Downpatrick Head: how to visit Dún Briste, Ireland’s most spectacular sea stack
Downpatrick Head is one of the wildest spots on the Wild Atlantic Way: cliffs almost 40 metres high, the Atlantic crashing below and a huge tower of rock cut off from the coast since 1393.
- With map
- Dún Briste
- Wild Atlantic Way
- Short walk
- Road trip
- Where it is: Downpatrick Head is on the north coast of County Mayo, about 5–6 km from Ballycastle, in the west of Ireland.
- Must-sees: the sea stack of Dún Briste (45 metres high), the Poll na Seantainne blowhole and the World War II ÉIRE 64 sign.
- The walk: about 500 metres from the car park to the viewpoint, around 10 minutes on foot along a grassy path.
- Getting there: by car. It’s about 35 minutes from Ballina and 1 hour 20 minutes from Westport.
- Where to eat: in Ballycastle, 10 minutes away; try the seafood chowder and the smoked salmon.
- Sea stack height45 m
- Walk10 min
- Cut off in1393
- EntryFree
What is Downpatrick Head and why it’s worth visiting
Downpatrick Head is a headland on the north coast of County Mayo, Ireland, famous for Dún Briste, a sea stack rising out of the ocean just off the cliffs. It’s one of those places that look like another planet: the waves pound the rocks, the wind never stops and the cliffs reveal colourful layers of rock formed around 350 million years ago.
Downpatrick Head is also one of the Signature Discovery Points of the Wild Atlantic Way, the 2,500 km coastal route along the west of Ireland. So if you’re planning a trip to Ireland, it’s a stop you can’t miss. It’s free to visit, the walk is short and the views are some of the most impressive in the country.
Dún Briste from the drone, the sea stack off the headland and Laura at the Cliffs of Moher, another stop on our Wild Atlantic Way road trip.
Map of Downpatrick Head and the surrounding area
This map shows Downpatrick Head, the car park and the places we recommend nearby, such as Ballycastle and Céide Fields, so you can plan your route around north Mayo.
Downpatrick Head step by step
This is how we planned our visit. To explore the headland at a relaxed pace you’ll need between an hour and an hour and a half, and if you add lunch in Ballycastle you’ve got the perfect morning in north Mayo. The whole route is on foot, along an easy, flat grassy path.
10:00 · First stopCar park, church and St PatrickLeave the car in the free car park, about 500 metres from the viewpoint. Right at the start of the path you’ll see the church ruins, the holy well, the stone cross, the statue of St Patrick and the art installation Spirit of Place.
10:15 · 5 min on footPoll na Seantainne and the ÉIRE 64 signHead towards the edge of the headland to the Poll na Seantainne blowhole, with a viewing platform and railing: on stormy days the sea roars up from below. A little higher up you’ll find the lookout post from World War II and the sign that reads ÉIRE 64.
10:30 · 10 min on footDún Briste viewpointThe big moment: the 45-metre sea stack that broke away from the headland in 1393. Walk slowly around the edge, always well back from the drop, to see it from different angles and spot the colourful rock layers and the seabirds.
12:00 · 10 min by carLunch in BallycastleEnd your visit in Ballycastle, the nearest village: a seafood chowder or smoked salmon with homemade brown bread at Mary’s Cottage Kitchen or June’s Café, and live music in the evening at Healy’s.
What to eat in the area →
Dún Briste: the sea stack that broke away from Downpatrick Head in 1393
Dún Briste, meaning “the broken fort” in Irish, is the star of Downpatrick Head. It stands about 45 metres high, and is 63 metres long and 23 metres wide. It was once part of the headland, but in 1393 a huge storm cut it off from the mainland, probably when a natural arch collapsed.
According to the old annals, the people living on the part that was cut off had to be rescued with ropes. In fact, the remains of two stone buildings can still be seen on top, studied by a team of archaeologists who arrived by helicopter in the early 1980s.
Legend tells a different story. A druid chieftain called Crom Dubh lived on the headland and refused to convert to Christianity. So St Patrick struck the ground with his staff, the land split in two and Crom Dubh was left stranded on top of the sea stack.
Today only seabirds such as gulls and puffins live on top of Dún Briste. From the viewpoint you get a great view of the different coloured rock layers that make up the stack.
Poll na Seantainne, the Downpatrick Head blowhole
Very close to the viewpoint is Poll na Seantainne, a huge hole in the grass connected to the sea by an underground channel. It was formed by the erosion of softer rock and has a viewing platform with a railing. On stormy days, Atlantic water surges up and sprays from the bottom.
This place also has a sad history. During the 1798 Rebellion, a group of about 25 men, Irish rebels and French soldiers, hid on a ledge at the bottom of the hole. However, the tide came in before they could put the ladders back, and they died there.
The ÉIRE 64 sign and the lookout post
At the top of the headland you’ll see a small stone hut. During World War II it was a lookout post, and next to it you can still see the sign ÉIRE 64, written in white stones on the ground. It told aircraft that they were flying over Ireland, a neutral country during the war. Today the lookout post is also a good spot for birdwatching.
Church, holy well and statue of St Patrick
According to tradition, St Patrick founded a church at Downpatrick Head, which is where the headland gets its name. Today you can see the ruins of a later church, a stone cross, a holy well and a statue of St Patrick put up in the 1980s.
- Garland Sunday
On the last Sunday of July, Mass is held on the headland and many pilgrims come here.
- Spirit of Place
Next to the church is a 2014 art installation that is part of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Downpatrick Head on video
This is how we experienced Downpatrick Head and shared it on Instagram. Save the reel for your next trip to Ireland and follow us at @viajeros_curiosones.
Watch our Downpatrick Head reel on Instagram
How to get to Downpatrick Head
The easiest way to get to Downpatrick Head is by car, as public transport in north Mayo is very limited. The headland is signposted from the Ballycastle road and has a large car park about 500 metres from the viewpoint.
- From Ballycastle: about 5–6 km, less than 10 minutes by car.
- From Ballina: about 35 minutes.
- From Westport: 1 hour 20 minutes.
- From Knock Airport: Ireland West Airport is 1 hour 15 minutes away.
- From Dublin: about 3.5 hours by road, so it’s best to include it in a west coast road trip.
If you’re driving the Wild Atlantic Way, we recommend hiring a car. You can compare prices on Discover Cars. Remember that in Ireland you drive on the left.
The walk to the Dún Briste viewpoint
A grassy path of about 500 metres leads from the car park to the cliff edge in around 10 minutes. It’s an easy, flat walk, although the ground is very mossy and gets quite muddy after rain. Along the way you’ll pass the church, the statue of St Patrick and the Poll na Seantainne blowhole.
Take your time and walk around the headland to see Dún Briste from different angles. At sunset the light on the rock layers is beautiful.
Tips for visiting Downpatrick Head
- Stay away from the edge: the cliffs are unfenced in many places and the ground is uneven.
- Watch out for the wind: it can be very strong, especially if you’re with children.
- Wear waterproof shoes: the grassy path gets muddy easily.
- Wrap up warm: even in summer it’s chilly on the Mayo coast and the weather changes fast.
- Don’t leave anything visible in the car: there have been break-ins at the car park.
- Go in May or June: the headland is covered in pink flowers and it’s a good time to see seabirds.
What to see near Downpatrick Head
Downpatrick Head fits perfectly into a road trip around north Mayo. These are the places you can combine on the same day:
- Céide Fields
About 17 minutes by car. One of the oldest known Neolithic field systems in the world, with a visitor centre.
- Ballycastle
The nearest village, perfect for a bite to eat or a coffee before or after your visit.
- Moyne Abbey
The ruins of a Franciscan abbey about 3.5 km from Killala.
- Benwee Head
About 47 minutes away. A challenging walk with spectacular views over Broadhaven Bay.
- Belleek Castle
About 35 minutes away, near Ballina, with guided tours.
What to eat at Downpatrick Head and Ballycastle: traditional food from Mayo
Mayo is the county with the longest coastline in Ireland, so seafood rules here. After a windy walk on the headland, what you really want is something warm. These are the traditional dishes you have to try in the area:
The must-trySeafood chowderA thick, creamy soup of fish, shellfish and vegetables that you’ll find in almost every pub on the west coast. It’s served with soda bread or brown bread and butter.
Home cookingIrish stew and Achill lambThe Irish stew, Ireland’s national stew with potatoes, is perfect for a rainy day. Mayo is also known for Achill mountain lamb, raised free-range by the sea.
From the AtlanticSmoked salmon, oysters and musselsSmoked salmon is a local speciality: Ballina has several smokehouses that use peat or oak. The oysters are eaten raw with lemon, soda bread and a pint of stout.
Afternoon treatScones and home bakingScones with jam, apple or rhubarb tart and homemade jams: the classic treat in Ballycastle’s cafés. And if you like cheese, look out for Carrowholly, Mayo’s own cheese.
Where to eat near Downpatrick Head
Mary’s Cottage Kitchen, on Ballycastle’s main street, is a 19th-century stone cottage with an open fire and a terrace with sea views. Open since 1997, it’s known for its homemade soups, smoked salmon, crab meat and cakes. Close by, June’s Café serves soups, quiches, hearty breakfasts and a chocolate brownie famous throughout the village.
If you fancy a coffee with a view, the Stella Maris, a former coastguard station by the sea, serves coffee and cake in its conservatory. And for a pint with live traditional music, drop into Healy’s.
Tours along the Wild Atlantic Way
If you’d like to explore more of Ireland’s west coast with a guide, these are some of the top-rated Civitatis tours from Galway, such as the Wild Atlantic Way and Connemara tour. Booking through our links helps us keep the blog going at no extra cost to you.
Plan your trip to Downpatrick Head
- Car hire: essential for driving the Wild Atlantic Way. Compare prices on Discover Cars.
- Tours and guided visits: book tours along Ireland’s west coast with Civitatis, with free cancellation on most activities.
- Save when you book: with iGraal you get back part of what you spend on hotels, flights and rentals, plus a welcome bonus.
- Travel insurance: the European Health Insurance Card doesn’t cover cancellations or lost luggage. We travel with Heymondo and as a reader you get a 5% discount.
- Sports and outdoor clothing: jackets, caps and sunglasses for your hikes and trips from SIROKO. Use code VIAJEROS10 for an extra 10% off.
- Airport VIP lounges: wait for your flight in comfort, with food, drinks and Wi-Fi, in a VIP lounge with VIPLounges. Code VIAJEROSCURIOSONES saves you 5%.
More getaways in Europe
If you’re planning your trip, here’s our 10-day Ireland road trip, with Downpatrick Head as one of the stops. If you love coastal scenery and charming villages, don’t miss our Cotswolds road trip, in the English countryside. And if you fancy something different, you’ll love our 3-day cycling trip through Flanders. You’ll find more ideas in our European destinations and travel deals on our discount codes page.
Frequently asked questions about Downpatrick Head
Where is Downpatrick Head?
Downpatrick Head is on the north coast of County Mayo, in the west of Ireland, about 5–6 km from Ballycastle. It’s about 35 minutes by car from Ballina and 1 hour 20 minutes from Westport.
What is Dún Briste?
Dún Briste is a sea stack about 45 metres high that broke away from Downpatrick Head during a storm in 1393. Its Irish name means “the broken fort”.
How much does it cost to visit Downpatrick Head?
Visiting Downpatrick Head is free. It’s an open area you can visit at any time of day.
How long do you need at Downpatrick Head?
It’s about 500 metres, around 10 minutes on foot, from the car park to the Dún Briste viewpoint. An hour gives you plenty of time to see the sea stack, the Poll na Seantainne blowhole and the church.
How do you get to Downpatrick Head?
The best way to get to Downpatrick Head is by car. The nearest airport is Ireland West Airport Knock, 1 hour 15 minutes away, and it’s about a 3.5-hour drive from Dublin.
Is Downpatrick Head dangerous?
The cliffs are unfenced in many places and the wind can be very strong. Stay away from the edge, keep to the path and take extra care with children.
Where can you eat near Downpatrick Head?
In Ballycastle, 10 minutes by car: Mary’s Cottage Kitchen and June’s Café for food, and Healy’s for a pint.
What traditional food should you try in County Mayo?
Seafood chowder, smoked salmon, oysters, Irish stew, Achill lamb and scones with jam.
Save this guide and let us know on Instagram if you’re visiting Downpatrick Head on your trip to Ireland.
Follow us on InstagramMore destinations in Europe
