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Louisburgh
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Louisburgh is a small
town situated on the banks of the Bunowen river in the southwest
corner of Clew Bay in County Mayo. Louisburgh is close to Croagh
Patrick to the east, the Sheaffrey and Mweelrea Mountains to the
south, the Atlantic to the west and Clew Bay to the north.
Louisburgh was established in 1795 by Lord Altamont [John Browne].
The town was a planned town and built on the pattern that exists to
this day, a four street system with a central cross roads, known
locally as "the Square".
The town's non-irish sounding name came about because of the Browne
family's links to the battle of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia in 1758.
Prior to the founding of Louisburgh, the area around the town was
home to Grainne ni Mhaille - or Grace O'Malley - the Pirate Queen of
Connaught. Remains of her presence are still visible today on Clare
Island, and her life is portrayed in Louisburgh in the Grainne ni
Mhaille Centre in Church Street.
Louisburgh is the focal point of an area some700 square kilometres
in extent, stretching from the Owenree River in the North to Killary
Fiord in the South and from the Atlantic coast to the Erriff valley
in the east. All of this landscape is designated as an area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Mayo County Development Plan.
There are a number of excellent beaches within walking distance or a
short drive from Louisburgh including Carramore, Old Head, Bertra,
Carrowniskey, Emlagh, Cross and Silver Strand. Most of these beaches
are blue flag. Carrowniskey beach is famous for its surfing and
lessons can be arranged on the beach. After almost a 30 year absence
horse racing returned to Louisburgh in 2010 with the staging of
thefamous beach races on Carrowniskey beach.
Croagh Patrick – Ireland’s Holy Mountain – provides a majestic
backdrop to Louisburgh. Up to 500 people climb all or part of it
daily during the summer months. "Reek Sunday" (the last Sunday in
July) sees more than 25,000 making the climb.
There is fresh water fishing in the Carrowniskey and Bunowen rivers.
Boat trips to Clare Island and Inishturk are popular. Westport’s 18
hole championship golf course is located 20km east of Louisburgh.
All around there are superb scenic drives taking in places like
Killary Harbour,Doolough Pass, Leenane, Achill, Clifden, Letterfrack
and Kylemore Abbey.
The Louisburgh Horse Show takes place alongside the beautiful Blue
Flag Beach at Carramore just outside the village. Founded in 1968
the Louisburgh Horse Show was a welcome attraction to this idyllic
location in the west of Ireland.. Events include
Show-Class-Competitions with qualifiers and show-jumping as well as
the ever popular Dog Show which attracts people from all over the
country to compete or simply to watch. |
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Louisburgh Holiday Homes - County Mayo, Ireland