The Road to Clare Island from Louisburgh – Travel & Ferry Information

The journey from Louisburgh, County Mayo, to Clare Island doesn’t involve a traditional road in the conventional sense, as Clare Island is situated approximately 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) off the coast in Clew Bay. Instead, the "road" to Clare Island is a scenic combination of a short drive followed by a ferry crossing, offering a unique and picturesque travel experience.

Starting in Louisburgh, a charming small town on the southwest corner of Clew Bay, you’ll head west along the R335 regional road for about 6 kilometers (roughly 3.7 miles). This short drive takes you through a landscape framed by the rugged beauty of County Mayo. To the north, the serene waters of Clew Bay unfold, dotted with its famed islands, while the imposing presence of Croagh Patrick looms to the east. Southward, the Sheeffry Hills and the mighty Mweelrea, Connacht’s highest mountain, rise against the horizon. Wild Atlantic coast Ireland images with the Atlantic Ocean’s wild coastline lies to the west, hinting at the adventure ahead. The road itself is a narrow, winding route typical of rural Ireland, passing through open blanket bog and offering glimpses of the region’s natural splendor.

Your destination on this leg is Roonagh Pier, a small harbor just west of Louisburgh. The drive takes about 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic and weather, and ends at the pier’s car park, where you’ll leave your vehicle (as the ferries to Clare Island are passenger-only). From here, the "road" becomes a ferry crossing. Services like the Clare Island Ferry Company, operated by the O’Grady family, or O’Malley Ferries depart from Roonagh Pier multiple times daily, with schedules varying by season—more frequent in summer, weather permitting. The ferry ride itself is a swift 10-20 minutes, depending on the vessel. The fast ferries, such as those run by Clare Island Ferry Co., can make the trip in as little as 9-10 minutes, while slower boats take closer to 20.

As you cross the Atlantic waters of Clew Bay, the journey transforms into a visual feast. Clare Island’s mountainous silhouette emerges ahead, guarding the bay’s entrance with its dramatic cliffs and rolling hills. The surrounding seascape includes views of smaller islands, Achill to the north, and the distant Mayo mainland. The ferry docks at Clare Island’s harbor on the southeastern side, near Granuaile’s Castle, once home to the legendary pirate queen Grace O’Malley.

In total, the trip from Louisburgh to Clare Island—combining the brief drive and ferry crossing—takes roughly 25-40 minutes, though it’s wise to allow extra time for parking and boarding. This "road" is less about pavement and more about the transition from mainland tranquility to island isolation, blending Mayo’s coastal charm with the allure of the open sea.

View fine art photography of the road to Clare Island here.

Explore More Wild Atlantic Way Prints

Return to the full collection for more landscapes from Louisburgh, Silver Strand, Croagh Patrick, and Clare Island.