Discovering the The Lost Valley
I'm not sure why it is, but the places that make the most impact and touch you most deeply are always the most difficult to write about.
I've been trying to string together words to adequately share our visit to The Lost Valley for a few weeks now. I read and re-read the entry in my journal from that day and it is filled with words like “timeless”, “amazing”, and “incredible”.
And yet, those words don't seem to do justice to the experience we had, the place we visited, or the people we met, as I try to share it here.
Finding The Lost Valley
Located in the farthest southwesterly bit of County Mayo as the mountains begin to drop toward the Killary Fjord, you'll find the Uggool (O-ghoul) Valley. There are many places along Ireland's west coast that claim remoteness as part of their charm but few can lay claim to directions that state ‘beyond the end of the road.' Indeed, there is one way in and one way out of The Lost Valley, a fact which played more than a little part in the valley's near timelessness and unchanged landscape.
Today Gerard Bourke and his wife Maureen take visitors on a walk through time, back into a valley so remote that it was rarely visited by the land owners, where potato ridges that date back to the famine still lie undisturbed, and where Gerard can stand in the cottage where his father, grandfather, and great grandfather were born.
Your Visit to The Lost Valley
The guided tour takes you along a green road that winds along the base of the mountains and provides a stunning view of Silver Strand and the ocean beyond. The natural beauty is astounding and Gerard allows you time to take it all in before you continue.
Traveling in Ireland Podcast: Episode 21- Gerard Bourke & County Mayo's Lost Valley
Carefully placed plaques show the location of visible landmarks- Diamond Hill and Kylemore Hill in Galway, Clare Island in the distant waters, Mweelrea Mountain to the east- all so near and yet nearly a world away from the remote valley.
Half way through the 5km walk you feel as though you've stepped back in time. Ruined famine cottages sit in the shade, overgrown by bracken and hazel trees. Undisturbed potato ridges lie fallow, no hint of life rising from them. A nearby mountain river falls over a picture perfect waterfall while sheep dot the valley below, their creamy wool beautiful against the many shades of green.
It's quite easy to get lost in the beauty even while hearing about the plight of the local cottagers.
Your tour ends in the very cottage where Gerard's father, grandfather, and great grandfather were born. Maureen greets you with tea and shares tales of daily living in this lovingly restored famine cottage.
Please note: prebooking is essential for a guided tour of The Lost Valley.
| Find lodging in nearby Westport at Booking.com OR Find a County Mayo B&B |
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RTE's Ear to the Ground Visits The Lost Valley
- Musical History Tour of Dublin with Fiona Dalton - October 3, 2024
- The National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park and the National Famine Way - October 3, 2024
- 5 Common Mistakes When Planning an Ireland Vacation - September 26, 2024
