Overview
Bellacorick (Irish: Béal an Choireag, also recorded as Béal Átha Chomhraic meaning “ford mouth of the confluence”) lies in the heart of Erris, north‑west County Mayo. Though the townland covers just under 3 km², it is surrounded by the Bellacorick Bog Complex, a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) that protects a mosaic of blanket bog, alkaline fens, dystrophic lakes and northern Atlantic wet heaths. The landscape is punctuated by three striking human‑made features: the 19th‑century Musical Bridge, the skeletal remains of a mid‑20th‑century peat‑fired power station, and Ireland’s first commercial wind farm.
Name and Early History
The name Bellacorick derives from the Irish Béal Átha Chomhraic, describing the place where the Owenmore River meets a smaller stream. In the mid‑19th century the area hosted a general store and a mail‑coach changing station owned by Arthur Rose, a postmaster and merchant from Belmullet. A stable for the horses stood opposite the store. The property changed hands several times – Bourke, Reilly, O’Boyle, Rowland, Ferguson and Gaughan families – before a shooting lodge was built between the public house and the bridge. The lodge later became the local post office, run for a period by a Mr Flynn; the service has since moved to Kilsallagh.
History & Landscape Evolution
The Musical Bridge
Designed around 1820 by civil engineer William Bald, the stone bridge spans the Owenmore River with four elliptical arches. Its 400‑ft parapet is built from coping stones that emit distinct notes when struck, allowing visitors to play a simple scale. An inscription on the bridge reads:
“By order of the Grand Jury, Right Hon. Denis Browne, Foreman. Designed and built by William Bald, Civil Engineer, 1820.”
Contemporary accounts called it the largest and best‑built bridge in Mayo.
Peat‑Fired Power Station
Following a 1949 parliamentary request by James Kilroy TD, Bord na Móna erected a turf‑fired power station in the late 1950s. The first boiler‑turbine entered service in November 1962, the second in January 1963. At its peak the plant burned roughly 300‑450 000 tonnes of peat per year, generating 170 million kWh and employing over a hundred staff. The 290‑ft cooling tower dominated the skyline until the plant’s closure in the early 2000s; the chimney was demolished in 2007. After closure, the cut‑away bog was sold to the Department of Forestry and over 1 000 acres of trees were planted, reshaping the landscape.
Wind Energy Pioneer
In 1992 the site became home to Ireland’s first commercial wind farm: 21 turbines with a combined capacity of 6.45 MW, owned by Renewable Energy Ireland (major shareholder Bord na Móna). The turbines benefit from an average wind speed of 7.28 m s⁻¹ at 30 m height and supply electricity to roughly 4 500 households. Annually they avoid the emission of 20 000 t CO₂, 120 t SO₂ and 85 t NOₓ. A 400 kV Grid West Electricity Transmission Scheme, approved in 2011, is planned to link the farm more directly to the national grid.
The Bog Complex (SAC 001922)
Designated as a Special Area of Conservation in the early 2000s, the Bellacorick Bog Complex safeguards:
- Active blanket‑bog communities with the classic hummock‑hollow pattern
- Alkaline fens and natural dystrophic lakes
- Northern Atlantic wet heaths dominated by Erica tetralix
Protected species include the rare Geyer’s Whorl Snail (Vertigo geyeri) and Marsh Saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus). Conservation objectives focus on maintaining the integrity of these habitats and their associated invertebrate fauna.
What to See & Do
Play the Musical Bridge
Bring a small stone and either roll it along the parapet or tap each slab to hear the bridge’s natural scale – a simple yet memorable interaction with history.
Explore the Power‑Station Ruins
The concrete foundations and the remaining cooling‑tower base offer a poignant glimpse into mid‑century industrial heritage. Photographers love the contrast between the stark structures and the surrounding peatland.
Wind Farm Walk
The sleek turbine silhouettes are visible from the Bellacorick Bog Loop, a 13 km flat circuit that follows former bog‑railway tracks. Interpretive panels explain how wind energy supplanted peat‑based power.
Bellacorick Bog Loop (13 km)
- Trail markings: purple way‑markers start at the former Bord na Móna entrance off the N59.
- Floral carpet (May‑June): bog cotton, sundew, butterwort, eyebright, milkwort, tormentil, silverweed and yellow iris create a colourful tapestry.
- Panoramic mountain views: on clear days you can see Nephin, Nephin Beg, Slieve Carr, Benmore and Slieve Feeagh.
- Wildlife: look out for skylarks, meadow pipits, occasional hen harriers and dragonflies. The rare Geyer’s Whorl Snail is also present.
Birdwatching
Bellacorick is a recognised bird‑watching site. Recent records (2026) include hoopoe, purple heron, European serin and occasional sightings of ring‑necked duck. The open bog and fens attract waders and passerines, making the loop a rewarding walk for birders of all abilities.
Transport
- Road: Turn off the N59 at the former Bord na Móna gate. A small car park with a few spaces is available; there is no formal visitor centre.
- Public transport: Bus Éireann route 446 links Bellacorick with Crossmolina, Ballina, Bangor Erris, Belmullet and the Mullet Peninsula. There is one service each day in both directions, including Sundays; an extra Friday‑evening service runs from Ballina.
- Nearest town: Bangor Erris, a short drive away, offers cafés, a post office and additional parking.
Practical Information
- Location: Bellacorick, County Mayo, Ireland (GPS approx. 54.15°N, 9.30°W).
- Parking: Limited free parking at the former Bord na Móna entrance; arrive early in peak season.
- Facilities: No cafés or toilets on site – plan accordingly. Picnic benches are scattered near the bridge and at the loop’s midpoint.
- Best time to visit: Late spring to early summer for peak wild‑flower display; autumn offers dramatic light over the bog and the turbines.
- Safety: The terrain is generally flat but can be soggy after rain; wear sturdy waterproof shoes and stay on marked paths.
- Guided tours: Local heritage groups occasionally run guided walks focusing on the bridge, industrial history and ecological significance – check the Erris tourism website for dates.
- Accessibility: The loop is flat and suitable for most walkers, but the boardwalk sections can be uneven when wet.
Bellacorick is a rare meeting point of natural wonder and human ingenuity, offering visitors a chance to hear history echo across a living landscape.