portugal. Wandering around even the smallest village, you can’t help but be visually attracted to the often fabulously colourful pieces...
Lough Carra, a Marl Lake in County Mayo
During these blustery, showery first weeks of April, I took off for a day by Lough Carra, a marl lake in County Mayo. On the lake’s eastern shore lies its most famous site, the ruined Moore Hall, a former ‘big house’ and home now to an important population of Lesser...
24 Hours in Derry
A nicely compact city, you can achieve a lot in just 24 hours in Derry. The fully intact city walls, most famously associated with the failed attempt to enter the city, first by Jacobite forces under MacDonnell, Earl of Antrim, in 1688 and later by the former Catholic...
5 Great Mayo Lunch Spots
As spring springs ever more into action, here’s hoping you are lacing up the hiking shoes and getting out and about for even some short hikes. If you find yourself in our wonderful coastal county, here are 5 great Mayo lunch spots to look out for. Plus a new kid on...
Crannóg at Srahrevagh
It was surprisingly mild and dry for this time of year, so I decided to go visit the supposed crannóg at Srahrevagh in the Nephin Begs. [An tSraith Riabhach = The grey or streaked river-meadow or valley-bottom, per https://www.logainm.ie/ga/37558] Crannógs are...
Fanore to Ballyvaughan Hike
The Burren in County Clare boasts many magnificent walks, of which one of my favourites is the wonderful Fanore to Ballyvaughan hike. On the R477, about 1km north of the turn down to Fanore beach, there is a widening on the right (heading north), where some houses and...
A Visit to Pompeii
Until you take a visit to Pompeii, you simply ain’t seen nothing. Famous for having been buried under ash and rock from the Mount Vesuvius explosion and subsequent pyroclastic flow in autumn of 79AD, this is a stunning site. While the ruined houses and public...
4 Days in Rome
What a wonderful 4 days in Rome we enjoyed during February. A really compact city centre means you encounter extraordinary ruins from the Ancient Roman era around nearly every corner. We stayed in a lovely little hotel less than 5 minutes walk from the Fori Imperiali...
Memorable Wildlife Encounters in Mayo
I get outdoors frequently, although not as often as I’d like. Along the way, I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy some memorable wildlife encounters. Here are just some from Mayo, in alphabetical order of the beauties I’ve met, rather than any kind of hierarchical chart....
Kingfisher at Killala
The flash of electric blue was unmistakable. I had just seen my first Irish Kingfisher. Although barely 16cm long (similar to House Sparrow; smaller than Blackbird or Thrush), the Kingfisher cannot be confused with any other Irish bird.The Kingfisher image, above, is...
From Castlereagh to Rathfran, a Golden 5K
OK, so "Golden 5k" doesn’t exactly trip off the tongue like the catchy “Golden Mile”. But that’s the distance by road from Castlereagh to Rathfran; from the site of a once ‘big house’ to the ruined former Dominican Friary, near Killala in north County Mayo....
Blanemore Archaeological Trail near Moygownagh
It was purely by accident that I found myself walking the Blanemore Archaeological Trail, near Moygownagh, at the weekend. As you’ll know by now, I’m not very interested in walking Coillte forest tracks, dodging the timber trucks and being surrounded by walls of...
Killeenbrenan Friary near Shrule
Killeenbrenan Friary, a house of the Franciscan Third Order Regulars near Shrule, is also known as Kill Abbey, Kille Abbey, Killeenbrenan Abbey of the Virgin Mary and Morgagagh Abbey. Probably built during the 1420s, not a lot of this friary remains intact at anything...
Walking the Doona Beaches near Ballycroy
Making the most of this bizarrely mild December weather, I decided to go walking the Doona beaches near Ballycroy. Taking a left turn off the N59 just south of Ballycroy, I headed first for the long-ruined Fahy Church, out by the sea, where I parked the car. This...
Bingham of Castlebar, Earls of Lucan
If you ask a person with only a passing interest in the history of landlordism in County Mayo for a single surname, they’re quite likely to give you Bingham, or their adopted title, Lucan. Sir Richard Bingham (above, 1528 – 1599) became Governor of Connacht under...
Santa Margarida Volcano in Catalunya
As we reach the lower slopes of Santa Margarida volcano, we’re some 3 ½ hours and 9 km into our first day of beautiful, easy-going walking in Catalunya. With barely anybody else around and lovely shade-giving trees as constant companions, we’re already wonderfully...
Ballymunnelly Bridge to Ballycastle Loop, a Hike and Bike
Embarking on my Ballymunnelly Bridge to Ballycastle loop, the wind was in my face as I cycled eastwards towards Crossmolina. Not too strong, thankfully, but capable of slowing me nevertheless. The sun was shining beautifully as I approached Bellacorick’s famous...
Annagh Marsh to Cross Abbey Walk
As I watched 34 Lapwings in the air at once, thoughts turned to moving on and beginning my (mostly) beach walk from Annagh Marsh to Cross Abbey, along the western shore of The Mullet peninsula. I had spent over an hour enjoying these beautiful birds, along with Mute...
Welcome to my New Website
“Whatever you do, don’t launch a new website if you’ve nothing to offer”, I heard them screaming from the wings. Hmm. Welcome to my new website and business name, Barry’s Guided Tours. As you browse my tours, one thing will quickly jump out at you : Several of them...
Look Out Posts of County Mayo
During the early years of World War II, a series of Look Out Posts (LOPs) was constructed along the coast of neutral Ireland. In total, 83 of these little huts were put in place to watch out over the seas, report back to Army Intelligence HQ and, notably, to recover...
Napoleonic Signal Towers of Mayo
Also known simply as Napoleonic Towers, or Signal Towers, 8 of these structures were built by the British authorities in County Mayo during the first decade of the 19th Century. The late 18th and early 19th Century was a particularly active period in the fraught...
Clonfert Cathedral, a Medieval Masterpiece
Clonfert Cathedral is a difficult place to find, but a visit sure is worth it. Hidden in labyrinthine east County Galway, near the broad majestic Shannon, it was a foggy December morning when I laid eyes on this very special place. St Brendan's Cathedral's 12th...
Guided Walking Tour in Spain
They start with the kids and it’s wonderful. The colour is part and parcel of the tradition, with each group displaying its own version of the basic ensemble –tight trousers, bright top and broad black, stretchable waist support band. A castell is a human...
Killary Famine Walk at Rosroe
Leaving the N59 between Leenane and Kylemore, we turn right onto the minor road L5102, marked Tullycross, to head to the Killary Famine Walk at Rosroe. On the way, we pass Lough Fee and the former house of Sir William Wilde, father of Oscar. Beyond, at Salruck, stands...
Ancient Church at Kilcummin
The little ancient church at Kilcummin, near Killala in North Mayo, is well worth a detour. It was a beautiful crisp day when I visited in January. Kilcummin (not to be confused with Kilcommon, further west towards Belmullet) is a place of some historical importance,...
Day Out by Lough Conn
The beautiful Early Marsh Orchids greeted us by the sparkling lake shore at Errew. We fancied a day out by Lough Conn and had come to discover the ruined medieval Augustinian Priory at the end of the wonderful peninsula that juts more than half way across the lake. On...
Monasteries of the River Moy
Flowing just 103km from source to sea, the modest Moy isn't the longest river found entirely within Connacht. That title belongs to the Suck, which runs for over 130km before entering the Shannon below Ballinasloe. Along with its salmon fishery, however, it is the...
9 Great Beaches of County Mayo
A wild, windy and often wet coastal county, boasting particularly spectacular sea cliff landscapes, Mayo is also home to some of the finest beaches in Ireland. Caressed (more often, pounded) by the North Atlantic, 8 of these 9 great beaches of county Mayo offer...
Day Out in North Mayo
When I plan a day out in North Mayo, my mind usually pictures a great multi-hour hike along its spectacular ocean cliffs. But it’s sometimes fabulous to simply jump in the car and take in more of this little-visited but wonderful part of the country. So, the other...
An Afternoon Walking in the South of France
The simple joys of an afternoon walking in the South of France ... Having exited our gorgeous forest track, a lovely quiet car-free road led us the last 500m into Varaire. As we dawdled by its cute little houses and their wonderful gardens of fig trees and flowers, we...
Coastline of County Mayo
From the Killary fjord in the south to the estuary of the River Moy in the north, the coastline of County Mayo is a magnificent mix of awesome cliffs, dry-stone walled fields, blanket bog, mid-sized mountains and stupendous sandy beaches. Rising to 814m, Mweelrea is...
Urlaur Priory in East Mayo
Dedicated to St. Thomas Aquinas, Urlaur Priory (Urlaur Abbey) was founded as a Dominican house in the early 1430s during the last years of the pontificate of Martin V. This foundation was ‘irregular’, as no permission had been obtained from the Holy See. The new pope,...
Keenagh Loop Walk in the Bogs of West Mayo
If you’re looking for a walk that represents west Mayo well, without the extra effort of climbing a mountain, then Keenagh Loop Walk may fit the bill. Be sure to bring along at least one walking pole to test the ground’s solidity in front of you as you go, as some...
Spanish Armada and Mayo
In May 1588, King Philip II of Spain sent his armada of ships towards the English Channel, under the command of Alonso Pérez de Gúzman, Duke of Medina-Sidonia (a municipality near Cádiz in Andalusia). Of the 130 or 132 that departed the ports of Spain (and today's...
Balla to Ballintubber Walk
From Round Tower to Abbey Our round towers and abbeys are among the most visible still extant reminders of early and medieval Christian Ireland. While the former date from the 9th to 11th centuries, what remain of our medieval abbeys tend to be from the 12th to 15th....
What Now for the Wild Nephin Farce?
Coillte has exited, so what now for the 'Wild Nephin' farce? Farce (n); a broadly humorous play based on … improbable situations; a ludicrous situation or action. [Collins] And so, just 8 years on, Coillte has exited stage left. Back in December 2009, Coillte’s...
Tales from the GR36 Walking Route in the South of France
Tales from the GR36 Walking Route in the South of France ~ Marie d’Arles “Je suis ravie de rencontrer quelqu’un”. Marie d’Arles smiled out from beneath her poncho. Despite her petite frame, she was no lightweight. Marie was undertaking the full 752 km Via Podiensis,...
11 Great West of Ireland Pubs
Great West of Ireland Pubs - A Selection Naturally, my bias ensures that 5 of these 11 great West of Ireland pubs are located in Mayo, but what else would you expect? The Irish pub can be such an alien concept to continental Europeans, especially the southern French I...
Guided Walking Holiday in the South of France
Guided Walking Holiday in the South of France Once her official character was demasked, Michèle was a hoot. In her capacity as receptionist and ticket seller at la Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs, she was as detached as any other French heritage site employee. She had no...
Achill Island Promontory Fort at Dun Bunnafahy
Achill Island Promontory Fort at Bun na Faiche (Dun Bunnafahy) A quick overview of my coastal Discovery Series maps of the County Mayo coastline * reveals 54 marked promontory forts. Doubtless, this is fewer than there are actually are, as I doubt if they've all been...
Croaghmoyle Booster Station Walk
Although not particularly impressive, this Croaghmoyle booster station walk is a pleasant 9km stroll near Castlebar that includes an easy climb on tarmac. I do it a few times each year in spring, just to get some km into the legs before hiking season. The...
Daly’s Hotel Castlebar Must be Saved
Standing on the beautiful Mall, a treasure any town would desire, is the terribly dilapidated Daly's Hotel Castlebar. The Mall is Castlebar's jewel, a lovely small park that was once the cricket ground of the then landlord of the town, Lord Lucan (Bingham). Boasting...
