Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the car park at the end of the Downpatrick Head road, follow the waymarked path north over the grassy headland to the cliff-top viewpoint above Dún Briste, the sea stack cut off from the mainland, with the Stags of Broadhaven out to the west. The loop then turns back along the western side of the headland to the car park. The council's walk sheet marks the Éire sign, the Second World War watchtower, a statue of St Patrick and the blowhole on the headland.
It is 1.5 km round with 34 m of ascent; allow about half an hour. The grade is Easy: grass tracks and a gravel path, with no real climb.
The cliff edge is dangerous, above all in wind: keep well back from it, and keep children under close supervision, as the council's walk sheet says. Part of the route is shared with vehicles. The walk crosses private land by the landowners' permission, so keep to the waymarked path.
The car park at the trailhead is free according to OpenStreetMap, and is the council's start point. Ballina, the nearest railway station, is about 27 km away.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Downpatrick Head lies about 5 km north of Ballycastle in north Mayo and looks out to the Stags of Broadhaven and the sea stack of Dún Briste.
- Dún Briste, 'the broken fort', is a stack 45 m high, 63 m long and 23 m wide; in the legend Saint Patrick cut it off from the mainland with his staff.
- Researchers who landed on the stack by helicopter in 1980 found the remains of stone buildings and of sheep crossings, so it was once joined to the land.
- The council's walk sheet for the loop marks the Éire sign, a Second World War watchtower, a statue of St Patrick and a blowhole on the headland.
Getting there
Start: Downpatrick Head car park · Free parking. 54.32270, -9.34560
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Ballina: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.