Louisburgh is located on the south-west corner of Clew Bay. The Irish name, Cluain Cearbhán, means Meadow of Buttercups.
Originally a planned town, it retains many of the eighteenth century features in style and scale. The town was constructed in 1795 by the 3rd Earl of Altamount, later 1st Marquess of Sligo, John Denis Browne of Westport to house Catholic refugees who fled sectarian conflict in the north of Ireland. He named the town Louisburgh in memory of his Uncle - Captain Henry Browne - who fought on the British side, against the French, in the 1758 battle of Louisburg. Louisburg (or Louisbourg in French) was a fortress on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. As a result of the British victory a Louisburgh regiment was formed that his Uncle was a captain in.
It is the focal point of an area some 450 square miles in extent, stretching from Killary Fiord to the South, to the Owenree River to the North, and from the coast to the Erriff valley watershed in the East. All of this landscape is designated as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Mayo County Development Plan, and calls have been made for its designation as a 'Special Amenity Area'. It contains over 700 known archaeological monuments, and 20 areas of scientific interest.
Four of the West's most important developing fisheries are located in the area, Carrowniskey, Delphi, Erriff and Bunowen, part of the last being a salmon fishery. Pictured is the Bunowen River.
Mayo's coastline accounts for 16.8% of the total Irish coast, and many are Blue Flag beaches. Three of these are located in the Louisburgh area - Carramore, Old Head, and Bertra, and have been rated amongst the best in Europe.