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

• Partry / Kilkieran

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

• Pilgrimages

Access to the Tóchar Valley

Airports

• Knock (30 minutes)

• Galway (60 minutes)

• Sligo (60 minutes)

Railway Stations

• Claremorris

• Manulla

• Castlebar

• Westport