Bus Hire in Ballina

Ballina is the largest town in County Mayo by population and sits at the tidal limit of the River Moy, one of the most productive salmon rivers in Europe. The town is divided between the old town on the west bank (around Cathedral Road and the market square) and the suburb of Ardnaree on the east bank, connected by several bridges over the Moy. Ballina is the centre of Ireland's salmon angling industry: the Ridge Pool in the town centre (a famous holding pool below Ballina Weir, where salmon congregate before migrating upstream) is one of the most photographed salmon fishing scenes in Ireland.

Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC) is 35 kilometres south-east via the N26 (approximately 35 minutes by coach). Sligo (60 kilometres north-east via the N59 and N17) is the nearest major city. Westport (55 kilometres south-west via the N58 and N60) completes the main triangle of north-west Mayo service centres. Foxford (20 kilometres south via the N26) has the Foxford Woollen Mills (a working mill producing Foxford blankets, with a heritage centre and visitor experience).

River Moy Salmon Fishing and the Ridge Pool

The River Moy is one of the most productive salmon rivers in Europe, with catches of 4,000 to 8,000 Atlantic salmon per season in a normal year. Ballina is the administrative centre of the Moy fishery: the Moy Fishery Office (on the Cathedral Road near the Ridge Pool) issues licences and beats for day or week angling on the river. The Ridge Pool (immediately below Ballina Weir, a 5-minute walk from the town centre) is the most famous holding pool on the Moy and one of the most significant Atlantic salmon pools in Europe -- fish congregate here before moving upstream, and the pool is active from the opening of the salmon season (February) through to September. Groups of angling clubs and fishing parties are a significant coach hire market in Ballina from February to September.

Belleek Castle and North Mayo

Belleek Castle (3 kilometres north-west of Ballina via the R314, approximately 10 minutes) is a 19th-century Gothic Revival castle on the River Moy above the tidal reach. Built in the 1820s for the Knox family, it is now operated as a hotel and restaurant with an armoury museum. The castle's situation on a wooded bluff above the river is scenic; wedding and corporate groups use the castle for events. The Killala Bay (10 kilometres north of Ballina via the R314 to Killala town and the coast) is a wide tidal bay with a magnificent beach at Enniscrone (Inishcrone, 25 kilometres north-east via the R294) and a round tower at Killala town (the tower that gave Killala its historical significance as the landing site of General Humbert's French expedition in 1798). Enniscrone has a Victorian seaweed bath house (Kilcullen's Bath House, a traditional Atlantic seaweed spa, still in operation).

Ceide Fields and the North Mayo Heritage Corridor

Ceide Fields (60 kilometres west of Ballina via the R314 along the north Mayo coast, approximately 1 hour) is the largest Neolithic monument complex in the world: a system of field walls, dwelling sites, and megalithic tombs preserved beneath the bog on the north Mayo plateau, dated to approximately 3700 BC. The OPW visitor centre (a glass pyramid at the site entrance) provides interpretation and guided tours of the visible field walls. The site is at the edge of the highest sea cliffs on the north Mayo coast (120 metres). Belmullet Peninsula (Mullet Peninsula, 80 kilometres west via the N59 and R313, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes) is the most remote peninsula in Connacht, with the Belmullet/Erris area regarded as the most exposed Atlantic landscape in Europe. The north Mayo coast circuit (Ballina to Ceide Fields to Belmullet and back) is a full-day scenic excursion.

What Bus Hire Costs in Ballina

As a rough guide, a minibus (up to 19 seats) in Ballina runs around 380 to 720 EUR per day, a midi-coach (around 35 seats) around 530 to 1,020 EUR per day, and a full-size coach (49 to 55 seats) around 680 to 1,290 EUR per day. Ballina is a smaller market than Sligo or Galway, with strong seasonal demand from angling groups (February to September) and summer touring groups for the north Mayo coast and Ceide Fields. The final figure depends on your route, the date, and how long you need the vehicle and driver. We confirm a fixed price with no hidden charges, so send your details for a free quote.

Services Available in Ballina