The Tóchar Valley is a beautiful area of rural communities stretching from Balla to Murrisk. Croagh Patrick has drawn pilgrims in their droves since pre-Christian times.
It still has a magnetic attraction and many of the faithful continue to climb barefoot, especially on Reek Sunday, the last Sunday in July. A small church at the summit marks where Saint Patrick spent 40 days in contemplation and prayer. This is the ultimate destination of the Tóchar Phádraig.
The Tóchar Valley is a beautiful area of rural communities stretching from Balla to Murrisk and includes all the following communities:
Aughagower
Balla / Manulla
Ballintubber
Ballyglass
Ballyheane / Errew
Belcarra
Clogher
Drummin / Brackloon
Killawalla
Mayo Abbey
Murrisk
Steeped in antiquity the unspoiled countryside is liberally sprinkled with churches, Celtic artefacts and historical sites.
The Tóchar Phádraig pilgrim route, which links these townlands and villages for a distance of 55 km, follows a section of the ancient chariot road of the Kings of Connaught which ran from Tulsk in Roscommon to Croagh Patrick, the holy mountain.
A wide varietry of tourism products are available throughout the valley.
These include:
Walks
Golf
Angling / Fishing
Abbeys
Heritage / History
Wildlife
Retreats and Reflection
Airports
Knock (30 minutes)
Galway (60 minutes)
Railway Stations
Claremorris
Manulla
Castlebar