Attymass in Irish Áit Tí an Mheasaigh is a picturesque village in north Mayo bound to the east by the Ox Mountains and to the west by the river Moy. It is also overlooked by Nephin and is home to an abundance of lakes and rivers which combined with the many hills and glens is why it is often referred to as the ‘Kilarney of the West’.
It has an ancient history and at the centre of the parish is Attymass village. Here you will find the world renowned Fr Peyton Memorial Centre.
This unique visitor centre was opened in 1998 in memory of Fr. Patrick Peyton who promoted family prayer worldwide. Fr.Patrick Peyton was born in Carracastle, Attymass on January 9th 1909 and died in the Los Angeles, United States on June 3rd 1992. Known throughout the world as ‘The Rosary Priest‘ his most famous saying was “The Family that prays together, stays together”. Fr Peyton preached to millions in the USA and the center is his lasting legacy, visitors can enjoy a free illustrated multi media talk about his life, or visit the shop and restaurant. The former Attymass priest is being considered for canonisation by the Roman Catholic church with Pope Francis declaring ‘The Rosary Priest’ Venerable in December 2017.
Attymass is an anglers and walkers paradise with its chain of lakes extending from Lough Brohly in Graffy to the north and Lough Carrakerribla in the south along with the mountain lakes and the fabulous river Moy. There is wonderful scenery at Glann Hill overlooking Rooskey Lough on a hill similar to Cork Screw Hill in Co. Clare. Glann hill at Cloughmore affords views of Attymass and the into the North Mayo area in general as far as Lough Conn and the spectacular Nephin mountain.
Attymass with its scenery and activities is well worth a visit it is located 6 miles east of Ballina 5 miles north of Foxford.
Six things to do in Attymass
- Visit the Fr. Peyton Centre and then learn about the life and work of the Rosary Priest Fr. Patrick Peyton.
- Listen to a Trad Concert and Seisiun with Bofield Ceili Band which take place during the summer months in July and August. The award winning Bofield Ceili Band stage a night of Irish Music, Song, Dance and Story-telling in the Fr Peyton Centre
- Enjoy an invigorating walk in the slopes and hills around the mountains – see below for information on the Attymass Loop Walks (all three start from the Fr. Peyton Centre).
- The Salmon laden River Moy which is known as the best river in Europe to catch Wild Salmon flows through the parish of Attymass, local licences are available in Carrowkerribla on the Church Road. There are also fishing opportunities in the four large lakes in the parish.
- Learn more about the heritage of the area. From the 13th Century Kildermot Abbey to Celtic Wedge Graves, the Currower Ogham Stone, famine graveyards and working Lime Kilns the area is a heritage gem.
- Visit the site of a pre-famine cottage from Caradoogan in the parish of Attymass which was carefully dismantled in 2002 and rebuilt stone by stone in New York where it supplies the centrepiece of a Famine Memorial.
