My Mayo holiday – Ella McSweeney, Broadcaster, Dublin

“I’d move to Mayo in a shot if it was my choice”


Ella McSweeney, Broadcaster, Dublin
I love Mayo, always have - the people, the landscape, the sea, the rivers and lakes, the mountains - everything! I was there for a week in July with my family. We rented a little house within walking distance of Newport and moved around the Newport/Burrishoole/Achill region. We got three days of rain and four days of sunshine but I didn’t mind the bad weather either - when it was raining, we were swimming happily in the sea.
Cycling the Greenway from Newport to Mulranny was definitely the highlight of the trip. It is magnificent. The route is spectacular and it’s the best outdoor activity I’ve done in Ireland all year. We also spent a good amount of time swimming in the sea off Achill and kayaking too. We also did a bit of walking up by Burrishoole.
I adore Burrishoole, especially Lough Furnace. I know Dr Russell Poole there who runs the Salmon Research Agency and he very generously gave my family a tour of the Irish traps there, which are the oldest records of salmon, trout and eel populations in Europe. The Harry Clarke stained windows in Newport church too are complete gems.
On the Friday night a group of us went to Newport House for dinner and I can’t say enough about the place. It was my first time there and the food was sublime, courses and courses of extraordinary dishes, many using local ingredients.
I’d move to Mayo in a shot if it was my choice! I try to visit the place at least twice a year for holidays, and even more for work with Ear to the Ground. The people in Newport are just fantastic - charming, helpful and fun. There is so much to do in the part of the county - I can’t wait to come back!