ballinrobe racesBALLINROBE Races are woven into the fabric of community and sporting life in the west of Ireland. It has a unique atmosphere.
They come to enjoy the Races, but there is so much more to it than that. It is a gathering of the people, a chance to trade opinions and banter on a wide variety of topics.

Will Galway beat Mayo? The state of the nation. The latest political crisis. The price of cattle. How is the fishing this year? Affairs of the world. All are discussed and dissected at Ballinrobe.

Ballinrobe is located 30 miles from Galway City, and just six miles from the Mayo/Galway border. Less then 20 minutes drive from Lough Lannagh Holiday Village. The course has a rare rustic feel to it – Loughs Corrib, Carra and Mask are all located within a few miles.

When you take your place in, or to the front of, the Grand Stand, you look out on a charming course. You can see virtually every stride taken by the horses as they jostle for victory. They run close by – but, crucially, not through – a Ring Fort as old as time.
In the mid-distance, the picturesque Partry Mountains look on approvingly. Killarney has the Reeks and Sligo has Ben Bulben. We have Partry. And we wouldn’t change it for the world.

There are few courses quite as scenic and as engaging as Ballinrobe. It is a day out for all the family.

And when the horses come thundering down the finishing straight, and the roars or the groans tell a thousand stories, the ease with which the crowd interacts in Ballinrobe is apparent. Everyone mingles in Ballinrobe. The course has brought racing to the people of Mayo, Galway, Sligo, Roscommon and Clare for many years, and will continue to do so in the future.
Later, they file into the local restaurants and bars to continue the day’s festivities. Still, will Galway beat Mayo, and how is the fishing?

Ballinrobe Races are a rite of passage, part of what we are, and a piece of our heritage. And Ballinrobe Race Committee respects that heritage, and takes seriously its duty to preserve it, and to enhance it, for future generations. Ongoing developments at the track reflect that commitment.
– See more at: www.ballinroberaces.ie

 

 

  • Nathan Carter

    Nanthan  Carter is Country music’s brightest star returns to rock The Royal Theatre, Castlebar, in walking distance of Lough Lannagh Holiday Village. Nathan  is the most successful live act across the venues of Ireland at the moment in time, with 3 number one albums following his 2 number one singles , and 2 number one live DVD’s , elevating him to household name status . TICKETS: €35.20 incl Booking fee, Reserved seating.

     

    Posted in December, Events, Events Mayo, Uncategorized
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  • Love Lannagh Day

    Dates and details to be finalised but it will be:
    Bigger and better than ever/last year Castlebar’s very own adventure festival is packed full of activity, super tunes and finger licking food! Spread the word, come along & bring your mates (p.s. It’s still free!) Among the amazing activities you’ll find.
    Kayaking, Adventure Games, Canoeing, Raft Race, Dragon Boating, Stand up Paddle Boarding, Orienteering, Giant SUP, Biking Trails, Teddy Bear Picnic, Face Painting. Good Times Guaranteed. Love to see you there!

    Posted in Events, Events Mayo, June, Uncategorized
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  • Boating and Stand Up Paddling @ Lough Lannagh Lake with Mayo Adventure Experience

    What: Mayo Adventure Experience brings the adventure of Open Boating and SUP (Stand up Paddling daily to Lough Lannagh lake. Lessons, guided tours, expeditions, games and fun. All sessions include expert instruction, wetsuits and bouyancy aids.
    Contact Jarlaith 0871616363 for rates and times, or visit the website

  • Bike Hire @ Lough Lannagh

    Bike Hire is now available all year at Lough Lannagh. All ages, abilities, groups and individuals welcome. Cycle your way from our “small town, big adventure”along the Great Western Greenway. Try the Greenway Challenge, ideal for groups and families. Contact Fergus on 087 4363310 or email bikesandboardsireland@gmail.com

  • Time to reflect and look into the Dharma of Yoga

    Sighle Mc Donnell returns to Lough Lannagh Village to facilitate an inspiring, healing weekend of Yoga, Meditation & Relaxation. This weekend offers you time to yourself to relax & restore with time to reflect & look into the Dharma of Yoga. With use of a spacious warm bright, quiet room -perfect for Yoga morning & evening. Walking meditation by the lake, creating & gathering objects from nature & coming together in the circle all add to the depth of your practice .The afternoons can be spent exploring the scenic surroundings. Contact Sighle Mc Donnell 085 726827 or email info@sighleyoga.ie
    There is a choice of accommodation from B/B to sharing a cottage which can be booked directly from Lough Lannagh Holiday Village Tel: 094 9027111 or info@loughlannagh.ie                       
    The cost of tuition ; €185   Friday evening 7-9pm   Saturday 10-12:30pm   4- 6pm      Sunday 10- 12:30pm   3-5pm

    Posted in May, Retreats Mayo
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  • St. Patrick’s Day in Castlebar

    Beidh ceol agus craic, damhsa agus spraoi ann. This year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade will take place Sunday, March 15th (this is a provisional date) @ 2pm starts McHale Road around the town to main street. There will be plenty of colour and festival fun and they hope everyone gets out to enjoy themselves and make it a special day.

  • Mayo play at McHale Park Castlebar Mayo

    What: GAA Match at McHale Park, Castlebar, Mayo
    Why: Lough Lannagh is less than 10 minutes walk to match and to town for pubs, bars and restaurants. Secure free parking. Choose from B&B Lodge rooms or  Self catering cottages  Group welcome. Rates for accommodation, and / or food for visiting teams,  clubs and supporters.

  • Ballinrobe Horse Racing

    What:The Ballinrobe Races. Evening events 2020
    Why: Fun, excitement, great value. Entertaining families with it’s rich racing hertiage since 1921. The community; the spirit, the fun, the scenery is splendid, the people are the best, the bookies will entertain. The covered pavilion offers comfort overlooking the Partry Mountains.  “Racecourse of the year 2012.Lough Lannagh Holiday Village is less 20 minutes drive from Ballinrobe Racecourse.

  • Mayo Pink Ribbon Cycle

    What: The Mayo Pink Ribbon Cycle, Supporting Breast Cancer Research.
    Why: Lough Lannagh is the perfect based less that 7 minutes walk from Cycle headquarters in Castlebar. Your bike is safe,with access to an area where you can wash & do last minutes check before the start of the cycle. Choose from B&B Lodge rooms or Self catering cottages. Group welcome. Rates for accommodation, and / or food for visiting teams,  clubs and supporters.

     

    Posted in Activities Mayo, Events Mayo, Family Events Mayo, May
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  • Mayo International Choral Festival

    What: Mayo International Choral Festival  Where: All over Mayo.
    Just 7 minutes walk to competition and gala concert venue. Visiting choirs will experience the warmth & hospitality of local people & choirs, share the spectacular Mayo scenery, lively traditional music, Irish culture, and compete in a great festival. Choose from B&B Lodge rooms or self catering cottages (sleeps 6) min. 2 night stay. Groups welcome and GROUP RATES available for visiting choirs.

    Posted in Events, Events Mayo, May
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  • Gaelforce West

    Gaelforce West.The original and still the best with a 66km course spanning two counties incorporating trail/mountain running or walking, cycling and kayaking, covering terrain from Connemara, Killary Fjord and Croagh Patrick into Westport Taking you along part of the Wild Atlantic Way. #EntertheElements Book now to avoid disappointment. Groups Welcome.

    Posted in Activities Mayo, Events Mayo, June, Uncategorized
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  • The Jackie Clarke Collection

    What: The Jackie Clarke Collection (Museum & Heritage Centre). Where: Ballina, Mayo.
    The most important private collection of Irish history material in public hands, comprises over 100,000 items spanning 400 years. Includes artefacts associated with Theobald Wolfe Tone, letters from Michael Collins, Douglas Hyde, Michael Davitt and O’Donovan Rossa. Rare books, proclamations, posters, political cartoons, pamphlets, handbills, works by Sir John Lavery. Maps, hunger strike material and personal items from Leaders of the1916 Rising.

  • Westport Sea2Summit

    What: Run and Cycle
    Where: Westport,  Mayo
    Celebrating 10 years! The Westport Sea2Summit adventure race is a unique event based in the adventure capital of Ireland, Westport. The race will incorporate all the thrills that Westport has to offer, Croagh Patrick, Clew Bay, the Sheaffry Mountains and the new Greenway. Lough Lannagh only 15 minutes drive. Groups Welcome.

    Posted in Activities Mayo, Events, Events Mayo, Greenway Events, November
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  • Winter Wonderland at Westport House

    What: Winter Wonderland at Westport House for Children / Family
    Where: Westport, Mayo
    Visit Westport House’s Winter Wonderland where you will be met by Santa, Mrs Claus and their Elves! You will experience a blizzard of Christmas spirit as you step into the stunning 18th century Westport House. Lough Lannagh Holiday Village is just 15 minutes away. Great day for the kids and all the family. November 23 @ 10:00 amDecember 23, 2019 @ 6:30 pm


  • New Year’s Day Swim Achill Island 2020

    What:The people of Achill invite you to the Island to wash the cares of 2019 away & jump into the crystal blue sea & embrace 2020. Locals will be on hand with hot soup & there’s live music & craic in the Strand Hotel. Collection on the day will go Achill RNLI Lifeboat.
    Where: Dugort Strand, Achill Island, The Strand, Dugort, Co. Mayo
    Lough Lannagh Self catering cottages are ideal for your New Year Stay. Groups Welcome.

  • The Royal Theatre Castlebar Mayo – for patrons or performers, top quality accommodation at Lough Lannagh, just a few minutes’ walk away…

    Castlebar is home to the Royal Theatre, one of the top entertainment venues in the west of Ireland. From music and comedy to world class acts and household names, if it’s worth seeing, it’s happening in the Royal. Situated just a walk from Lough Lannagh Holiday Village in Castlebar town, we offer ideal accommodation for both visiting groups and artists working or indeed those just in town for the night.
    To give you a flavour of the calibre of acts playing there, and exact dates at royaltheatrecastlebar.ie

    At Lough Lannagh, we’ve been providing accommodation for the Theatre Royal in Castlebar for years. Not just guests, but artists and their crews too. If you’re gigging in the theatre and need accommodation or somewhere to stay, we can help.

    With top quality B&B accommodation, self catering cottages and so much more, Lough Lannagh is the place to stay if you’re planning a night (or two) at the theatre.

    So, come on…make your booking at Lough Lannagh quickly because we’re always busy for the best shows at the Royal Theatre – and there’s plenty of those.
    Book accommodation now
    royaltheatrecastlebar.ie
    Book Online Now

    Royal theatre, current show listing are ideal for guests and production companies and we provide suitable accommodation for patrons, and digs for artists & crew

    Posted in Blog, Events Mayo
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  • Lough Lannagh – Top 5 things for teenagers (even when they’re not bored)

    Bored? You only just got here! When you get to Lough Lannagh, there’s so much to do. Below, we’ve listed just five things to do but there really are lots and lots of options.

    1. Impress me – you say… Then it has to be Mayo Leisure Point. Just outside the town at Moneen, you’ll walk right into a world of entertainment, food, health and something for everyone in the family. You can take in a movie, go bowling or go for a swim in the beautiful indoor pool. And while you’re feasting on arcade games and so such more, there’s the Kachina spa where your mam and dad might get a few minutes away from you!
    2. ‘But I don’t want to be inside’, you say impatiently. Well, that’s no problem either. There’s a great range of other outdoor activities just around the corner. From paintballing and rock-climbing to surfing the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, there’s plenty of fresh air on offer. Just ask us for directions and where the best spots are!
    3. ‘OK, that’s all fine’ you’re thinking, but what will we do at night? First stop is the Royal Theatre Castlebar where there’s music, djs and club nights on all the time.
    4. Castlebar is a busy town but when you stay with us, you’ll have the fun of Lough Lannagh Holiday Village and the hustle of Castlebar. If you’re a slave to shopping, it’s the spot for you. From household names and worldwide brands to artisan shops and local craft, you can really put your dad’s credit card to the test!
    5. Don’t want to sound like a parent but how about just getting out and stretching your legs – Lough Lannagh is right in Castlebar town and sports play a big role in daily life here. Without walking too far from your door, why not releases your inner Roger Federer and head for the tennis court. Basketball is an option too and with plenty of room, we regularly see footballs flying through the air around here. With top class golf courses just a drive away, when it comes to sports at Lough Lannagh, bored is something you’ll never be.

    But remember one thing. It’s our job to keep you informed. And if it’s going on in Mayo, we’ll know about it. Lough Lannagh is suitable for all age groups and even the hardest-to-entertain teenager will finds lots to do around here. Talk to us about what your holiday plans are when you book and we can help you with directions, bookings and so much more. Better still, why not BOOK NOW

    Need more information then Contact Us

    Posted in Blog, Family Events Mayo | Tagged
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  • Your break on a budget – 5 things to do for free in Castlebar, Mayo

    Here in Mayo, on the doorstep of the Atlantic, we are truly blessed with a wonderful location. Choose Castlebar in Mayo for your family break and you won’t have to break the budget. Get wonderful accommodation at great rates at Lough Lannagh and we’ll let you in on the many things to do. We’re conscious of everyone’s budget these days so we’re talking about our favourite five things to do in Castlebar.

    1. For the culture lover, The National Museum of Ireland – Country Life is set in modern exhibition galleries in the spectacular grounds of Turlough Park House. Just ten minutes from Lough Lannagh, it’s surrounded by magnificent gardens and lake. The Museum gives its visitors a unique opportunity to see how the people of Ireland lived in the hundred years between the Great Famine and the end of the 1950s.
    2. Outdoor fitness trail with a lakeside view. The outdoor gym and running route  is packed with modern equipment and challenges all fitness levels.  As a guest of ours, you also have tennis & multi-purpose courts on site for you to play whenever the mood takes you. You can even borrow our racquet & balls!
    3. There are so many walking trails locally but we have our favourites. And our current number one is the beautiful looped walk at Carrowteige. Ask us for directions and find out more about it – you will not be disappointed and it won’t cost you a penny. It has been described by Lonely Planet as ‘one of the finest sustained coastal walks in western Ireland, with a profusion of precipitous cliffs, crags, caves, chasms and islands along the remote North Mayo coast’.
    4. Mayo Peace Park & heritage walk at Lough Lannagh  will really take your breath away. It’s dedicated to honour the memory of all those from Mayo, who served and died in all wars worldwide and conflicts of the past century, with the Allied and Commonwealth Forces, a forgotten generation who were written out of local history until recent times. It remembers those who served or died in all wars worldwide and it especially remembers all those Mayo-born Irish Army soldiers who served and died on UN operations.
    5. And of course, there’s always the old reliable. Window shopping in the bustling town of Castlebar is something that always remains free. What better way to get a feel for a town than a stroll around its shops and streets.

    There you have it. Five things to do in Castlebar and you have yet to put your hand in your pocket. But there’s so much more to do. Just ask us and we’ll go though all your options with you. Because if it’s going on in Castlebar, we’ll know about it – and so will you. Why not get in touch with us or better still book your stay with us at Lough Lannagh BOOK NOW

     

    Posted in Blog, Greenway Events | Tagged
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  • Walking the walk at Lough Lannagh – walking and cycling in Castlebar and Mayo

    Right over here on the Atlantic ocean in Castlebar, we’re truly blessed with magnificent scenery and a really, engaging natural environment. In fact, right throughout mayo, you can take in sights and sounds that you just wouldn’t see anywhere else. And the best way to do that is get out walking or jump up on the bike. Beautiful scenery and a little exercise too – not a bad combination.

    The Great Western Greenway is the longest off-road walking and cycling track in Ireland. It’s 42k long and follows the route of the renowned Westport to Achill railway which closed in 1937. You can start at several points along the way and the trail is designed with spectacular scenery and relaxation in mind.

    There are as many wonderful walks right around our county. Mayo’s unspoilt clean countryside, varying landscapes, unique scenery and rich heritage and folklore mark it as an ideal walking destination.  Whether you are an old hand or a compete novice, it can offer most types of walks including mountain and hill walks, coastal and island walks, and rural and urban walks.  You’ll marvel at the variety of walks on offer which will combine to give you an unrivalled and unforgettable experience.

    And we can’t forget our very own local festival. Join us and many more for the 47th Castlebar Four Day International Walking Festival. In fact we have been the walker base camp and village since we opened.  Since 1967 the event has attracted walkers from every corner of the world. This is an ideal opportunity to walk and talk, to discover and share the bogs, rivers, mountains and unspoilt beauty of the West of Ireland with enthusiastic walkers from everywhere.

    Register for the Castlebar Walking Festival Now!

    Cycling is also a great way to see the beautiful Mayo countryside. The Junior Tour of Ireland came to us over the last couple of years. Check out the Sky team at this years Tour de France, they are past guests at Lough Lannagh, and, past competitors and winners of the Junior Tour. So if you’re competing, training or coming along for the spectacle and support of competitive cycling, stay with us at Lough Lannagh. Cycling is an event that’s close to our hearts.

    Walking and cycling trails abound all over our proud county. And we’re delighted to say we’re in the ideal location to take advantage. If you’re a walker or cyclist, we’ll fill you in as to what’s going on, where the best trails are and more. We can even provide packed lunches from our Greenway Café which will set you for the day.

    Book Now
    Group Enquiry Form
    Contact Us

     

     

    Posted in Activities Mayo, Blog | Tagged ,
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  • Five for free out west – Mayo, Connemara & West of Ireland

    One thing you’ll always be at Lough Lannagh is spoilt for choice. There’s so much to do it can be hard to figure out where to start. We’ve narrowed it down a little for you and below you’ll find five great things to do in the west of Ireland – none of which will cost you a penny. But be warned, each of these will lead to many more brilliant options – just make sure you’ve plenty of time.

    1. National parks – with some of Europe’s most spectacular scenery, Ireland is a wonderland for the nature lover. And when it comes to national parks, we have two favourites. Situated in the West of Ireland in County Galway, Connemara National Park covers some 2,957 hectares of scenic mountains, expanses of bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands. Some of the Park’s mountains, namely Benbaun, Bencullagh, Benbrack and Muckanaght, are part of the famous Twelve Bens or Beanna Beola range. Ballycroy National Park was established in November 1998, it is Ireland’s sixth National Park and is located on the Western seaboard in northwest Mayo. It has 11,000 hectares of Atlantic blanket bog and mountainous terrain, covering a vast uninhabited and unspoilt wilderness dominated by the Nephin Beg mountain range.
    2. The 42km Great Western Greenway is the longest off-road walking and cycling trail in Ireland. The World Class Great Western Greenway is a traffic free cycling and walking trail which follows the route of the renowned Westport to Achill railway which closed in 1937. We love the Greenway – ask us all about it at Lough Lannagh and we’ll give you the full picture.
    3. Festivals are simply everywhere, right throughout the west. One of our favourites is the choral festival on every year, right on our doorstep here in Castlebar. Whether it’s sport, music or the arts, we can assure you, there’s a festival out west for you.
    4. Bird, bat, cloud, dolphin watching –for the nature lover, the West simply will not disappoint. Ask us about wildlife watching. From dolphins off the Mayo coast to bird watching on marshland, there’s so much going on.
    5. Take part in conservation work – we have a rich heritage, both natural and built. In recent years, many people have enjoyed doing conservation work on some of our established national icons and sites of historical interest.

    And that’s just a taster. Keep an eye out on our blog page for detailed blogs on many of the above. Most of all though, talk to us at the front desk in Lough Lannagh. We know the region inside out and if it’s going on out west, we’ll know all about it, so where will you go first? Talk to us or check availability.

    Need more information then contact us

     

    Posted in Blog, Retreats Mayo | Tagged
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  • Raising the bar for entertainment – so much to do in our town Castlebar

    We’re proud of our hometown at Lough Lannagh. We’re right in Castlebar, Co. Mayo and so many of our guests from both our B&B and self-catering accommodation just love to roam around the town for some shopping, culture, history and more. Castlebar has so much to offer. From national museums to two top class theatres as well as a wide range of pubs and restaurants, you will not be short of anything to do during your stay here. It’s a busy town that now has a third level campus and is well served by railway and many bus routes too.

    The modern town grew up as a settlement around the de Barry castle, which was built by a Norman adventurer in 1235 and gives the town its name. The castle was located at the end of Castle Street, where the town river is thought to have originally flowed. Like many an Irish town dating from this period, armed conflict has been a big part our town’s historical heritage. French forces under the command of General Humbert routed the English garrison in the town during the failed Irish Rebellion of 1798, which was so comprehensive it would later be known as “The Races of Castlebar”.

    We’re glad to say modern day Castlebar is a lot less bloody thankfully but the story of our town’s history is everywhere. Just outside the town, the National Museum of country life is focused on ordinary life from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, with much of the material coming from rural Ireland in the 1930s. There are displays on the home, the natural environment, communities and forces for change.

    Castlebar does love its culture alright. The Linenhall theatre exhibits visual art throughout the year, and hosts live drama and music performances. It also organises an annual children’s arts festival called Roola Boola which is one festival that has always held a specula place in our hearts. The Royal Theatre and Event Centre has a bigger capacity and hosts larger-scale productions and popular music concerts. Usually lots of comedy too.

    Or if you’d just like to take it easy, Castlebar is a brilliant shopping town and you’ll find all the major brands in many of its wide variety of shops,. You’ll also see lots of craft products in the several artisan shops dotted around the town. Add in playgrounds, several sporting clubs and a bowling alley and cinema too and you get the picture. Castlebar is alive and well and one blog does not do it justice!

    When you stay with us at Lough Lannagh, just ask us on the front desk and we’re more than happy to talk about our hometown, where to go and what to do….better still…BOOK NOW

    Need more information then Contact Us

  • Medical student accommodation for your placement at Mayo General – Lough Lannagh is just what the doctor ordered

    College days are over for a little while! If you’re a medical student and are out on placement at Mayo General, we have got the prefect accommodation for you and lots of facilities too. Every year, students from all over the country stay with us at Lough Lannagh as we offer fantastic medical student rates and are within walking distance of the hospital for when you are on call. We know you’ll have to get the books out in January for your finals too so we can ensure you’ve somewhere quiet to study.
    Doing a medical degree in college can be a tough course! And you’re probably looking forward to getting onto the wards and seeing what life is like as a doctor in a busy hospital like Mayo General. You need accommodation close by to Castlebar and we can help. At Lough Lannagh you can rent self catering accommodation or stay at our lodge and get B&B if you wish. If budget is a concern, we can offer special academic rates on our self catering options. Many students have stayed with us before and have found us an ideal location within walking distance of the hospital – perfect for your first night on-call.
    For your days off or even during your free time during the day (don’t worry, you will have some!!) there’s so much to do. Lough Lannagh Outdoor Fitness trail will keep you in top tip condition. In terms of equipment, there are our cardiovascular and resistance training areas including a walking and running route sure to get you heart pumping. So you can see why so many choose to stay with us at Lough Lannagh.
    Even though you’re working, you’ll still have to face your finals. And what better place to study than in peaceful Mayo where you can get down to the books when you need to in January. Free WiFi and walking distance of Mayo County Library. So, come on, check out availability now.

    Posted in Blog, Working & Studying & Research
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