Photo: Bartek Rybacki and Mayo North Tourism ©

Ballycastle (Baile an Chaisil - meaning town of the stone ring-fort) is a village on the North West coast of Ireland in County Mayo, located approximately 26km from Ballina. Located five miles west of the village is the Céide Fields - the most extensive Stone Age field systems in the world. The road here runs close to the magnificent cliffs of Céide which are 360 ft high.

The sea-stack known as 'Dún Briste' can be seen at Downpatrick Head approx. 3 miles north of the village - and Céide Caost Atlantic Run will take you right onto the headland to overlook this breath-taking feature.. You’ll also pass by the blowhole known as 'Poll na Seantoinne' (Hole of the Old Fire) which has a subterranean channel to the sea and is one of many such blowholes located along the North Mayo coast.

Meeting Points

Meeting point and number collection: Ballycastle Community Hall, Ballycastle, Co. Mayo. Eircode: F26 W180

Race Start Line: Céide Fields Visitor Centre, Glenurla, Ballycastle, Co. Mayo. Eircode: F26 PF66

Getting to Ballycastle:

By Plane:  to Ireland West Airport (80km) Shannon Airport (220km), or Dublin Airport (265km)

By Ferry:  to Rosslare, Dublin, Cork or Larne.

By Road:  R314 from Ballina. Co. Mayo

There are also sporadic public transport options from Ballina.