How to Visit Downpatrick Head
Read our travel guide on Downpatrick Head and Dun Briste sea stack in Ireland. Includes tips on what to see and do there, how to get, where to stay, or when to go.
Downpatrick Head is a stunning headland located in County Mayo, only a short drive from the small village of Ballycastle.
At 40 meters above the sea, this grassy headland offers a sense of solitude and beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean.
It's home to a spectacular sea stack, Wild Atlantic Way Signature Discovery Point, WW2 lookout post, huge EIRE sign, and the rugged cliffs offer a perfect shelter to many bird species.
Furthermore, Downpatrick Head is off-the-beaten-path and provides that unique Ireland road trip feeling without being squished.
So if you're tired of crowds at places such as Ring of Kerry or Kylemore Abbey, you've come to the right place.
Here's everything you should know about Downpatrick Head before you go.
What to See and Do
Downpatrick Head is a very easy place to visit, and planning a trip there is not a complicated task.
Before the trip, we didn't know much about this area, except that there was a sea stack and some cliffs.
We found much more here, though. Dun Briste viewpoint is only 500 meters from the parking, so this is a relatively short walk for all ages.
Here are some of the most interesting places we have seen at Downpatrick Head.
Parking
After spending a night on Belmullet, we hit the road early in the morning and made our way toward Downpatrick Head.
The Ceide Fields, home to one of the oldest-known field systems in the world, we passed along was still closed, so we headed directly to Ballycastle.
Here, we turned left and continued toward Muingreevagh, where we turned left once again and connected on a super narrow road that brought us to the parking area.
As we approached the parking lot, we could already see that our effort to wake up early had paid off.
The parking lot was empty except for one campervan, which probably was parked here overnight.
Unlike Fanore Beach and similar places, it seems that overnight parking is not prohibited here.
Though, this is basically just a gravel lot with no facilities.
As it was still pretty early in the morning, we slowly ate our breakfast while watching the restless waters of the ocean and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere without any people around us.
Trailhead
The Downpatrick Head trailhead conveniently starts from the parking lot. We passed through the gate and followed the wide grassy trail along the farmland.
After a minute or two, we reached a small blowhole covered with a metal grate, a tiny taste of things to come. Anyway.
We continued further up until we reached another gate with a strange-looking mound right next to it.
We were excited to see the sea stack first, so we left the pile unnoticed and walked toward the cliffs.
St. Patrick Legend
Before we got to the cliff area, there was one more stop along the way.
A gentle climb up brought us to the ruins of a church with a holy well, a simple stone cross, and a statue of St. Patrick.
According to a myth, St. Patrick himself founded a church on top of this green and secluded promontory.
There was not much left here, though, so we quickly checked the ruins and carried on.
By the way, a mass on Garland Sunday is being held at Downpatrick Head on the last Sunday of every July.
Dun Briste Sea Stack
Without any doubt, Dun Briste, an almost 50-meter tall sea stack, is, for many travelers, the main reason to visit Downpatrick Head.
Dun Briste means the Broken Fort in English, and this impressive sea stack was once connected with the mainland.
The local legend says St. Patrick smashed the ground with his crozier (ornamented pastoral staff) after a local pagan chieftain refused to convert to Christianity.
The impact was so powerful that the land split into two, splitting the sea stack from the mainland.
The Annals of the Four Masters mentioned that the land bridge that connected the rock with the mainland collapsed during a hurricane in 1393.
Some families were stranded there but were eventually rescued using ship ropes.
A few ruins remain on the top of the sea stack to this day.
Unlike some sea stacks we've seen elsewhere, Dun Briste is only 80 meters off the Downpatrick Head.
It means it's really close, and you can admire it in its full glory even without a pair of binoculars.
Staggs of Broadhaven
On a day with great visibility, you should be able to spot Staggs of Broadhaven in the distance, a group of five rocky islands rising to a height of 100 meters from the ocean.
As the islands are pretty far away from here, they only appeared as tiny specks on the horizon.
Either way, the views from the cliffs were mesmerizing.
Lookout Tower
Then we headed to the nearby Lookout Post. At this point, the trail sort of disappeared, and we had to cross a soft mossy field that looked absolutely beautiful.
We wished there was some sort of designated trail or a boardwalk at this point to protect such a fragile area. When WW2 broke out, Ireland decided to stay neutral.
Over 80 Lookout Posts (LOPs) were built between 1939 to 1942 to monitor the Irish coastline.
A small crew managed the posts and looked for any suspicious activities along the coastline.
Small and basic concrete lookout posts were erected in selected locations to make their job more efficient and convenient. Lookout Post at Downpatrick Head was no exception.
Some of the towers have been restored, giving us a better picture of how hard their job really was.
Unlike the Lookout Post at Dunmore Head, this one was relatively clean and without any unpleasant smells.
EIRE 64
As we explored further, we stumbled upon a huge EIRE 64 sign, reminiscent of WW2.
These signs spelled the word Eire, meaning Ireland in the Irish language, and served as navigation markers for the Allies during the Second World War.
After a long flight over the Atlantic Ocean, they finally reached the western shores of Ireland.
Knowing where they were was super important for everyone's safety. EIRE signs dot the Irish coast to this day, and you can find them also at places such as Sheep's Head or Malin Head.
Obviously, the sign would be far more impressive from the aerial view, but it's the historical importance that matters here.
Bird Watching
The rugged rocky cliffs and an inaccessible sea stack make an ideal nesting and breeding ground for many bird species.
There are several good places where to watch seabirds in north Mayo, with Downpatrick Head being among the best ones.
Look for fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, great skuas, and even puffins.
Summer is considered to be the best time to visit Downpatrick Head for bird watching.
Autumn, with its favorable winds, is ideal for spotting shearwaters, skuas, and petrels passing close mainland.
Poll Na Seantainne Blowhole
On the way back to our car, we finally stopped to explore the strange-looking green mound in the middle of the area.
It turned out to be Poll Na Seantainne, a massive blowhole that shattered all our expectations about what we were going to find there.
Admittedly, we had no idea that such a giant gap in the land existed here prior to the trip, so that was really a surprise for us.
Almost immediately, our minds started spinning as we started to think about this area in a more complex way, particularly what's beneath us.
An extensive cave system that is constantly eroding under the power of the ocean while the waves are pushing their way through the headland.
In theory, it sounds really cool, but the reality of standing atop such a delicate piece of land while watching the elements was a bit unsettling.
The blowhole itself has a barrier and a lovely viewing platform with a plastic window allowing visitors to marvel at all that beauty from safety.
While still thinking about how incredible our planet Earth is, we made our way to our car and set off for another adventure shortly after.
Our next stop on our itinerary was Coolera Peninsula, famous for Queen Maeve's Tomb and Carrowmore Megalithic Complex.
Opening Hours
Downpatrick Head is open 24/7, and visitors can explore it all year round.
Entrance Fee
There is no entry fee to Downpatrick Head, which is great news for people visiting Ireland on a budget.
There are tons of amazing stops free to explore worth including in your itinerary, and Downpatrick Head is definitely one of them.
How Much Time Do I Need
We would say that you will generally need about an hour for Downpatrick Head.
However, Downpatrick Head provides stunning views over the rugged coast and great birdwatching opportunities.
Therefore, it's easy to spend more time than planned.
This is true with so many places on the island, so keep that in mind when planning your Ireland road trip itinerary.
When to Go
You can visit Downpatrick Head all year round, though you should be well aware of each season's pros and cons before heading to Ireland.
Thanks to long and warm days, summer is often considered the best time to visit Ireland.
Spring and fall are ideal seasons for travelers seeking better deals on accommodation and a more peaceful atmosphere.
We visited Downpatrick Head in May, and although the weather was quite changeable, we were pretty happy with our choice.
Winters are often cold, but the main downside is the short days that make traveling a bit more challenging.
Either way, we have a feeling that Downpatrick Head is stunning any time of the year.
Just make sure to bring an extra layer or two when traveling in the off-season.
What to Pack
The parking lot is conveniently located right next to the site, so you don't need to overthink what to wear to visit Downpatrick Head.
Still, there are a few items that should be on every Ireland packing list.
Even though this was a very gentle walk, the trail was fairly wet and soggy in the morning, so we were glad we had put our hiking boots on.
In summer, regular runners should work probably more than fine.
Our key to combat unpredictable weather lies in using rain and windproof gear, even on short walks such as this one.
Even though we avoided the rain, it was incredibly windy up there.
Our trusty rain jacket is one of the items we never leave home without. A quality windbreaker might work as well in certain situations.
If you're into bird watching, bring binoculars with you.
How to Get There
By far, the easiest way to get to Downpatrick Head is by car.
We believe Ireland is one of the best places to visit on a road trip, and sites such as Downpatrick Head only prove our point.
Luckily, renting a car in Ireland is an especially easy process.
Car
Ballycastle, which is only six kilometers south of Downpatrick Head, sits on R314.
This paved road has two lanes and is easy to navigate, even if you're driving in Ireland for the first time.
The 6-kilometer stretch of a rural road that connects the town with the headland is quite narrow, though, and requires careful driving.
From Sligo, follow N4, N59, and eventually R314. The trip should take approximately 90 minutes.
Enniscrone is about 45 minutes from here.
Even though it takes about 75 minutes to get to Downpatrick Head from either Westport, Newport, or Castlebar, we suggest following N59 and exploring Wild Nephin National Park, Achill Sound, and Belmullet first.
By car, the most direct journey from Galway to Downpatrick Head takes two and a half hours.
You will spend about four hours on the road when departing from Dublin.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Bus
Getting to Downpatrick Head by bus is possible, but not very convenient.
Bus Eireann services route 445, which connects Ballina, Killala, and Ballycastle from Monday to Friday.
The bus conveniently stops at Muingreevagh, which is less than two kilometers from Downpatrick Head.
Here you will find more tips on how to get around Ireland.
Where to Stay
When it comes to accommodation near Downpatrick Head, there are several options to choose from.
If you want to keep your budget at bay, the countryside around Ballycastle is very picturesque and home to several small bed and breakfasts.
The nearby towns of Enniscrone and Ballina offer great locations as well and come with a wider selection of hotels.
Here are our tips on the best hotels near Downpatrick Head.
Ballycastle | Stella Maris Country House - Nestled on the seashore, this beautiful bed and breakfast is about a 10-minute drive from Downpatrick Head. It offers rooms overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, serves a traditional Irish breakfast in the morning, and has on-site free private parking.
Enniscrone | Diamond Coast Hotel - Situated in Killala Bay in the small town of Enniscrone, this beautiful mid-range hotel boasts modern rooms, fine dining options, a fabulous location, and free private parking.
Ballina | Belleek Castle - Set on castle grounds within 1.000 acres of woodland, this stunning historic castle boasts stylish decor, spacious rooms, 17th-century nautical decor, the 13th-century Norman fireplace, and much more. Free parking is available.
Staying Safe
In general, Downpatrick Head is safe to visit, but you need to exercise extra caution when walking along the cliffs.
Unlike the main area at Cliffs of Moher, there are no barriers that would prevent visitors from getting too close to cliff's edge.
For this reason, this area is often considered not safe to visit for families with small children.
The blowhole is the only fenced-off site here.
Don't take any risks, and stay at a safe distance from the edges.
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Downpatrick Head Worth Visiting?
If you're touring County Mayo, we believe Downpatrick Head is definitely worth seeing. It has a spectacular sea stack, a massive blowhole, and great opportunities for birdwatching.
For us, it was one of the best little attractions on our journey along the Wild Atlantic Way.
However, we understand that plenty of similar places are scattered along Ireland's coast, and it's hard to pick which ones to visit while there.
Either way, whether you explore Mizen Head, Fanad Head, or Downpatrick Head, we believe you won't leave disappointed.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
