Cheap flights to Knock, Ireland
Take a cheap flight to Ireland West Knock Airport, ideally located for travelling along one of Ireland’s most stunning and unspoilt areas – the west coast. Within hours of landing you’ll be asking yourself how such visceral beauty is so close at hand. From the foothills of Ben Bulbin in north county Sligo, all along the coast to the homely city that is Galway, you will marvel at the natural beauty and ambience of the west.
If you take a flight to Ireland make sure you sample some of the local dishes on offer. Soda bread, bacon and cabbage, and Colcannon (Potatoes and Cabbage) are a few dishes you will find. Or for a hearty main course try a traditional Irish stew which consists of lamb or mutton, potatoes, onions, carrots and parsley. For seafood lovers be sure to visit in September for the Galway International Oyster festival where a celebration of Oysters, Guinness and craic is had by all!
We offer cheap flights to Ireland West Knock Airport from Birmingham up to 6 times a week from March to October.
Find Knock's best:
- Gem
Gem
Best hidden gem:
Clare Island
Located at the mouth of Clew Bay, Clare Island’s tranquillity and raw beauty has amazed visitors for years. Made famous by the “Pirate Queen” Grace O’Malley and captured in song by The Saw Doctors, with only 130 permanent residents the island is the epitome of “unspoiled”. An overnight stay is recommended.
Where: Clare Island, 6.4km off the Mayo coast at Louisburgh, 82km south-west of Knock.
Website: http://www.clareisland.info/
Best hidden treasure:
Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle, Co Roscommon
Because it’s not centrally located, Lough Key Forest and Activity Park remains something of a hidden treasure and when you arrive there, you’ll wonder aloud at its natural beauty. The lakeland setting in County Roscommon is a beautiful location, steeped in a rich history stretching back to the 12th century, while the spectacular views, abundant wildlife, historic buildings and evocative islands will take your breath away. While not affecting the natural beauty of the park, Lough Key has moved into the 21st century with plenty of activities and pursuits to keep even the most adventurous on their toes. Take a trip along the treetop canopy walk, travel through the 19th century servant tunnels, hike through the forest and parkland trails or take in the Adventure Play Kingdom – you’ll find something for everyone at Lough Key, including an on-site caravan and camping park. Open all year round, check for opening hours, which change from season to season.
Where: Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Rockingham, Boyle, Co Roscommon, 43 miles north-east of Knock, Tel: +353 (0)71 9673122
Website: www.loughkey.ie- Sport
Sport
Best adventure sports:
Achill Island, Mayo
From its rolling hills sweeping down to its sandy shores, Ireland’s largest offshore island is an adventure lover’s paradise. Hill-walking, rock-climbing, surfing, scuba diving and kayaking are just some of the many activities on offer, with a stunning panorama thrown in.
Where: Achill Island, 96.5km west of Knock.
Website: http://www.achilltourism.com/
Best golf course:
Carne Golf Course, Belmullet, Mayo
You may have to traipse across some long and winding roads to get there, but if you’re a golf lover you won’t be disappointed with Carne, a natural links course.
“Carne is, quite simply, the most stunning ‘discovery’ I have made in golf,” enthused the esteemed Irish Times golf writer, Dermot Gilleece. Prepare to be similarly amazed.
Where:Carne Golf Course, Carne, Belmullet, Mayo, 109km north-west of Knock, Tel: +353 (0)97 82292.
Website: http://www.carnegolflinks.com/
Best indoor venue:
Mayo Leisure Point, Castlebar, Mayo
We won’t lie – it does rain from time to time in the west of Ireland. While some might relish taking to the Atlantic coast in the wild weather, for those looking for a more carefree – and drier – day indoors, look no further than Mayo Leisure Point in Castlebar. Let the younger kids run amok in Nokey’s Adventureland, leave the older ones to have their pick of bowling, video games, pool, snooker and Laser Q2000, while the adults can relax at the pool in Castle Leisure Club, at Kachina Spa or in the Hog’s Heaven pub. All the family can come together to enjoy a film at the impressive eight-screen Mayo Movie World and all these outlets are located under the one roof. Located in Castlebar, the county town of County Mayo, Mayo Leisure Point will be easily within range of most of the west of Ireland.
Where: Mayo Leisure Point, Castlebar, Mayo, 25 miles west of Knock, Tel: +353 (0)94 9025473
Website: www.mayoleisurepoint.ie- Walking
Walking
Best scenic walk:
Croagh Patrick climb, Westport, Mayo
Follow in the footsteps of St Patrick, who spent 40 days and 40 nights on the mountaintop named in his honour. It’s not just a religious pilgrimage, as the views from the top of the “Reek”, as the mountain is known locally, are spectacular. Some brave souls choose to climb the rocky mountain in their bare feet, to literally follow in the footsteps of St Patrick who made the trek sans appropriate footwear. But you needn't worry, it’s not mandatory!
Where: Croagh Patrick, 9.6km west of Westport, Co Mayo, 70km south-west of Knock.
Website: http://www.westporttourism.com/
- History
History
Best historic site:
The grave of Yeats, Drumcliff, Sligo
One of the most important literary figures in the 20th century, poet William Butler Yeats is buried at the foot of the eye-catching Ben Bulbin mountain, 8km north of Sligo town. The Nobel Prize winner’s headstone is a simple one, known best for the famous epitaph “Cast a cold eye On life, on death. Horseman, pass by”
Where: Grave of Yeats, Drumcliff, Sligo, 64km north of Knock.
Website: www.sligotourism.ie
Best historic site:
Céide Fields, Ballycastle, Mayo
If you like history, you will love the Céide Fields at the northern edge of county Mayo. Situated high above the wild Atlantic Ocean, the Céide Fields – meaning ‘fields of the flat-topped hill’ in Irish – contain the oldest known stone-walled fields in the world, dating back nearly six millennia. The Céide Fields has helped to give great insight into the lives of Neolithic Stone Age Ireland farmers and the site’s multi-award-winning visitor centre and guided tours help to make the experience all the more real. You’ll get a true feel for how wild conditions were if you’re there on a windy day as the mighty Atlantic pounds against the cliffs below, and the scenery is only bettered by the feel of history about the place. Be aware that that the centre is only open daily from Easter to October, but bookings can be arranged in the winter months.
Where: Céide Fields, 8km north-west of Ballycastle, Mayo, 69km north of Knock, Tel: +353 (0)96 43325
Website: www.ceidefields.comBest stately home:
Westport House, Westport, Mayo
The wonderfully appointed 18th-century Westport House estate on the west coast of Mayo is one of Ireland’s most historic houses open to the public. It was built and is still maintained by the Browne family, direct descendants of the famous Grace O’Malley, the Pirate Queen. Westport House is build upon the foundations of one of the many castles Grace O’Malley had in the 16th century. The superb parkland setting means that in the middle of Westport town you’ll find idyllic tranquility and magnificent views overlooking Clew Bay, Achil and Clare Islands, and Ireland’s holy mountain, Croagh Patrick. The estate combines the Georgian charms of the house with plenty of activities in the grounds. Children will find their own nirvana in the Pirate Adventure Park with enough fun and entertainment that it’ll be hard to prise them away. The estate is open all year round, but opening hours for various parts of Westport House vary depending on the time of year, so check the website in advance.
Where: Westport House, Westport, Mayo, 63km south-west of Knock, Tel: +353 (0)98 27766
Website: www.westporthouse.ie- Music
Music
Best live music:
Matt Molloy's, Westport, Co Mayo
Molloy’s pub is known far and wide as a magnet for lovers of Irish traditional music. Publican Matt is a member of legendary Irish traditional band The Chieftains and will give you a warm welcome. Impromptu music sessions take place virtually every night.
Where: Matt Molloy's, Bridge Street, Westport, Co Mayo, 61km south-west of Knock.
Website: http://www.mattmolloy.com/pub_about.com/pub_about
Ireland West Airport Knock - (NOC)
www.irelandwestairport.com
Location
4 miles from Charlestown in County Mayo.
Public transport
Taxis are available outside the terminal building. A public bus
service departs regularly to Charlestown. For more information on
this service tel: 0035 309671800. www.buseireann.ie
Check-in
Check-in opens 2 hours prior to flight
departure time. Check-in on international flights to and from and
over mainland Europe will close promptly 40 minutes before the
scheduled departure time. For flights within the UK, Republic of
Ireland and Jersey check-in close promptly 30 minutes before the
scheduled departure time.
Please note: A Development Fee of €10 is charged to all departing passengers from Ireland West Airport Knock aged 12 years and over. This is a service charge which the Airport charges for the use of its facilities and as a contribution toward infrastructure developments, including passenger and airline services, ongoing maintenance and operation of this airport. The services include terminal facilities, safety and security, airline services such as air traffic control, navigational aids, runway systems, aircraft parking, and fire services.
European Emergency Number
Did you know 112 is the European emergency number? It is reachable from fixed and mobile phones, free of charge, everywhere in the EU.