The best traffic-free bike rides around Lough Conn

Bridge without historical or architectural value. But it does offer a viewpoint over the river and specifically the Muredach Cathedral.

Ballina, the atmospheric 'Salmon Capital of Ireland', is beautifully situated at the mouth of the River Moy in County Mayo. The city breathes history with its Georgian architecture, the imposing 19th-century St. Muredach’s Cathedral, and the world-famous Jackie Clarke Collection. Nature lovers can indulge themselves in Belleek Woods, one of Europe's largest urban forests, where, alongside idyllic walking paths, you'll also find the mysterious concrete shipwreck of the SS Creteboom. As a gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way, Ballina is the ideal base for a visit to the spectacular sea stack of Downpatrick Head or the prehistoric Céide Fields.

Large, quiet forest along the Moy with wide, sheltered paths and beautiful light between pines and old oaks. You ride through it smoothly without traffic. Along the way, you pass quiet landmarks like Belleek Castle and the old ice house. Perfect as a green corridor around Ballina.

The cycle path through Belleek Woods takes you through a lush, historic forest along the banks of the River Moy. As you cycle beneath the dense tree canopy, you'll pass unique sights such as the Crete Boom (a concrete ship), an old ice house, and a mysterious 19th-century famine wall. This paved forest path is part of the Monasteries of the Moy Greenway and offers a safe, natural passage towards the historic abbeys further on. Keep an eye out for the rare red squirrels that thrive here.

Moyne Abbey is a beautiful example of a late medieval Franciscan friary, founded in 1460. The ruin has remained astonishingly intact, featuring a slender central tower, atmospheric cloisters, and Gothic windows overlooking the sea. In 1590, the friary was plundered and burned by the English governor of Connacht, but the stone walls endured. Today, the site offers a serene tranquility and a unique glimpse into 15th-century monastic life, surrounded by green fields and the gentle waters of the estuary.

The Killala Round Tower is an impressive 12th-century landmark that towers over the village at 25.5 meters high. This limestone tower originally served as a bell tower and place of refuge for the nearby monastic settlement. A notable detail is the doorway, located more than 3 meters high as a defense against raiders. Despite a severe lightning strike in the 19th century, the tower stands in full glory again after a thorough restoration, right next to St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Rough cliff top on the north coast of Mayo, known for the vertical Dún Briste sea stack and the open, windy plateau above the Atlantic surf. You are literally standing on a straight cliff edge with wide views towards Ballycastle and the North Mayo coastline. The terrain is flat, open and exposed, ideal as a short stop on a coastal leg. Height: ±70 m.

Lackan Strand (often written as Lacken), one of North Mayo's most impressive hidden sandy beaches. It is a vast area of golden dunes and a sheltered bay, surrounded by the rugged hills of Killala.