The first house built in Charlestown still stands on the Town Square. Together with traditional music events and the rural surroundings, it shows how varied a stay here can be.
Music and cultural events
Traditional Irish music sessions are held at Finan’s Bar on Main Street on the first Sunday and third Thursday of every month. Everyone is welcome to listen or join in. If you would like to plan your stay around a session, check the current schedule before you visit.
The Arts Centre hosts art exhibitions, cultural workshops, and film and music events. It is also the venue for the annual John Healy Literary Weekend. Check the current event dates before planning your travel around the weekend. This helps distinguish the regular music sessions from the annual literary weekend as separate cultural events.
Local history and personal connections
The first house built in Charlestown belonged to Mr. Mulligan and still stands on the Town Square. The Genealogy Trail connects people with links to Charlestown to the town and their ancestors. While the house provides a tangible landmark in the townscape, the trail is for people for whom their own family history is also important.
Construction of Charlestown’s town church began in 1856; St James’ Church was completed and consecrated in November 1858. The Catholic Saint James’s Church is considered an important part of County Mayo’s ecclesiastical heritage from the mid-19th century. Together, the construction dates and consecration provide a clear timeline for local church history.
Landscape and outdoor activities
Charlestown is set in the countryside, with rivers, woods, bogs and fields. The Sléibhte Daimh can be seen north of the town. The town’s family and children’s facilities include the Community Park. Charlestown also has a heated outdoor swimming pool; check the current opening hours before visiting. The River Walkway has an entrance and exit at the swimming pool and the GAA sports grounds.
Fishing is available in numerous lakes and rivers around Charlestown. Cycling tours take place on quiet, traffic-free country roads; there are also signposted walking routes through scenic countryside. Each activity has its own focus: lakes and rivers for fishing, quiet country roads for cycling tours, and marked trails for walking.
Hennigan’s Heritage Centre lies northwest of Charlestown. Its exhibitions span prehistory, estates and 19th-century tenants, the period of independence, and the present day. Alongside the Genealogy Trail, which explores personal connections to ancestors, it offers a broader perspective on history.
Location in County Mayo
The N17 and N5 national roads meet in Charlestown. Ireland West Airport Knock is also located in Charlestown, County Mayo.
Discover more destinations: Knock, Killala, Bunnacurry, Glencorrib, Keel, Doohooma, Toormakeady, Cross.
For the main travel overview: County Mayo.
