Erris in Focus
Erris in Focus
In the 16th century the province of Connaught was divided into subdivisions known as ‘Baronies’, to facilitate the collection of taxes and rent to be paid to the Queen of England. Mayo was divided into ten baronies, one of which was Erris, in the northwest of the county. The Erris area stretches from Ballycroy in the south, to Ceathrú Thaidhg in the north, east to Bellacorick and west to include the Mullet peninsula.
The name Erris derives from two possible origins - the Irish 'Iar Ros' meaning 'western promontory', or the old Irish word 'Iorras' meaning a border or land on the margin of the sea or lake.
Erris is an area of over 210,000 acres, much of which is mountainous blanket bog, and an extensive sea coast along its west and north boundaries. The Erris coastline, bordering the wild Atlantic Ocean, has some of the most beautiful sea cliffs and imposing headlands in Ireland, interspersed with golden sandy beaches, from where the next stop is the east coast of America.