Maam Cross is a small settlement at a junction on the main road from Galway to Clifden in Connemara. Its distinctive railway history, a market that has existed for centuries and different roads through the landscape all converge here. When choosing where to stay, this overview of specific features can help: railway relics and market activity shape the town, while the roads to the north and south lead in different directions.
Railway history in detail
The station grounds include an upper and a lower platform, a water tower without a tank, a loading ramp, cattle pens and a goods shed. The station closed in 1935, along with the rest of the Galway–Clifden railway line. The combination of platforms and facilities for freight and livestock shows the different functions of the former station. On days when it was open, visitors with a train ticket could access the reconstructed signal box. If you plan to visit, check in advance whether these access conditions are still in effect.
Market and fair
Maam Cross has been a market place for centuries, and livestock is still traded there weekly at an auction. If you want to experience the trading, check the specific dates and whether visitors are allowed in advance. The Maam Cross Fair is held annually on a Tuesday after the October Bank Holiday; check the exact date before you travel. Cattle, sheep, agricultural produce and Connemara ponies are all part of the Maam Cross Big Fair.
Routes in two directions
The roads also make it easy to find your way around. The road north from Maam Cross passes through Maam Valley, which is surrounded by the Maumturk Mountains. The road south leads into the Gaeltacht and to the villages of Screebe and Costelloe. The two directions therefore offer different landscapes and places: a valley and mountains to the north, and the Gaeltacht and the villages mentioned above to the south.
Things to do nearby
The Derroura Mountain Bike Trail Network is over 16 kilometres long and runs between Maam Cross and Oughterard. As permitted uses can change, check before your trip whether cycling is currently allowed there. Lackavrea has a four-kilometre boardwalk through a bog alongside the Folore River. These offer two different options: a network of cycling trails between two places and a bog walk with its own length and surface. Before visiting Lackavrea, also check the latest trail information, as details may change.
Hotel and accommodation
The Peacockes Hotel in Maam Cross has 25 well-equipped rooms with en-suite bathrooms. It serves specially selected and prepared Irish dishes throughout the day. As the number of rooms and the food offering may change, check availability and the menu for your travel dates. The hotel grounds also feature a replica of the cottage from the film “The Quiet Man”.
Discover more destinations: Kylemore, Carraroe, Inisheer, Moyard, Portumna, Inishmore, Tully Cross, Castlegar
For the main travel overview: Galway.
