Overview
Rosserk and Moyne are two of the best-preserved Franciscan friaries in the west of Ireland, and they stand within a few kilometres of each other on the River Moy. A 14 km route – part of the wider Western Way – strings them together with two more monastic ruins between the market town of Ballina and the coastal village of Killala. It runs on two off-road greenway sections joined by a quiet country lane, following the River Moy the whole way, and none of the sites charges a penny. If you only have time for one, make it Rosserk.
The monasteries
The ruins here were built as the mendicant orders spread across Connacht in the 13th to 15th centuries. Each has its own character.
- Rosserk Friary (around 1440, some sources say 1460): Founded by the Joyce chieftains for the Third Order of St Francis, so it served a community of married men and women, not just friars. It’s the pick of the four – look for the climbable bell tower and a rare double piscina crowned with carved angels.
- Moyne Abbey (founded 1455, consecrated 1462): Built by the powerful de Burgo family for the Franciscans, it ran as a provincial school with a library. The cruciform church, tower and cloisters survive well, along with a refectory built over a stream that ran beneath it.
- Augustinian Abbey, Ballina: These ruins sit right beside the still-active St Muiredach’s Cathedral, medieval stonework next to ongoing worship.
- Priory of the Holy Cross at Rathfran (1274): A Dominican house further inland. Like the others, it was sacked in the late 1500s, most brutally by the English governor Sir Richard Bingham. Later OPW stabilisation has kept the structures safe to visit.
A short walk from Moyne Abbey leads to Tobar Mhuire, a holy well built in 1799 – a later devotional layer laid over the medieval landscape.
The route
The greenway falls into three stages, each with a different surface and pace. It starts at Belleek Woods, outside the soccer club on the edge of Ballina.
Stage 1 – Ballina to Belleek (off-road)
A 2.5 km run on traffic-free woodland paths through Belleek Woods, past a 19th-century lime kiln, an old famine wall, a stone quay and a mausoleum. Flat, and fine for all ages.
Stage 2 – Ballina to Moyne (on-road)
Roughly 6.5 km on a quiet country lane. Traffic is light, and this is the most rewarding leg for stonework and river views, passing Rosserk Friary with a short detour out to Moyne Abbey. Cyclists should stay alert at the junctions.
Stage 3 – Moyne to Killala (off-road)
The final 5 km returns to dedicated greenway, ducking under an old railway bridge and finishing in Killala. Flat and bird-rich. From here you can walk to Killala’s round tower and cathedral, or push on to the Ross, Lacken and Kilcummin beaches.
Stage summary
| Stage | Distance | Surface | Difficulty | Walking | Cycling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballina – Belleek | 2.5 km | Mixed off-road | Easy | 60 min | 20 min |
| Ballina – Moyne | 6.5 km | On-road lane | Moderate | 60–90 min | 20–40 min |
| Moyne – Killala | 5.0 km | Off-road | Easy | 50–90 min | 20–30 min |
Wildlife
Belleek Woods runs right down to the river, and the estuary fringe brings in kingfishers, herons, swallows and wintering waders, with the odd otter along the quieter stretches. Late spring and early summer are the nesting season, so keep your distance and your noise down.
Practical information
- The catch at Moyne: Moyne Abbey has no dedicated parking – roadside parking is often prohibited – and you reach it by crossing private land on a right-of-way, over a stile. It isn’t suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Rosserk and the Ballina abbey are far easier.
- Bike hire: Ballina Bike Hire on Quay Road stocks road and electric bikes, with delivery across Mayo and parts of Sligo.
- Dogs: Welcome on all stages and in Belleek Woods. Keep them leashed near nesting birds and on the on-road section.
- Seasonal conditions: Open year-round, but the off-road sections turn muddy after heavy rain, so bring waterproof footwear. May to September gives the most reliable weather and the longest daylight.
- Fishing: The River Moy is renowned for salmon and sea trout, with guided fly-fishing trips out of Ballina; the famous Ridge Pool runs through the town, with the season roughly early February to September.
Getting there
- By car: Park free at the Belleek Woods trailhead (off the N59) or in Killala near the harbour.
- By public transport: Irish Rail serves Ballina station, with connections to Dublin and Westport; local Bus Éireann services link Ballina and Killala – check current timetables.
Book bikes a few days ahead on summer weekends, and start early to catch the morning light on the abbey stone before the day warms up.