Belmullet Small-Group Walking Tour: 2 Hours, 5,000 Steps
A small town holds far more stories than two hours can tell.
A two-hour guided walking tour of Belmullet, North Mayo, covers the town's founding in 1824, the 1845 canal that links two bays, 17th-century prophecies, famine history, and the legend of the Children of Lir. The guide is live and speaks English; children are welcome from age 6. All fees and taxes are included.
2h
Step-by-step itinerary
Belmullet small-group walking tour
- Start walk at Carter Square
- Hear stories of famous visitors
- Walk to docks and Belmullet Canal
- Cross canal via new bridge
- Visit old town wells at sea shore
- Stop at Community Hospital workhouse site
- Observe plaques of Brian Rua's prophecies
- Arrive at Blacksod Bay and hear legend
- Visit RNLI lifeboat station and hear stories
- See 'Temple of the Tides of Time' art
- Cross canal via stainless steel footbridge
- Return to Belmullet city centre to finish
The Experience
The walk starts in Carter Square, where the guide tells the story of William Carter founding the town in 1824, then moves through the docks and along the Belmullet Canal built in 1845. That canal links Blacksod and Broadhaven Bays—and the water always flows one direction. The route crosses via the "new" bridge to the old town wells that served the community until the 1880s, then passes the Community Hospital, which was built as a workhouse in the 1850s during the Great Famine.
Walking the Tallaght Road, you'll see plaques marking the Prophecies of Brian Rua, a 17th-century figure whose predictions are still debated locally. The tour reaches Blacksod Bay to hear the legend of the Children of Lir, who spent their last 300 years as swans on an island just offshore. At the RNLI inshore lifeboat station, the guide recounts how Spanish Armada ships sheltered in the bay during storms in September 1588, and a rendition of "The Four Farrelys" by Percy French is performed. A visit to "The Temple of the Tides of Time," a public art installation by Travis Price, rounds out the stops before you cross back via a stainless steel footbridge to complete the circuit.
By the end, you'll have walked roughly 5,000 steps. The route is suitable for all fitness levels, and infants or small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Service animals are welcome.
What’s included
Live English-speaking guide; all fees and taxes.
Operated by Neal Doherty - AlchemyTours.ie
Is this one for you?The walk covers two hours and 5,000 steps at a pace suitable for all fitness levels, so the distance is steady but not demanding—bring comfortable shoes and expect to be on your feet the whole time without long stops to rest.
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Top questions
What is the Belmullet Canal and why does the water flow only one direction?
The Belmullet Canal was built in 1845 to link Blacksod and Broadhaven Bays. The guide explains the reason the water flows from Blacksod to Broadhaven during the tour.
What happened at the Community Hospital building during the Great Famine?
The Community Hospital was built as a workhouse in the 1850s. The workhouse carries strong associations with the famine era and its hardships, and the guide discusses that history at the stop.
Who were the Children of Lir and what is Inis Glóra?
According to legend, the Children of Lir spent their last 300 years as swans on Inis Glóra, an island just off the coast of the Mullet Peninsula. The guide recounts this story when the tour reaches Blacksod Bay.
Why did Spanish Armada ships come to Blacksod Bay in 1588?
Ships from the retreating Spanish Armada sheltered in Blacksod Bay in September 1588 to escape stormy seas. The RNLI lifeboat station is the stop where the guide shares these stories and performs a song about the event.
How long is the walking tour and what should I wear?
The tour takes two hours and covers approximately 5,000 steps around Belmullet. It is suitable for all fitness levels, though comfortable walking shoes are advisable for the distance and terrain.
Can I bring children or a pram on this tour?
Children are welcome from age 6. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and service animals are allowed on the walk.
Belmullet Small-Group Walking Tour: 2 Hours, 5,000 Steps
2h · EN
from € 20 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.9645 reviews
