Short walk to the waterfall
Start at the free car park at the trailhead and follow the purple arrows on a 2.2 km loop through the woods to the falls and back, roughly 30 to 45 minutes.
Tourmakeady Waterfall
4.8 (505)
About
A mossy cascade hidden deep in the native woodland of Tourmakeady's People's Millennium Forest, tucked between Lough Mask and the Partry Mountains in a Mayo Gaeltacht village.
Things to Do
Millennium Forest nature trail
The waterfall sits in the Coillte-owned Tourmakeady Millennium Wood, where 35 hectares of conifer forest were replaced by native woodland planted in 1999 — oak, ash, hazel and Scots pine now shelter squirrels, foxes, badgers, pine martens and rich birdlife.
Longer walk from the village
For a fuller outing, begin at the community centre in Tourmakeady and follow the purple signs, passing O'Toole's shop, for a 4 km trail taking 1 to 1.5 hours.
Lakeside path and the trout lake
A gentler 1.5 km offshoot leads along the shore of a small man-made lake stocked with brown trout, rejoining the main trail before returning to the car park.
Viewpoint above the falls
Just beyond the waterfall, the highest point of the trail opens up views over the whole woodland and the nearby lake — worth the steep climb.
Tourmakeady Audio Trail
A free geosite audio guide links the village, the waterfall and the Deircs viewpoint, telling the geology and heritage of the area in English, Irish, French and German.
Food and a pint in the village
Round off the walk at Paddy's Bar & Restaurant on the lakeshore (Sundays 1–8pm), Máire Luke's Bar, Restaurant & B&B, the Lough Mask Inn with the Bia na Locha takeaway (Fri–Sun evenings) or Caifé Glas coffee at the hall.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: No set opening hours — the trail and waterfall are accessible 365 days a year, at any time of day or night.
- Parking: Free car park at the trailhead, about 1 km up the forestry road from the village. Parking is free; there is no paid parking.
- Food: Village options include Paddy's Bar & Restaurant (lake views, Sundays 1–8pm), Máire Luke's Bar, Restaurant & B&B, the Lough Mask Inn with the Bia na Locha takeaway (Fri–Sun evenings), O'Toole's pub, and Caifé Glas coffee at Tourmakeady Hall (Mon and Thu–Sun, 10am–4pm). More choice in Ballinrobe, Cong and Westport, 15–40 minutes away.
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