The Clew Bay Tourism Network is a voluntary group tasked with delivering the actions set out in the Clew Bay Destination & Experience Development Plan 2022 - 2026. The network is supported by Fáilte Ireland, Mayo County Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Udarás na Gaeltachta & South West Mayo Development Company and is chaired by Michael Lennon (Westport Woods Hotel) and Chris McCarthy (Achill Tourism).

Clew Bay, located in County Mayo is a distinctive horseshoe bay that stretches from Achill Island to Inishturk with a unique combination of islands and a backdrop of mountains that includes the iconic Croagh Patrick. This is a landscape that has attracted visitors and pilgrims for centuries, leaving many awestruck with its beauty and the harmonious interplay of land, sea and sky.

Tracks and trails cross the landscape offer the visitor an exceptional opportunity to experience the wildness of the area, to hike and cycle off-road for long distances, and to discover the stories of Clew Bay that stretch through time. The bay itself offers a wealth of adventure pursuits on and off the water and the bounteous nature of all the creativity in arts, crafts, music and food that Clew Bay has to offer today is all the more appreciated when the hardships of the past are sensitively revealed to our visitors. This is a region that has much to celebrate, and a story that touches all emotions.

Recognising the need for improved development and promotion of the area’s unique features to achieve increased international cut-through, Fáilte Ireland has developed a Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) for Clew Bay. This 5-year plan provides a shared vision and clear direction towards strengthening and growing the destination’s market share through the delivery of hero experiences that seek to maximise the key strengths of Clew Bay.

In addition to focusing on the visitor experience, this plan is equally cognisant of the need to consider the other elements of the VICE model which are foundational to this plan – Visitor, Industry, Community and the Environment. Getting the balance right is critical in building long-term sustainable tourism and is a core objective to the actions outlined.