Murrisk lies at the foot of Croagh Patrick and combines historic sites with trails on the mountain and along the coast. The ruins of Murrisk Abbey, the National Famine Memorial and connections towards Westport offer different focuses for a stay. When planning, it is worth distinguishing between the path to the abbey, the summit route and the multi-day long-distance trail.

Trails around the abbey and mountain

The Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre is located in Murrisk at the foot of the mountain. Its immersive virtual reality experience conveys history, heritage and spirituality, as well as stories about the sacred mountain. Croagh Patrick View offers views over Clew Bay. From Croagh Patrick View, you can set off on a walk around the bay or climb Croagh Patrick; hiking conditions depend on the weather.

The main summit route starts in Murrisk on the Louisburgh Road (R335) and is 7 km long, including the return journey. The signposted 1 km Murrisk Abbey Walk has a different destination: it leads from Murrisk along a country road to the abbey. Check the trail signs locally before setting off.

Abbey, museum and memorial

Murrisk Abbey was founded around 1456 by Hugh O’Malley, a Gaelic chieftain, for the Augustinians and dedicated to Saint Patrick. It is said to have housed some of the saint’s relics and marked the start of the pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick. The ruins retain round-arched windows, including the striking east window, remains of a crenellated parapet on the south wall, and two stone heads carved into the south and east walls. The abbey is a state-owned National Monument and is managed by the Office of Public Works. Check current access arrangements before visiting.

The Murrisk Fishermen’s Museum is located in Murrisk Cafe at the foot of Croagh Patrick; check the current opening arrangements in advance. The National Famine Memorial in Murrisk is a bronze monument in the form of an emigrant ship, created by John Behan in 1997. The skeletons incorporated into it represent the people who lost their lives.

Croagh Patrick is also an important pilgrimage site in the wider destination of County Mayo: the mountain has been a place of pilgrimage since pre-Christian times. The national pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick takes place every year on the last Sunday in July; locally, the day is known as “Reek Sunday”. The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail in County Mayo runs from Balla in East Mayo to Murrisk at the foot of the mountain, then continues along the shores of Clew Bay. The long-distance trail is 59.9 km long and takes three days to complete.

Coastal trails and connections towards Westport

In Murrisk, a designated cycle path runs along the coast towards Westport via the National Coastal Path. A separate walking and cycling path also connects the village with the Greenway in Westport, which is 8 km away. Check the local cycling infrastructure before setting off.

This lets you distinguish a stay focused on Murrisk from a multi-day hike through County Mayo.

Discover more destinations: Hollymount, Westport, Keel, Sheean, Breaffy, Ballinrobe, Achill Sound, Ross Port

Go to the wider travel overview: County Mayo.