Ross Port: Coast and History

Ross Port lies on the south shore of Broadhaven Bay and is part of the Erris Gaeltacht. The village combines a coastal walking trail with several historical perspectives: Rosdoagh Court Tomb points to prehistoric times, while Rossport House reflects 19th-century history. When choosing a holiday apartment, it is therefore helpful to first consider whether walking, the coast or local history will be the focus of your trip.

Walking the Rossport Walk

The Rossport Walk is an easy, 10-kilometre walking trail. It starts and ends at the Barr Thra crossroads. The estimated walking time is 2 hours and 20 minutes and may vary depending on conditions. The distance and time estimate give you a concrete framework for planning your day; the walking time remains a guide. The trail passes a tidal shore known for its cockles. A detour leads to an old pier built in 1891. The same route description thus brings together exercise, a coastal setting and a historic structure with a specific date.

A prehistoric monument and local history

Rosdoagh Court Tomb is also known as Rossport Court Tomb. It was built around 5,000 BC. The ruined central area is about 9 metres wide; 16 stones remain. The site lies above the point where the Glenamoy River flows into the Broadhaven estuary and looks out to sea. The surviving stones, the approximate width of the central area and the position above the estuary each provide a distinct point of reference if you are interested in Ross Port’s early history and landscape.

Rossport House was built by Samuel Bournes in 1832 and can be reached via the Rossport Walk. The Bournes estate had an industrial knitting and sewing school, which some tenants were able to attend. This offers a different historical perspective from the court tomb: here, the focus is on a 19th-century house and a school associated with the estate and its tenants. Ross Port is also connected with the story of five local people who went to prison in 2005 rather than allow a gas pipeline planned by Shell to cross their land. Together, these topics show how varied the village’s historical connections are.

County Mayo as a wider context

As a wider travel destination, County Mayo offers further cultural and walking themes. The National Museum of Ireland in Turlough Park hosts workshops, talks and guided tours throughout the year. Through objects, rare archive photographs and films, the museum conveys Ireland’s rural past. Croagh Patrick, also in County Mayo, has been a pilgrimage destination since pre-Christian times and stands 764 metres high. The main summit route starts in Murrisk on the Louisburgh Road (R335) and is 7 kilometres long, including the return journey. Distinct from this is the 59.9-kilometre Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail, which is planned as a three-day route and connects ancient monastic heritage with County Mayo’s mountain landscape and views of Clew Bay. The different distances and durations help distinguish a single day’s walk or hike from a multi-day tour.

This suggests a clear focus for your holiday apartment search: choose Ross Port if the Rossport Walk and local historical themes are to shape your trip. If you would also like to include Croagh Patrick or the museum programme, County Mayo can serve as a wider point of reference.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Newport, Coogue, Knock, Glencorrib, Murrisk, Claremorris, Sheean, Bellagarvaun.

For the wider travel overview: County Mayo.