The Best Detour in County Mayo Ireland

County Mayo, Ireland is not directly on the tourist trail — which in some ways is a good thing.

Folks come to Westport, Ashford Castle, Knock Shrine and perhaps visit to climb Croagh Patrick peak which is just outside of Westport.

However there’s a lot more to do in this large county in the western part of Ireland.

I’ve talked about some of the things to do in Northern County Mayo where I spent one quick night on my last trip — Ballycroy National Park, the north Mayo coast and the Céide Fields.

But my love of County Mayo began on that first fateful trip to Ireland in 2007.

Driving through the Doolough Valley

Back in 2007 my Irish friend, Aédin, and I were driving from the Galway City area up to Westport.

As we drove through Connemara — the western part of County Galway — I was awed by this desolate landscape of soaring peaks and peaty bogland.

We hit the village of Leenaun and made our way around the beautiful Killary Fiord.

We crossed in County Mayo and the gorgeous scenery continued — southern Mayo is basically an extension of Connemara.

As we drove through the Doolough Valley — one of my favorite drives — I truly began to fall in love with this Irish landscape.

Southern County Mayo near the Doolough Valley.

“I think there’s a beach down here!”

As we drove a bit north of the Doolough Valley Aédin spoke these words as she made a left turn onto a more rural road.

I certainly didn’t argue as I was eager to visit places that only the locals know about.

We drove along this road as we made our way west through sheep and cattle farms — and we ended up behind a man and his daughter herding some sheep down the road.

“Stop. I want to take some pictures,” I exclaimed as I jumped out of the car grabbing my camera. And I took off running down the road after the man, his daughter, the dog and all the sheep.

They move faster than you think!

I took some snaps and turned back to the car to see Aédin laughing her ass off at me.

She had quite the story of her crazy American friend for her return to work in a couple of days.

The roads near Killadoon and Aédin’s Beach.

The sheep herder, his daughter and dog — too bad there’s not a photo of me running after them with my camera!

The glittering sea in the distance

As we continued driving west we drove through beautiful rural landscapes with the occasional farm house sitting in the rolling fields.

The roads near Killadoon and Aédin’s Beach.

Catching glimpses of the sea and the islands of southern County Mayo.

Then I spotted the sea off in the distance.

I kept thinking “Wow! This is gorgeous!”

The road turned to the left again heading south.

And we saw this

Beautiful beach in County Mayo.

“This isn’t it, ” Aédin said.

It looked like a beautiful beach to me but I trusted her to know what she was looking for.

Arriving at Aédin’s Beach

After a few more kilometers of the roller coaster ride through the rural County Mayo landscape, we pulled into a parking area just as a couple was leaving the beach.

They left us this gift …

The gift of a perfect set of footprints in the sand.

And they gave my friend and I the other gift of having the beach to ourselves on this beautiful September afternoon.

I was amazed by this stunning landscape — I didn’t think beaches like this existed in Ireland.

Boy was I wrong on that one as I’ve since seen and walked on some dazzling beaches.

We walked along the beach separately, each lost in our own thoughts — each of us meditating in our own way with this unbelievable scenery.

I remember thinking that I needed to return to this area and specifically this beach.

And while I tried to remember the turnoff when my parents traveled with me in 2010, I missed it. Probably because I was coming from the other direction.

Aédin walking down her beach. I love this image!

Aédin’s Beach…simply gorgeous!

The shimmering sea of southern County Mayo. What a stunning day!

The sea rolling in on a beautiful day.

I’m finally returning to this part of County Mayo

So on this upcoming trip I told myself that I absolutely could not leave Ireland without visiting Aédin’s Beach.

And I actually found an Airbnb located just a stone’s throw away.

I have 4 nights of bliss planned in this magnificent spot in southern County Mayo — and I can’t wait!

Hopefully I’ll find out the name of the 2 different beaches — the one Aédin said wasn’t the one and the one I call Aédin’s Beach.

And while I hate to share this too much because I want it to remain unspoiled, I know there are those of you who would simply love it.

One of the sheep farms in Mayo.

Walking down Aédin’s Beach. Beautiful day to be on a beautiful beach.

Taking detours

So the moral of this story is to take those detours.

Get off the beaten path.

Trust your friend — especially when she’s a local (well a local to Ireland, not Mayo).

Allow time to explore and discover.

Take it from me — it’s so worth it.

Because this is definitely one of my favorite travel memories — one that I pull out when I’m having a bad day.

What’s your favorite travel memory? Does it involve a detour?

I’d love to know!