Your guide will collect you at Hotel Newport and drive along the northern shores of Clew Bay, to Achill Island, where we will take a private tour aboard the purpose-built RIB, for an exhilarating crossing over the short stretch of Atlantic Ocean, to the birthplace of Ireland’s Famous Pirate Queen, Grainne Uaile.

On this unforgettable trip, we will be hugging some of the most incredible coastlines Mayo has to offer.  

Soak up the spectacular views back across Achill Island, the Nephin Beg mountains, Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick. Keep an eye out for the enormous Basking Shark or enjoy a pod of dolphins cruising with us on the bow of the boat!

Scan the the islands steep cliffs which are in breeding sites for many sea birds including a small but typically charming Atlantic Puffin colony.

Entering Clare Island harbour you will be greeted by the 16th century Granuaile’s castle. Due to its strategic location the castle was vital in controlling the waters of Clew Bay. and considered to be a fine example of a tower house.

Clare island is rich in history, from megalithic tombs to holy wells. We will walk from the harbour visiting Clare Island Abbey, where you’ll find rare medieval wall and intricate paintings. It is rumoured that Grace O’Malley was baptised, married, and buried here.

Continuing along the 8km Knocknaveena loop walk to get a real sense of island life and enjoy some of the spectacular scenery and have a bit of lunch, before returning back to the harbour to meet our skipper and enjoy the journey back to Achill island.

After a full day of adventure, your guide will return you back to Newport to enjoy your evening.

This morning we will again journey along the coast towards Achill island, visiting some of heritage sites associated with Grainne Uaille.

Once on the island, we will take the magnificent Atlantic drive, towards the start of our walk, appropriately named, Slí Grainne Mhaol /Granuaile Loop walk, taking it’s name from the legendary Pirate Queen, who had another castle in nearby Kildavnet. This 7km loop has a total climb of 334 metre, with amazing views across Ashleam Bay over to Clare island and panoramic views of Achill.

After the walk, we will take some time to explore the rest of the island, including some of the locations used in the 2022 film, Banshee of Inisherin, before heading back to Newport, to enjoy a sumptuous meal of local produce in the aptly named……….. 

You guessed it! The Grainne Uaile pub.

This morning, you will get the opportunity to have your photograph taken with Grainne Uaile (Grace O’Malley) and Grace Kelly (Princess Grace of Monaco).

We will head over to Westport House, one of the few still privately-owned historic
houses left in Ireland.

Built by the Browne family whose connections to Mayo date back to the 1500s and even relates them to the trail-blazing pirate queen and chieftain, Grace O’Malley.

After Westport House, we head to the O’Malley heartland of Murrisk and its picturesque seaside village. Grace’s family lived and worked along this coast, which lies between Westport and Louisburgh.

The scenery is as epic as the Pirate Queen’s own story. The Croagh Patrick’s slopes overlook the coastline’s myriad of inlets and the bay’s innumerable islands, where Grace O’Malley once ruled the waves.

This will be our final destination before returning you to the railway station or your own transport.