Céide Fields, Connacht Travel Guide

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Explore the world's oldest field systems at Céide Fields in County Mayo, where Neolithic history meets dramatic Atlantic coastline along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Discover the Céide Fields, an extensive Stone Age monument in County Mayo, Ireland, featuring the world's oldest known field systems dating back nearly 6,000 years. Explore the remains of ancient farms and dwellings beneath a wild blanket bog, set against dramatic cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The award-winning visitor center offers insights into the lives of Neolithic farmers and the unique ecology of the area.

A brief summary to Céide Fields

Glenurla, Co. Mayo, F26 PF66, IE
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Monday 10 am-5:15 pm
Tuesday 10 am-5:15 pm
Wednesday 10 am-5:15 pm
Thursday 10 am-5:15 pm
Friday 10 am-5:15 pm
Saturday 10 am-5:15 pm
Sunday 10 am-5:15 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Céide Fields.

Wear sturdy footwear and weather-protective clothing, as the terrain can be uneven and the weather conditions challenging.
Take the guided tour to fully appreciate the history and significance of the site; it's easy to miss the subtle details without context.
Allow at least 2-3 hours to fully experience the visitor center exhibits and the outdoor site.
Check the opening hours in advance, especially if visiting outside of peak season (mid-March to early November).
Enjoy the café at the visitor center for homemade treats and stunning clifftop views.

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Explore Céide Fields on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Céide Fields, mapped for you.

Getting There

Car

From Ballina, follow the R314 road northwest for approximately 34 km. The Céide Fields visitor center is well signposted. Turn left onto the access road, and you'll find ample parking at the visitor center. Parking is free. From Ballycastle, follow the R314 north-west and you will reach the site after 8km.
Public Transport

Take Bus Éireann route 446 from Ballina to Belderrig. From Belderrig, it is approximately 3.2km to the Céide Fields visitor center; consider a taxi or walking. McGraths Coaches operates route 436 from Ballina to Céide Fields during the summer months, Monday to Friday. The bus departs Ballina at 13:15 and arrives at Céide Fields at 14:00, returning at 16:00. A single fare on Bus Éireann from Ballina to Belmullet (passing near Céide Fields) costs approximately €10-15.

Discover more about Céide Fields

The Céide Fields, located on the north coast of County Mayo, offer a captivating journey into Ireland's Neolithic past. This archaeological site preserves the most extensive Stone Age field systems in the world, dating back to around 3500 BCE. Unearthed from beneath a sprawling blanket bog, the Céide Fields reveal a complex landscape of stone-walled fields, ancient homes, and megalithic tombs, providing a unique window into the lives of early farming communities.The award-winning visitor center, with its distinctive pyramid shape, offers an immersive experience. Exhibits detail the geology, botany, and human history of the area, including a 4,300-year-old Scots pine preserved in the bog. A guided tour takes you across the bog to see the remains of the field system, with interactive experiences that allow you to probe beneath the peat and feel the ancient stone walls. The center's viewing platform, perched on dramatic cliffs 110 meters above the Atlantic, offers breathtaking scenery.The story of the Céide Fields began in the 1930s when a local schoolteacher, Patrick Caulfield, noticed unusual piles of rocks while cutting turf. His son, archaeologist Seamus Caulfield, later recognized the significance of these stones as remnants of a vast Neolithic farming landscape. The fields demonstrate that a large, organized community of farmers lived and worked here, clearing forests and cultivating the land. Cattle rearing was their main economy, but they also grew grains and were skilled craftspeople. The site is on the tentative list to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.