Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series is coming to Downpatrick Head Ballycastle - Visit North Mayo

North Mayo is set to host a leg of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2021 on September 12th.

For their fifth visit to Ireland since 2012, the world’s best cliff divers will find themselves competing from a brand new launchpad on the sheer cliffs of Downpatrick Head. After three stops in the rough waters of Inis Mór, and more recently a showing in Dublin Bay, the Red Bull World Series heads to the north coast of County Mayo where the Atlantic waters will once again test these talented athletes to their limits.

Downpatrick Head © Gareth McCormack
Downpatrick Head © Gareth McCormack


With two dives directly off the cliff, the 12 men and 12 women will get a chance to really connect to the purity of the place and display their sport in its most natural form, before returning to the platforms for their more difficult diving manoeuvres. As they prepare to leap from the vertiginous cliffs, the divers will be treated to the most fantastic view of the nearby Dún Briste (Broken Fort) sea stack, a landmark which may well provide them with a valuable reference point as they spin and twist their way aesthetically towards the water.

Dún Briste sea-stack, Downpatrick Head, Ballycastle, County Mayo, Ireland
Dún Briste and Downpatrick Head, Ballycastle, County Mayo, Ireland – Image Fáilte Ireland


Downpatrick Head is one of two Signature Discovery Points on the Wild Atlantic Way in Mayo and hosts the 2014 Spirit of Place, a new installation to commemorate the natural power and richly-layered historical tales of the site. Other notable nearby landmarks include a statue of Saint Patrick erected in the early 1980’s, which replaced a previous one erected in 1912, and the ruins of a church he founded.

The “Spirit of Place” installation entitled “The Crossing” at Downpatrick Head, Ballycastle, County Mayo
The “Spirit of Place” installation entitled “The Crossing” centered around the blow-hole known as ‘Poll na Seantainne’ at Downpatrick Head along the Wild Atlantic Way. The installation explores the multi-layered relationship between landscape, culture and authentic travel as it relates to Downpatrick Head, North Mayo’s “Signature Discovery Point” on the Wild Atlantic Way. This installation is by renowned architect, Travis Price, and his team from Catholic University, Washington. Pic: Michael Mc Laughlin

While the Stags of Broadhaven to the west and high stunning cliffs to the east complete the scenery, it will be up to the 24 cliff divers to leave their own mark on the history of this breath-taking spot.

The Stags of Broadhaven, County Mayo, Ireland
The Stags of Broadhaven, County Mayo, Ireland

Watch the Red Bull Cliff Diving promotional video: