Overview
Doohoma is a small Gaeltacht village situated on a narrow peninsula that extends into Blacksod Bay on County Mayo’s north-west coast. The settlement acts as a hub for six surrounding hamlets, including Crook na Mona, Bunnafully, and Tallaghan, and offers direct Atlantic vistas of Achill Island and the Mullet Peninsula. Recognised as a Wild Atlantic Way signature discovery point, the area is defined by its long, unbroken sandy strand – known locally as An Ceann Ramhar (Doohoma Head) – and its reputation among surfers, kite-boarders, and coastal walkers. Overlooking the same waters, Doohoma Golf Club provides a compact, volunteer-maintained links course that has become a favourite for golfers seeking an unpretentious, scenic round.
History & Community Spirit
Like much of Erris, Doohoma carries the physical and cultural marks of the 19th-century Great Famine. The population dropped from 455 in 1841 to 218 by 1851, and emigration quickly became a way of life. When local fishing and farming couldn’t sustain families, whole households travelled north each June to work the potato fields of Scotland. These seasonal labourers, known as tattie hokers, were so numerous that ships regularly moored off Doohoma Head to transport them across the Minch.
Community self-reliance has always been central to village life. After the famine, mass burials took place on local sandbanks. Decades later, in 1926, three hundred local men built a sod wall around the site, which Bishop James Naughton consecrated. When authorities repeatedly refused to fund access, over 100 volunteers cut a road to the cemetery in 1967; Mayo County Council finally tarred it in 1989. The economy later diversified with the 1972 founding of Eagle Isle Seafoods, which began exporting smoked wild Atlantic salmon, and the village was later profiled in an RTÉ documentary examining the lasting impact of emigration on local families. Designated a census town in 2016, Doohoma now records a population of 112, with a growing number of first- and second-generation returnees putting down roots.
What to See & Do
- An Ceann Ramhar (Doohoma Head) – A several-kilometre stretch of sand that earned a spot in The Irish Times list of the best places in Ireland to “go wild”. The beach is consistently ranked as a Wild Atlantic Way signature discovery point and remains largely uncrowded. Families can safely collect winkles, mussels, and limpets along the lower shore, while the open horizon provides excellent photography opportunities. (See also the dedicated page for An Ceann Ramhar.)
- Surfing and Watersports – The Atlantic swell produces a consistent beach break with both right and left-handers. Wave heights typically start around 1 metre and hold up to 2 metres or more, making it suitable for intermediate surfers. The flat-water sections of Blacksod Bay are equally popular for kite-surfing, sailing, wind-surfing, and stand-up paddle-boarding.
- Doohoma Golf Club – A compact 9-hole Par 3 layout that doubles into an 18-hole round. After completing the front nine, players move to a second set of tee boxes that offer a fresh approach to each green, bringing the total par to 54 over 2,328 yards. The course is fully mapped on the Hole19 app for GPS navigation, and a small practice area includes a driving net and short-game bunker. The volunteer-run clubhouse serves refreshments and maintains a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
- Coastal Ring Road – A 12-mile loop circles the entire peninsula, passing secluded coves, shell-strewn beaches, and panoramic pull-outs. The shifting light across the dunes, salt-marshes, and low hills inspired artist Paul Henry’s coastal paintings, and the route remains ideal for cycling, photography, or a quiet drive.
- Local Pubs and Provisions – The Sea Rod Inn (Barrett’s) and Tra Bui (Holmes’s) are the social heart of the village. Both serve traditional Irish food, stock local provisions, and host regular music sessions. The Sea Rod Inn also operates a fully licensed bar and lounge.
- Nature Walks and Birdwatching – The peninsula’s dune systems and wetland margins support a range of coastal wildlife. Walks along the strand and inland paths connect to the broader landscape of Ballycroy National Park, offering chances to spot wading birds, redshanks, and seasonal migratory species.
Nearby Attractions
Doohoma’s location makes it a convenient base for exploring north-west Mayo’s coastal highlights:
- Achill Island – A short drive across the bridge brings you to Ireland’s largest island, known for Keem Bay, Dolans Beach, and the Achill Sound coastline.
- Ballycroy (Wild Nephin) National Park – Roughly 30 minutes inland, this expansive reserve protects blanket bogs, raised bogs, and forest trails. The visitor centre provides excellent context for the region’s peatland ecology.
- Mullet Peninsula – The neighbouring landmass features Mullet Lighthouse, Mullet Head viewpoint, and a network of quiet coastal roads ideal for cycling or a scenic drive.
Practical Information
- Access – The peninsula connects to the mainland via a narrow isthmus at Geesala, the setting for J.M. Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World. The primary approach follows the L1206 local road, approximately 10 km from the main regional route.
- Parking – Free car parking is available beside the beach and near the sports complex adjacent to the strand. Space is generally ample outside peak summer weekends.
- Accommodation – The Sea Rod Inn offers nine ensuite bedrooms with central heating, a private sitting room with panoramic sea views, and full Irish breakfasts. Evening meals and packed lunches can be arranged in advance.
- Facilities – The golf clubhouse provides hot and cold drinks, while the driving net and practice bunker are open to course users. A local grocery store in the village stocks essentials.
- Navigation – Golfers should download the Hole19 app before arrival for accurate hole routing and scorekeeping.
- Seasonality – The golf course operates year-round, weather permitting. Surf conditions are most consistent from late spring through early autumn, though winter swells attract experienced boarders. Check local tide charts before planning beach walks or shellfish collecting, as low tide significantly expands the accessible shoreline.
Check tide tables before heading out for the best shellfish collecting, and book your tee time in advance during summer weekends when visiting golfers fill the fairways.