There's plenty to do in Mayo this Christmas

The particular way the days fell this Christmas brings its advantages. Many of the visitors to the west for the season will not be heading back to work and life until the 5th January. That means that there is almost a week of the glorious break to go. That feels great, especially for those who are escaping the hustle and bustle of big city life.

But there is a danger in it too. For as Benjamin Franklin said, both fish and visitors stink after three days. Now of course we all know that no west of Ireland people visiting their loved relatives can annoy them in such a way after such a short time. Not at all. Never happened. Not here, no way.

But notwithstanding the unlikelihood of this malodour manifesting in the west of Ireland, it might do no harm at all for people to get out of the house, at least for a good part of the daylight hours. This will prevent even the possibility of that metaphorical stink from arising.

What to do with those hours? There is no end of choice. If you have been away from Mayo for some time, this is your short guide to making sure you fall back in love with your county, while ensuring you do not fall out with your relatives.

First off, there are plenty of places to go for a walk that amounts to more than going around your local block. A proper walk has the double advantage of getting out of the house and doing something about the excesses of recent days. The walk you choose depends on your level of ambition, but also whether you intend to make it something you do in your day or you make the day of it.

There are plenty of options for either. You can have a great walk around Belleek Woods. While those in Ballina of course need no lesson on this, it is highly recommended to anyone from other parts of the county as a really splendid place to spend some time. Any of the cafés in the town would be glad for a visit from you after.

For those around Castlebar, Lough Lannagh is lovely though in a more functional sort of way. You arrive, you walk, you finish up, you go do something else. On a cold, clear day it is a bracing walk, but in a way that leaves you feeling invigorated.

If in Westport, Westport House and its grounds provide a graceful backdrop for a walk, though the Brackloon Wood walk is more suitable if you fancy something a bit wilder. If the south of the county is your playground, there are plenty of nice walks around Cong, though Clare Lake in Claremorris is also an excellent - and popular - choice. If you have the bike with you, and you get a clear day, this is great weather to tackle the Great Western Greenway, but you might want someone to pick you and your bike up at the end.

If you feel like sea air, Ross Strand is a great choice, and a stroll around Killala after - especially if you don’t know it well - will add to your day. Of course if you really want to blow off cobwebs, there is Carrowniskey beach as the pick of your options in Louisburgh, but any of the beaches in Erris or Achill will do the job also. Check the tides for some of them! Enniscrone will of course never let you down.

If you fancy climbing, the best thing to do this time of year is be safe. If you are reasonably fit, and the day is reasonably fine, by all means climb the Reek. But go in good time, don’t bring your dog, wear proper footwear, and make sure someone else knows where you are.

For those who prefer a drive, there are so many places to recommend. The drive from Annagh Head as far as the viewing spot for Eagle Island in Erris is a truly glorious spin. The view over to Eagle Island, if you haven’t seen it before, is worth the journey alone. Bring binoculars if you have them.

The drive along the roads where you can see the other Annagh - Annagh Island - and over to Inishbiggle is equally interesting, if more gentle. The roads are narrow but there is very little traffic.

The north coast through Belderrig into Ballycastle - Downpatrick Head just a short way from there - and on to Lacken Strand is truly splendid. A favourite drive of mine is to go through the mountains at Drummin before landing out at Doolough. If you don’t know these routes, take them very gently, especially the Sheeffry Pass outside Drummin.

But if you want a safe bet for a beautiful drive, you head for Achill. It really is a magnificent place all year round. The Atlantic Coast drive - no matter how many times you do it - will take your breath away, literally. On your way there, if you haven’t taken this road already, swing left at Mulranny and enjoy the circular route to Achill around the Corraun peninsula. There are parts of that journey so spectacularly beautiful that you could burst out laughing looking at them. The view of Clare Island from this side is truly majestic. Take it nice and slow and you will have an amazing day.

If the rain doesn’t allow you to enjoy the outdoors, you can spend a lovely few hours in the National Museum of Country Life in Turlough, or in the Jackie Clarke in Ballina. You can visit Ballintubber Abbey or view some wonderful art at the Ballinglen Arts Foundation in Ballycastle. The new Solas Centre in Eachléim is a great way to learn about some of the history of the Mullet Peninsula and its offshore islands.

In short, there is plenty to do if you want to get out of the house for a while. You could also of course just go and visit a few neighbours. Whichever and whatever you do, by the time you are back, the fire will be on and you can have a nice chat about your adventures over the course of the day in front of it. And there will be no fear of Benjamin Franklin’s warning coming to pass, even if you were to stay for three weeks.