Carrowtige Loop Walk, Co. Mayo

The Mayo coast is one of those places special spots. The north and far north western corners of the coast are a bit off the beaten track. Back in November we had the opportunity to do part of the Carrowtige Loop walk. The full walk is over 10km long but it is possible to do shorter loops (of about 3km), which we did. The walk offers spectacular views of Broadhaven bay, the Atlantic ocean and majestic sea cliffs.

Atlantic ocean with Kid island in the background

We were lucky to have got one of those bright winter days but the wind coming from the ocean was bracing to say the least. In the distance of the photo below you can see the Stags of Broadhaven, some rocky outcrops that jut into the Atlantic.

Coastal cliffs and sea stacks

The surrounding landscape is bogland, a rare and important habitat and an important carbon sink in a time of climate change.

bog

bog

Carrowtige is Ceathrú Thaidhg in Irish. Ceathrú means quarter or quarterland and Thadhg is the name of a person.

Kid island is grazed by sheep – how the farmers get them onto this rocky island is a bit of a mystery to me!

Kid island

 

A beautiful place