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Inishbiggle - Bull's Mouth Loop
Acaill, Co. Mayo
Free to visit
Inishbiggle is a small island situated between the northeast of Achill Island and the mainland off the coast of County Mayo. The island is accessed by boat from Gubnadoogha at Ballycroy or Bullsmouth on Achill.

Inishbiggle is a small island situated between the northeast of Achill Island and the mainland off the coast of County Mayo. The island is accessed by boat from Gubnadoogha at Ballycroy or Bullsmouth on Achill.

The island is only 2.6 km2 in area – and is home to about 20 people. The main activities are farming (sheep and cattle) and fishing. The little Holy Trinity Church on the island has an interesting history. Constructed in the early 1900s (in a time of strict Church divisions) it was built exclusively for the use of the Protestant people on the island - Inishbiggle is the only Irish island that has a Protestant church of its own. Almost exactly one hundred years later (2003), Inishbiggle set a headline for ecumenism in Ireland, when the church was rededicated to serve both the Church of Ireland and the Roman Catholic communities.

A-B. Starting from the mapboard at the slipway at Bull’s Mouth, follow the red arrow along the roadway. After 500m pass a roadway on your right and (after 100m) another on your left. Pass the Post Office on your right and (300m later) you reach a crossroads. You will be returning to this point towards the end of the loop. For now, proceed straight ahead.

B-C. The loop now joins another loop which starts and finishes at the Gubnadoogha pier on the Ballycroy side of the island - this is marked with green arrows. Continue to follow the roadway past the schoolhouse (on your left) and a roadway (on your right). After 1km you reach the island’s Church at a crossroads. The loop turns left here - but you might like to take a short trip to the beach which is 100m straight ahead.

C-D. From the church, the loop ascends gently and levels out to pass a laneway to a house (on your left) before turning left at a 3-way junction. Another 300m takes you to a T-junction where the green loop turns right toward the Gubnadoogha pier. You turn left here. [Note: if you have the time you might enjoy the trip to the Gubnadoogha pier - allow 30mins out and back to this point.]

D-A. Follow the red and green arrows along the roadway to reach a house at a left bend. Turn left and after 50m pass a sandy roadway on your left. After 200m pass a roadway on your right and descend to reach the crossroads from where you began the loop at B above. The green loop turns left here - but you turn right and make your way back to the trailhead (1km).

Trail details

Type:
Walking Trail
Location:
Inishbiggle Loops
Grade:
Easy
Format:
Loop
Length:
3.80km
Ascent:
30m
Dogs allowed:
Yes
    Time:1 hour
    Nearest town start:Mulranny
    Start point:Bull's Mouth Pier
    Finish point:Bull's Mouth Pier
    Waymarking:Red arrow on white background
Contact details
Inishbiggle, Irska, Co. Mayo, Ireland
Leave no trace
  • Plan ahead and prepare
  • Be considerate of others
  • Respect farm animals and wildlife
  • Travel and camp responsibly
  • Leave what you find
  • Dispose of waste properly
  • Protect nature from fire
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