Things to do
Local Attractions
The Museum Of Country Life, Turlough
Explore four floors of award-winning exhibition galleries, a historic country house and formal gardens at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar.
Set in the spectacular grounds of Turlough Park House, this museum is located just five minutes’ drive from Castlebar and is the only branch of National Museum of Ireland outside Dublin.
The museum is home to Ireland’s National Folklife Collection and charts the day-to-day lives of our rural ancestors from the 1850s to the 1950s. Exhibitions explore topics such as traditional crafts and skills, life in the home, farming and fishing, life in the community and festivals and customs.
Visitors can see how ordinary people lived during an extraordinary century of change, rebellion, revolution and revival.
Interactive audio and visual displays, objects, rare archive photography and film footage combine to make the past present.
Turlough Park House and Gardens
Next to the modern exhibition galleries is Turlough Park House, a neo Victorian Gothic mansion and the ancestral home of the Fitzgerald family. The house offers a fascinating insight into how the gentry lived in 19th century Ireland. Built in 1865, it was designed by the celebrated architect Thomas Newenham Deane and is a fine example of the High Victorian Gothic style. There are three formal rooms open to the public.
Beautifully situated, Turlough Park House overlooks 30 acres of formal gardens, parkland and an ornamental lake. In the grounds, visitors can also explore a restored Victorian style glass house, riverside walks, outdoor art, woodland and a Greenway cycling route.
Shop and café
The museum site includes an Irish craft and gift shop and a café, situated in a charming courtyard setting, serving snacks, lunches, speciality teas, coffees, homemade desserts and children’s specials.
Visitor information
Admission to the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, Turlough Park House & Gardens, is free. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and Sundays 2 to 5pm. Closed Mondays.
Exploring Mayo - Castlebar, Achill, Westport and Ireland's West Coast
Area/ Local Mayo Attractions
Stretching from Lough Corrib in the south to Killala Bay in the north, Mayo boasts some of Ireland's foremost attractions including stunning scenery, superb fishing, excellently preserved historical monuments and buildings, great golf courses & of course some of Ireland's finest beaches.
Great Western Greenway
The World Class Great Western Greenway (Westport - Achill) is a 43.5km mainly traffic free cycling and walking facility which primarily follows the line of the famous Great Western Midlands Railway, which closed in 1937. Visit Website
Westport House
Westport House & Country Park is one of those rare attractions that appeals to everyone with its extraordinary mixture of history, culture and fun for all the family. It is situated in a magnificent parkland setting, with a lake, terraces and spectacular gardens overlooking Clew Bay. It is a major attraction for day visitors interested in Ireland's history, architecture and works of art, and is one of Ireland's most popular days out for the entire family. Visit Website
Croagh Patrick
Croagh Patrick is situated just a short drive from Breaffy House Resort & Spa. The mountain soars impressively above the surrounding countryside offering magnificent views of Clew Bay and the surrounding south Mayo countryside. Visit Website
Knock Shrine
Ireland's National Marian Shrine, is located 30 minutes south of the hotel. The Story of Knock began on the 21st August 1879 when Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of Knock Parish Church. The apparition was witnessed by fifteen people, young and old. From this miraculous occurrence Knock has grown to the status of an internationally recognised Marian Shrine. Visit Website
Achill Island
Achill Island's rugged landscape features dramatic cliffs, soaring mountains, remote lakes and secluded beaches - including no fewer than five Blue Flag beaches. This unique landscape is ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities, from surfing, windsurfing and scuba diving to hill walking, fishing, golf and much more. Achill Island is located a pleasant 50 minute drive from Breaffy House Resort & Spa. Visit Website
Foxford Woollen Mills Visitor Centre
Since opening in 1992 the award winning Foxford Woollen Mills Visitor Centre has earned the reputation as a premier visitor attraction in Ireland. This amazing self guiding multi media presentation is hailed as the most interesting tour in Ireland. Foxford Woollen Mills continues to thrive to this day with local craftspeople producing the 'World Famous' blankets, rugs and tweed. Visit Website
Ballintubber Abbey
Ballintubber Abbey was founded by King Cathal Crovdearg O'Conor - Cathal Mór of the wine-red hand. He was of the royal race of the O'Connors, King of Connacht and notable patrons of the arts. Ballintubber Abbey has been the location for many of Ireland's celebrity weddings including, Pierce Brosnan & Keeley Shaye Smith and Shane Filan & Gillian Walsh. Visit Website
Céide Fields Visitor Centre
The neolithic site at Céide Fields in Ballycastle, Co. Mayo contains the oldert known stone walled fields in the world dating back almost 6,000 years. The newly renovated visitor centre allows you to look back on what life was like for those who lived here thousands of years ago. Across the road is a viewing area on the cliffs which allows you to take in the breathtaking views of the Wild Atlantic Way. Visit Website
Horse Riding
Claremorris Equestrian Centre is only a 20 minute drive from Breaffy. The Centre provides high quality instruction either indoor or outdoor depending on the weather. The Centre also provides customised tuition to meet the needs of the beginner and not so beginner and the professional staff can also provide help with problem horses. This is a centre with a family friendly atmosphere with lessons the whole family can enjoy and where you can learn the A to Z about horses. Reservation is essential, call 094 9362292.
Blue Flag Beaches
Mayo has the enviable position of having some of the finest Blue flag beaches in Ireland. Many of these beaches are located a short drive from Breaffy House Resort:
Dooega, Achill Island, Co. Mayo
Dugort, Achill Island, Co. Mayo
Carrowmore, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo
Ross Strand , Killala, Co. Mayo
Elly Bay Belmullet, Co. Mayo
Old Head Louisburgh, Co. Mayo
Keel, Achill Island, Co. Mayo
Mulranny, Co. Mayo
Golden Strand, Achill Island, Co. Mayo
Fishing
Guided Tours of Lough Carra and Lough Mask available from our recommended Guilly, Noel Moran. If you're fishing for trout or pike on Lough Mask or Lough Carra Noel can accommodate your needs. Noel can provide rods for fly fishing, dapping and trolling, life jackets and bait.
Other Local Attractions
National Museum of Country Life
Bellacorick Bog Tour
Hennigan’s Heritage Centre/Farm
Graune Pet Farm and Play Centre - Facilities include farm walk with a wide variety of animals to view and pet, playgrounds, picnic areas, football pitch, bouncy castles, play sand area, pool tables, Restaurant etc.
Golf in Castlebar or Westport
So now you can choose what to do in Mayo......so many possibilities during your Breaffy Break!
