Killala

The village

Locals call it Cill Ala. That translates to “the mottled church.” The village sits in County Mayo, just north of Ballina. A railway line used to run from Dublin to Ballina, stopping here along the way. That old track still marks the connection to the town to the south. West of the main square lies Townsplots West, known locally as Enagh Beg. You'll find a number of ancient forts there. The 2016 census of Ireland counted a population of 562. The village sits within a civil parish of the same name.

The old church country

Saint Patrick has a long history here. Killala was the seat of an episcopal see for several centuries. The physical proof is in the stones. A 12th-century round tower stands in the village. Next to it is the 17th-century Cathedral Church of St Patrick. Walking through the village means passing both buildings on the way to the bay. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Killala, known in Latin as Alladenis, is one of the five suffragan sees in the ecclesiastical Province of Tuam. It covers the north-western part of County Mayo and the Barony of Tireragh in County Sligo. This diocese defines the wider country, while the see represents the older history.

The bay country

The village sits at the head of Killala Bay. The River Moy runs out to the Atlantic here. This is where the bay country meets the town country. Think of the water as the village’s front garden. It includes the bay, the river, and the headlands. The light on the water is usually best in the evening. Many people use Killala as a base for the bay and the Moy valley. A morning walk is common, followed by time on the bay in the afternoon.

Practical

Killala is north of Ballina, at the head of Killala Bay. You will find the round tower and the cathedral in the village. Use the area as a base for the bay and the Moy valley. Visit the church country in the morning. Spend the afternoon on the bay.