A haunting roadside memorial and one of the west of Ireland's most dramatic drives: a plain stone cross beneath Mweelrea mountain, marking where hundreds of starving people died on the road during the Great Famine of 1849.
A plain stone cross engraved 'Doolough Tragedy 1849' stands by the road opposite Glenullin Lough, commemorating those who died after being refused relief at Delphi Lodge in March 1849. It is a quiet, moving stop; dogs are welcome and it suits children.
About halfway along the lake another stone is engraved with the words 'To Commemorate The Hungry Poor who walked here in 1849 and walk the Third World today', plus a quote from Gandhi and a dedication to South Africa, 1994.
The R335 through the valley is a Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point, winding between Mweelrea Mountain and the Sheeffry Hills. The road is wide enough for two cars and has several pull-ins for photos of the three dark valley lakes.
Just south, Aasleagh Falls on the River Erriff has its own car park and a short walk to a viewpoint, and Leenane at the head of Killary Fjord is a handy stop for lunch or craft shops.
The steep, boggy ascents start from near the top of Doo Lough: Mweelrea, Connacht's highest peak at 814m, and the 13km Sheeffry Mountains Loop. Bring waterproof boots and a map, and only go in settled weather.
Load the interactive map to explore this place location.
