Blacksod bay offers a wide variety of activities to suit any age group.
You can go sea fishing in the bay or go freshwater angling for trout and wild salmon. If you’re interested in water sports you can try surfing, wind surfing, kite surfing, and more in the sheltered bays on the east of the peninsula or the wild Atlantic waters.
Blacksod bay has become popular with bird watching communities and other wild life enthusiasts. Guided tours of the nearby islands are available and provide excellent opportunities to see seals, dolphins and many endangered birds.
Léim Siar Bike Hire can provide you with another exciting way of seeing our beautiful penninsula.
Enjoy a quiet, leisurely cycle around the coast and take the time to immerse yourself in the tranquility of Belmullet Pennisula.
Bird Watching on the Mullet Peninsula
The Blacksod area is rich in bird life with several rare species visiting our shores. Species include:
| Barnacle Geese | Brent Geese |
| Red Neck Phalarope | Storm Petrels |
| Corncrake | Snowy Owl |
| Peregrine Falcon | Gannet |
Click here to download Birdwatch Ireland’s “Where to Watch” guide for North West Mayo.
Flocks of up to 3000 barnacle geese migrate to here each winter to graze on local meadows and nearby offshore islands.
Researchers from Queens University Belfast are currently tracking Brent Geese from Greenland to Eel Grass feeding grounds around the Mullet Peninsula.
The rare Red Neck Phalarope is also a visitor here at its only regular breeding ground in Ireland at Termoncarragh Lake.
Over 200 storm petrels have been tagged by the parks and wildlife service on nearby Duvilann Island.
The Mullet peninsula is one of only about half a dozen nesting sites in Ireland for the once abundant and now very rare corncrake.
Tours to see these any many other species such as Snowy Owl, Peregrine Falcon, Gannet and many more are available locally.
Fishing on the Mullet Peninsula
Sea Fishing
The waters around Blacksod Bay are an angler’s paradise with over 30 species of fish caught. The bay and surrounding areas offer a mancy choices of locations for the angler to test his or her skills, from sheltered inlets to beneath the rugged cliffs of Achill Head to the Iniskea Islands to sandy seabed’s for flat fish.
There are 4 charter boats available for hire in Blacksod, each with experienced skippers with a wealth of knowledge of the most promising spots to catch the most and the largest fish.
A range of full or half day or evening trips are available.
Shore Angling
There are many sandy beaches in the area for those interested in shore angling and also rocky outcrops and ledges. The pier at Blacksod is a favorite spot for many anglers.
Freshwater Angling
For freshwater enthusiasts, Carrowmore Lake, Glenamoy River and Owenmore River are renowned for their catches of Atlantic wild salmon and sea trout.
Fishing on the Mullet Peninsula
Sea Fishing
The waters around Blacksod Bay are an angler’s paradise with over 30 species of fish caught. The bay and surrounding areas offer a mancy choices of locations for the angler to test his or her skills, from sheltered inlets to beneath the rugged cliffs of Achill Head to the Iniskea Islands to sandy seabed’s for flat fish.
There are 4 charter boats available for hire in Blacksod, each with experienced skippers with a wealth of knowledge of the most promising spots to catch the most and the largest fish.
A range of full or half day or evening trips are available.
Shore Angling
There are many sandy beaches in the area for those interested in shore angling and also rocky outcrops and ledges. The pier at Blacksod is a favorite spot for many anglers.
Freshwater Angling
For freshwater enthusiasts, Carrowmore Lake, Glenamoy River and Owenmore River are renowned for their catches of Atlantic wild salmon and sea trout.
Water Sports
Water Sports on Blacksod Bay
There is no place like Blacksod Bay for the very best of Water Sport and Water Based Activiites.
Blacksod is an ideal destination if you are interested in Diving & Snorkeling, Surfing & Wind Surfing, Kayaking, Sailing or just looking for a day at the beach.
Diving and Snorkeling
The crystal clear waters of the Atlantic provide some of the finest diving sites in Ireland. Many Irish and international diving clubs return annually to dive in the area. A fully licensed and equipped diving boat is available for charter hire in Blacksod with an experienced skipper and diving instructor. He has many years of experience and his local knowledge guarantees the best sites for diving and snorkeling.
Surfing and Wind Surfing
At Elly Bay the Atlantic rollers crash on this long golden beach. Known locally as the “back shore,” it is recognized as one of the premier surf beaches in Mayo. All year round surfers congregate here from all over Ireland to catch the wild waves.
Other Water Sports on Blacksod Bay
- Sea Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Kite Surfing
- Sailing
Please call Hannah to request additional details and information on local activites.
Golfing on the Erris Peninsula
Carne Golf Links in North Mayo boasts magnificent sand dunes overlooking Blacksod Bay and the wild Atlantic Ocean near the town of Belmullet.
Designed by Eddie Hackett, Carne Golf Links is on par with the other great links courses of Ireland including Lahinch, Ballybunion and Rosses Point. Built on natural sand dunes with breathtaking views of Blacksod Bay and Achill, this par 72 course is a challenge to any golfer, but is known to be one of life’s unforgettable golfing experiences.
Voted IGTOA Course of the year 2005.
Night Life & Dining
Bars and Night Clubs
If it is a quiet drink you’re after then Teach Una’s in Blacksod is the place to go! Located a brief walk from Léim Siar, at Una’s you will be welcomed by locals of all ages. And don’t forget to stop by for a pint on a Friday evening in the summer, when you will be able to catch a traditional Irish music session.
Also located near the B and B is Teach John Joe’s in Aughleam where you can take in the quiet atmosphere.
If you fancy being a bit more energetic, there are 2 dance/nightclubs in Belmullet and a wide choice of pubs around the town.
Restaurants and Eating
You can choose from a number of restaurants with Indian, Chinese or European foo, bar food, or takeaway food in Belmullet where there is also a good selection of shops and supermarkets. The towns of Ballina and Castlebar have the usual High Street boutiques and retail outlets.
Heritage and History
The Mayo area of Erris is steeped in history from the Stone Age settlement at the Ceide Fields North of Belmullet to the wrecks of the Spanish Armada in Blacksod Bay.
Gaeltacht
The Mullet Peninsula, particularly Blacksod, is part of the Irish Gaeltacht where the Irish is still spoken as an everyday language. There is an Irish language course run during Easter and several courses that run during the summer months, as well as a full time Irish college in Elly.
The history of the Iniskea islands, the lighthouses and the local traditions are all available to see at the local Heritage Centre (Ionad Deirbhle) in Aughleam.
The Blacksod Lighthouse
During World War II, the Blacksod Lighthouse is the location from which advanced weather reports were transmitted to allied commanders, leading them to postpone for a day before advancing with the D-Day Invasion. The lighthouse is located just a 5-minute walk from Léim Siar.
Cycle around Blacksod Bay
The Belmullet Cycle Hub (10km) in associaition with Kilmore Triathlon Club and Erris Tourism was formed in 2010.
This is a fantastic way to see the true beauty and natural landscape of the Mullet Peninsula.
Bike Hire is available from Léim Siar Bed and Breakfast.
Bike Hire: Fully Equipped, Alloy Hybrid Bikes
€10 a day
€7 for a half day
Léim Siar B&B, Blacksod, Belmullet
Excellent Area for Cycling
Landline
+353 97 85004
Mobile +353 86 251 2965
Delivery available
