Beside the pretty River Moy in County Mayo, Ballina is a great place to go.

This town has lots of interesting stuff like history, culture, and beautiful nature. Whether you like history, being outside, or just want a calm place to relax, Ballina has something for you!

Come with me and check out the top ten things to do in Ballina!

Belleek Castle 

Belleek Castle is a special place in Ireland. You can find it in Belleek Woods, Ballina, Co. can be found at Not far from Mayo. A tour of the castle costs just €10 for adults.

This old castle was built in 1831 by Sir Arthur Francis Knox-Gore and architect John Benjamin Keynes. A lot of money has been spent!

The Knox-Gore family lived there until 1942. After this, Mayo County Council bought it. In the 1950s, it was used as a place for women suffering from tuberculosis.

Later a sailor named Marshall Doran bought the fort. He traveled a lot and collected fossils, armor and other wonderful things. These are now fort museums.

Around 1970, Marshall fixed up the castle and turned it into a hotel. You can see his work on the castle tour. There are many beautiful things to see, such as a bar that looks like a ship and rooms such as the medieval banquet hall and the Spanish Armada bar.

You can also eat there. They also have afternoon tea and other delicacies which you can check out on their website.

This amazing fort is open every day of the week.

Connacht Whiskey Company

If you’re stuck inside on a rainy day in Ballina and don’t know what to do, why not visit the Connacht Whiskey Company?

In Ireland, peoples are love pubs, but in Ballina, you can learn about drinks at the Connacht Whiskey Company!

During the tour, you can taste some of the best whiskeys in the area.

This place is located on the banks of Moi River. It is a small distillery that produces Irish whiskey. You can take a guide for this tour, taste different whiskeys and buy gifts from their shop. There are two tour times available for visitor – 12:30 and 3:30.

Belleek Woods

If you love nature, Ballina has something amazing for you! It’s called Belek Wood, and it’s the biggest forest in Europe! It is over 1,000 acres and has many great things to do such as trails, old buildings and peaceful walks along the river.

People go there to visit, walk, run and enjoy nature. Long ago, the Knox Gore family planted more than two million trees there, including oak, beech and sycamore. Now, there are several trails you can follow through the beautiful Irish forests.

As you walk, you’ll see lots of animals and flowers like irises and foxgloves. Ancient artifacts such as horse grave monuments can also be found.

People love to bring their families here because there is so much to do! Kids can climb trees, feed ducks and look for red squirrels. It’s like being in a magical place like Hogwarts!

There is even a fairy trail where you can find little houses in the trees. Everyone looks different and belongs to each fairy!

It is a clean and peaceful place where you can relax and forget your worries.

Jackie Clarke Collection 

If you like history, you’ll love visiting the Jackie Clarke Collection! It’s a museum in Ballina with lots of old things from when Ireland was fighting for freedom. You can see rare books, newspapers, and even letters and autographs from famous Irish people like Michael Collins.

There are more than 100,000 items in the museum, all are from the past 400 years. It’s in a pretty old building by the River Moy, and they have a nice garden too. It’s a great place to visit, especially on a rainy day!

It is a real clean and peaceful place where you can relax and forget your worries.

Downpatrick Head of Ballycastle 

Another cool place near Ballina is Downpatrick Head in Ballycastle. You can go on a tour and see some really old fossils from the time of the dinosaurs. Medieval weapons and armor collected from Ireland at Beleck Castle. It’s amazing to see these rare things up close!

You can see Grace O’Malley’s bed, the last wolf shot in Connaught and other interesting things. There is even a holy well and a stone cross and a small building that was used as a lookout during World War 2. It’s a fun adventure for everyone!

This cool seaside spot is not far from Ballina. You can see huge mountains, piles of rocks in the water and arches made by the sea. It looks really awesome!

Ballina Arts Centre 

Apart from its history, Ballina is also known for its art and culture. You can enjoy exhibitions, plays, concerts and movies here in Ballina.

Ballina Arts Center has lots of events for all ages. You can watch traditional shows and even try different art forms like music, dance and visual arts. They have performed many famous people there.

One of the great things about the center is that it supports local and national artists. Plus, it’s in a beautiful building with great views of the River Moy! You can find out more on their website.

North Mayo Heritage Centre 

The North Mayo Heritage Center works hard to preserve the history of the area. It’s awesome Since 2019, they’ve been given a special award for this eco-friendly environment.

You can find this place at Enniscoe House, about 2 miles from Crossmolina in Mayo.

The center helps people trace their family history from North Mayo. They have a lot of records, more than 1.2 million of them! They also conduct many programs and workshops on culture.

Inside, there is a small museum with items from North Mayo. And don’t forget to visit the Victorian Organic Garden, one of the oldest gardens in the country.

Enisco House itself is truly beautiful, a large Georgian period mansion. You can have a great view of Lough Conn from there. You can walk all year round. And if you need a place for a meeting, they have a room you can use.

Right now, the center is closed to visitors, but will reopen in April 2024. Keep an eye out for more details!

Moi River 

In addition to visiting the traditional center, here you can have a lot of fun in Ballina! A great thing to do is to go fishing in the Moy River. Not very funny!

Moy River is famous for salmon. Whether you are a professional or just starting out, you can try fly fishing here! You can rent all the gear you need and local guides can help make your fishing trip a great one.

They can also tell you where to get a fishing license. The best time to catch salmon is when it rains, especially in July when there is a big salmon festival in Ballina.

The Ceide Fields  

The Ceide Fields will feel like stepping back into the Stone Age. Here you will find the oldest field systems in the world You will see ancient stone walls and tombs against stunning cliffs.

From the viewing platform, you will get the best view ever! On a guided tour, you’ll learn more about the history and see great audio-visual shows. It’s a great place to explore!

Surfing

Do you want to try surfing? Yes! That’s where 7th Wave Surf School can help! It is a friendly family-run school for all ages, so both kids and adults can have fun there.

Enniscrone has gentle waves which are great for beginners, and is only a 15 minute drive from Ballina. Instructors are all qualified and provide insurance and equipment. Your child can attend a surf camp, take lessons, or your family can rent gear and try it out!

Another option is Tonn Nua Surf School at Glosh beach. This is an absolutely beautiful beach on the Mullet Peninsula, It just 15 minutes from Belmullet Town. They have summer camps between July and August, so it can be a great opportunity for your child to learn to surf!

Ballina has a few things to enjoy, from wine tasting to surfing. Whether you love outdoor adventure, learning about different cultures or just want to relax, this charming city has something for everyone. So pack your bags and visit Ballina, Ireland. You will love its beauty and warmth and create memories that will last a lifetime.