Crossmolina Travel Guide

City Town in County Mayo near Lough Conn

Lough Conn’s shoreline frames Crossmolina; anglers and birdwatchers arrive for pike fishing, quiet lakeside walks, peatland scenery and pubs that trade county news over stews and brown bread.

Main image
Costs
Budget: $70-110 USD per day
Affordable B&Bs and pub meals; car recommended for access.
Safety
Very safe small Irish town
Low crime; straightforward rural Irish safety.
Best Time
Best months: May-September
Summer months ideal for fishing and outdoor festivals.
Time
Weather
Population
1,044
Infrastructure & Convenience
Limited bus service; town center is walkable.
Popularity
Quiet town popular with anglers and countryside visitors.
Known For
Lough Conn, fishing, angling festivals, peat bogs, traditional pubs, walking trails, Gaelic sports, rural landscapes, birdwatching
Crossmolina sits beside Lough Conn, long associated with salmon and eel fishing traditions.

Why Visit Crossmolina? #

Close to Lough Conn, Crossmolina appeals to anglers, birdwatchers and anyone seeking quiet rural Ireland. The lake and surrounding wetlands support brown trout and salmon fishing while miles of shoreline and peatland attract migratory birds. Visitors also enjoy traditional pubs with live music, local craft fairs and the town’s links to Gaelic heritage, making it a mellow base for exploring County Mayo’s lakes and coastline.

Top Things to Do in Crossmolina

All Attractions ›
Don't Miss
  • Crossmolina town centre - Small market town with historic streets, local shops and friendly cafés to explore.
  • St. Patrick's well and local churches - Historic wells and parish churches reflecting the area's religious heritage and local traditions.
  • Lough Conn angling beats - Known salmon and trout fishing waters with accessible banks and boat hire options.
Hidden Gems
  • Local peatland and nature walks - Short boardwalk trails through nearby peatland habitats rich in bog plants and birds.
  • Community heritage displays - Small local exhibits and family-run heritage centres detailing Crossmolina's social history.
  • Rural farm cafés - Farm-based cafés offering home-baked goods and views across pastoral countryside.
Day Trips
  • Lough Conn shores - Expansive lake with fishing, birdwatching hides and quiet picnic spots around the shoreline.
  • Bartragh Island and Mullet Peninsula - Coastal peninsula offering long sandy beaches, dunes and Atlantic surf within driving distance.

Best Time to Visit Crossmolina #

Crossmolina has a cool, oceanic Irish climate with mild summers and damp winters. Late spring to early autumn offers the best outdoor conditions for fishing and scenic drives.

Summer
June - August · 12 - 19°C (54 - 66°F)
Pleasantly mild with long daylight and good fishing; frequent showers still possible, so run flexible plans and a waterproof jacket.
Autumn
September - November · 7 - 14°C (45 - 57°F)
Turning leaves, quieter lanes and reliable salmon runs - enjoyable for anglers and photographers, though expect blustery, often wet days.
Winter
December - February · 1 - 8°C (34 - 46°F)
Grey, rainy months with strong Atlantic winds; atmospheric and empty, so focus on cosy pubs, museums, and sturdy boots for blustery walks.

Best Time to Visit Crossmolina #

Climate

Crossmolina's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1156 mm/year), wettest in November.

Best Time to Visit
JuneJulyAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
27°
Warmest Month
-5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

124 mm
Rainfall
5.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.7h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.5h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

94 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
13.9h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
14°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

75 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
15.8h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

62 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
16°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

68 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
16.9h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

62 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
11° 18°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

68 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
16.4h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

60 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 18°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

88 mm
Rainfall
4.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
14.7h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
16°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

106 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (125 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
13°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

125 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.3h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (135 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

135 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.3h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (128 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

38 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

128 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.1h daylight

How to Get to Crossmolina

By Air
By Train & Bus

How to Get Around Crossmolina #

Crossmolina is a small Irish market town that’s easy to explore on foot; most services and pubs are clustered around the main street. A car is useful for reaching Lough Conn, surrounding countryside and neighbouring towns. Regional bus services link Crossmolina with larger centres, but frequencies are limited compared with urban areas; taxis are available but may need advance booking at quieter times. Cycling is an option for short trips in fair weather.

Where to Stay in Crossmolina #

Budget
Crossmolina / Ballina - €40-80/night
Crossmolina has a few B&Bs and guesthouses; budget travellers also find more choices in nearby Ballina and Westport.
Mid-Range
Ballina / Castlebar - €80-140/night
Mid-range hotels are best found in Ballina or Castlebar; Crossmolina itself has small guesthouses rather than larger boutique hotels.
Luxury
County Mayo / Ballina - €150+/night
There are no high-end resorts in Crossmolina; luxury travellers typically base in larger nearby towns or choose country-house hotels in County Mayo.

Where to Eat in Crossmolina #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Crossmolina's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Chinese

Nightlife in Crossmolina #

Nightlife is centred on a handful of pubs and community venues where live traditional music appears on occasion. There’s no late-night club scene; social life is mainly pub-based and family-friendly.

Shopping in Crossmolina #

Shopping in Crossmolina is practical rather than tourist-focused: supermarkets, hardware and a selection of independent shops meet everyday needs. Specialist shopping requires travel to larger nearby towns such as Ballina or Foxford.

Nearby Cities #