Overview
Bilberry Lake sits in the rural village of Islandeady, County Mayo, just off the N5 road that links Castlebar and Westport. It is a modest, unpretentious body of water framed by a patchwork of pasture, mixed woodland and low hills that roll gently toward the iconic silhouette of Croagh Patrick. Rather than a manicured park, the lake feels like a quiet corner of the countryside, making it a reliable spot for a slow walk, a family picnic or an afternoon spent casting a line. The setting is particularly striking in autumn, when the surrounding alder and birch trees turn the shoreline into a wash of gold and russet.
History & Legend
The village name Islandeady comes from the Irish Oileán Éadaígh, and two competing stories explain its origin. The first suggests that early settlers lived on a small island in the water (now the site of the old cemetery) and washed their clothes (éadaigh) in the surrounding shallows. The second, and more widely told version, links the name to Saint Eiden (or Aidan), a 13th-century holy man who is said to have lived on the peninsula surrounding the lake and founded a church on its shore.
That church survived the turbulent penal era only as a roofless ruin. In the 1990s, local efforts restored the stone walls, stabilising the structure so visitors can still walk among the stonework that once echoed medieval prayers. The lake also features in a longer tradition: local legend holds that Saint Patrick preached on its banks in 440 AD while travelling to Croagh Patrick. This connection to early Irish Christianity is still honoured today; the nearby St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Islandeady added a 2009 extension named “St Aidans Room” specifically in reference to the old lake ruin.
What to See & Do
- St Eiden’s Church ruins – The stone remnants sit directly on the water’s edge. The 1990s restoration has kept the walls standing, but the interior remains open to the sky. It’s a dramatic, photogenic spot, especially when morning mist clings to the surface.
- Old Islandeady Cemetery – A short walk from the lake, the cemetery sits on a gentle rise that provides clear, panoramic views of Croagh Patrick and the surrounding townlands. The gravestones, some centuries old, offer a quiet glimpse into local family history.
- Lakeside walks – A narrow, unpaved track circles much of the shoreline. The path winds through alder and birch trees and is wide enough for strollers. Families often use the walk to spot ducks, swans and the occasional otter track in the soft mud.
- Birdwatching – The lake and its marshy edges support a range of wading birds, and kingfishers are a regular sight if you keep your eyes on the reed beds. Early morning and late afternoon offer the best light and the most active wildlife.
- Picnic clearings – Several grassy patches near the water provide natural spots for a packed lunch. There are no formal benches or tables, so bringing a ground mat is recommended.
Fishing at Bilberry Lake
For decades, Bilberry Lake was a popular stocked trout fishery, managed by the Bilberry Angling Club and famous for the annual McConville Cup competition. When the supplying hatchery closed, the lake transitioned to a self-sustaining coarse fishery. Today it holds a healthy population of pike, perch and a smaller number of native brown trout.
Pike are the main target and tend to hold close to reed-lined shallows and around the small bays that cut into the shoreline. Local anglers favour a few specific stretches:
- Hayes’s Bay – A shallow inlet where smaller pike often congregate.
- The “Pins” – A line of marker rods indicating a shallow reef; pike frequently hunt along its edge.
- German Shore to the graveyard – A long stretch of shoreline where fish are regularly spotted.
- Pumphouse area – Near the outlet leading to Lough Lannagh, ideal for trolling with spoons or plugs.
Artificial lures, silver spoons and soft plastics work well, and a quiet approach near the vegetation usually yields the best results. Under Irish angling regulations, a state licence is not required for pike or coarse fishing, but you should check with Inland Fisheries Ireland or local tackle shops to confirm whether a local permit is needed. Catch and release is strongly encouraged to maintain the lake’s natural balance. Boat hire and local ghillie services can be arranged through Windermere House B&B, located about a mile away on the N5.
Practical Information
Bilberry Lake is freely accessible to the public with no admission charge. Parking is available in a small lay-by adjacent to the lake and at the entrance to the old cemetery. Both areas are unstaffed and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Because the site is part of a natural landscape rather than a managed park, there are no formal opening hours; it is open year-round, day and night.
The walking track is unpaved and can become muddy or slippery after heavy rain, so sturdy footwear is advisable. Water levels can rise significantly during wet spells, occasionally narrowing the path. The lake is easily reached from the N5 by following signs for Islandeady and turning onto the narrow country road that leads directly to the parking area. Castlebar and Westport are each roughly a ten-minute drive away, making it a convenient stop for a half-day excursion.
For the best experience, visit in late spring or early autumn when the pike are most active and the surrounding foliage is at its most colourful. If you plan to photograph the ruins, aim for the first hour after sunrise when the mist typically lifts off the water, leaving the stone walls sharply defined against the lake.