Clew Bay is an amazingly beautiful place in County Mayo -- 365 islands in one bay! And how kind of God to put a mountain right next to it so that one can admire the scene from above without the need for a microlight. However, if God was responsible for putting Croagh Patrick there, I don't think he can have had much of a hand in putting all the loose stones and shingle down the sides of the mountain. It's quite a serious climb (or at least it was to us -- one rather unfit bloke and his wife in well-chosen canvass shoes...), as every time you take one step forward you seem to slide back at least three-quarters of the distance. Some Catholics apparently climb it barefoot; I would hope that medical professionals would check their brains as well as their feet on their return. The place is bursting with history and folklore, much of which is explored in the Visitor's Centre which I'm supposed to be reviewing. The Centre was quite useful -- modern, bright, well-organised (or at least it was when we went several years ago now); but the main attraction was undoubtedly the mountain and the beautiful bay. All in all, the whole area is well worth a visit. read more