Our Communities
The communities of Newport, Mulranny and Ballycroy are situated in West Mayo, bordering the 15000 hectares of Mayo International Dark Sky Park, the first accredited Dark Sky Park in Ireland.
Newport
Newport (Baile Uí Fhiacháin) is a small picturesque town, which nestles on the northern shores of Clew Bay, famous for its 365 Islands. Situated on the Wild Atlantic Way, it is a gateway to Mulranny, Achill, Nephin and Ballycroy and only 18 km west of Castlebar, the county town of County Mayo, and 11 km from Westport. The town has a variety of accommodation for visitors from hotels and B&Bs to hostels with a variety of places to eat and activities on offer.
History of newport
Newport was founded in the early 1700’s, and has several prominent architectural features such as St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (completed 1918) constructed in the Irish Romanesque style by Rudolph M Butler. Its beautiful stained glass east window (“The Last Judgment”) is the last one completed by renowned artist Harry Clarke (1930). Another beautiful feature of the town heritage is its seven arch viaduct, built in over the Black Oak River in 1892 to carry the Westport to Achill railway line.
Newport Dark Sky Community
Today Newport is a proud and vibrant community. As a founder member of the Friends of Mayo Dark Skies Steering Group, it has embraced the Dark Skies ethos and now has a thriving Astronomy Club, with regular observation sessions in and around the Dark Sky Park. Newport also hosted the first ever Mayo Dark Sky Festival in October 2016.
In 2022, Newport launched its Dark Sky Master Lighting Plan, with the first phase completed in late 2022 with new low kelvin street lighting, followed in 2023 by the award winning lighting upgrade of St Patricks Church. Newport is now well on its way to becoming the first Dark Sky Friendly Town in Ireland.
Mulranny
History of Mulranny
Mulranny is a hidden treasure of spectacular landscapes and outdoor adventures perched on the Wild Atlantic Way along the rugged coast of Co. Mayo. Mulranny is located on an isthmus, a narrow neck of land that joins the Currane Peninsula to the Nephin mountain range and separates Clew Bay from Bellacragher Bay. Mulranny offers beautiful coastal landscapes and seascapes. Its diverse vistas can be accessed along the 6km Mulranny Loop Walk, from the Victorian Causeway and the hand cut stone pier. Clean blue flag beaches and coastline offer an enhanced outdoor experience for all.
Mulranny Dark Sky Community
Stewardship of Mulranny’s environment, access, conservation and participatory learning events are the growing hallmarks of Mulranny’s sustainable tourism brand. Public lighting in Mulranny has recently been upgraded to reduce light pollution in the area and the community is a strong advocate for dark sky friendly lighting. Mulranny Community is also a founder member of the Friends of Mayo Dark Skies Steering group and regularly hosts dark sky related events and viewing nights. Accommodation in Mulranny ranges from a four star hotel, self-catering and B&Bs.
Ballycroy
Ballycroy is the ‘Gateway to Erris’ and forms part of the Wild Atlantic Way. It is made up of 47 small townlands. The village itself has a very vibrant community spirit, with a busy community centre, a traditional pub, two national schools, Garda station, post office, and of course, Ballycroy Visitor Centre right on its doorstep.
History of Ballycroy
Ballycroy is a beautiful, traditional village located on the west Coast of Ireland. It is situated along the N59 and nestles quietly between Mulranny village and Bangor in the Barony of Erris, touching the Wild Atlantic ocean with breathtaking views of Inishbiggle Island, Achill Island and parts of Erris. It is surrounded by the Nephin beg mountain range covering a vast uninhabited and unspoilt wilderness and offering ideal access to the visitor centre of the Mayo Dark Sky Park.
Ballycroy Dark Sky Community
Ballycroy is one of the founding members of the Friends of Mayo Dark Skies steering group, and was instrumental in the National Park being awarded gold tier status in 2016 by Dark Sky International.
The village continues to support dark sky initiatives, hosting events throughout the year, including many family friendly events throughout the Dark Sky Festival weekend. Many of the village’s residents and business owners are ‘Dark Sky Ambassadors’ promoting dark sky friendly lighting in the area.
Explore the Area
Hotel Newport
F28 YX89
Newport National School
F28 ED89
St. Patricks Church Newport
F28 HF96
Burrishoole Abbey
Aghadooey Glebe, off the N59
Mulranny Arts Centre
F28 F8N8
Mulranny Park Hotel
F28 N2H9
Mulranny Beach
Opposite Mulranny Park Hotel
Ballycroy Visitor Centre
F28 RX77
Ballycroy Community Centre
F28 H6C9
Plan Your Visit
Maps & Links
Shuttle Bus Service
Explore Mayo
Mayo’s Dark Sky Communities
Stargazing
