After pulling over at the Killary Fjord Viewpoint, we followed the road around the head of the fjord for the last stop of our third day in Ireland: Aasleagh Falls. In this post we cover where the waterfall is, where to find Aasleagh Falls parking with a van, how close you can actually get, its role in the film The Field and whether it is worth pulling over for.

Where Is Aasleagh Falls?

Aasleagh Falls is on the River Erriff in County Mayo, just a few kilometres from Leenane and right at the point where the river runs into Killary Harbour. You will find the waterfall here on Google Maps. The Mayo tourism page places it about 1 km north of the Galway/Mayo border on the R335, and it is listed as a Discovery Point on the Wild Atlantic Way.

If you are coming from Connemara like we did, it is the natural next stop after Killary Harbour. You barely leave your route.

What Is Aasleagh Falls Like?

It is not a big waterfall. But that is not what makes it special. It is the setting. The water flows across a wide shelf of rock, with mountains all around, and the whole scene feels much larger than the drop itself.

The Erriff is also known for salmon and sea trout, which swim up this river to spawn. According to Galway Tourism, the river is a hotspot for salmon fishing, particularly from June to September, so do not be surprised to see anglers along the banks.

Aasleagh Falls Parking and Van Access

This is the part to get right. The road here is narrow and has blind bends. We drove a little past the falls, found a safe place to park and walked back. The car park we used has room for roughly 25 vehicles, it is free and there is no height barrier, so a van fits without any problem.

What we did not like: right at the Aasleagh Falls bridge, which has the best view of the waterfall, a lot of cars simply stopped on the road. It was a constant coming and going, and you had to keep an eye on the traffic while standing there. Many drivers clearly had not noticed that there is a proper car park just a few metres further on.

So please do not block the road or stop on a bend for a photo. Park properly and walk the short distance back. Parking overnight is not an option here.

Aasleagh Falls and The Field

You might recognise this place from a film. Aasleagh Falls was a filming location for The Field, the 1990 film with Richard Harris. Galway Tourism notes that a fight scene was shot at the falls, while most of the film was made in and around Leenane and Killary Harbour. Standing here, you can see why they chose it.

Is Aasleagh Falls Worth Visiting?

If you are near Leenane or Killary anyway, yes. It is a short, beautiful stop. We did not stay long. Not because we wanted to leave, but because, after everything we had seen that day, it was finally getting dark.

Best Time to Visit

We arrived at the very end of the day, shortly before dark, and the light was fading fast. If you want photos, come a little earlier than we did. Several guides, including The Irish Road Trip, say the falls are most impressive after heavy rain, when the Erriff carries more water.

Our Honest Takeaway

Aasleagh Falls is one of those stops where you spend about 15 minutes. We would not plan a day trip just for this spot. But combined with the many other places in the area, it is certainly worth a visit, as long as you use the car park instead of stopping on the bridge.

Our Aasleagh Falls stop on video

A wide shelf of rock, mountains all around and the last light of a very long day. Here’s how our stop at Aasleagh Falls went, and where we parked the van.

Aasleagh Falls: 🎥 Walk to the bridge with us and see the falls just before dark – watch from 15:02.

Or watch the full video of our third day in Ireland, from Galway to Killary Fjord and Aasleagh Falls.

Aasleagh Falls FAQ

Where are Aasleagh Falls?

Aasleagh Falls are on the River Erriff in County Mayo, a few kilometres from Leenane, close to the Galway/Mayo border and the head of Killary Harbour. The road that passes them is the R335.

Is there parking at Aasleagh Falls?

Yes. A few metres past the bridge there is a free car park with roughly 25 spaces and no height barrier. Use it instead of stopping on the bridge, because the road is narrow and has blind bends.

Is Aasleagh Falls free to visit?

Yes. We paid nothing for parking or for visiting the waterfall.

How long do you need at Aasleagh Falls?

We needed 15 to 20 minutes to walk to the bridge and take a few photos. If you add one of the longer walks in the area, plan more time.

Was The Field filmed at Aasleagh Falls?

Yes. Aasleagh Falls was a filming location for The Field, the 1990 film with Richard Harris. Much of the rest of the film was shot around nearby Leenane.

Can you park overnight at Aasleagh Falls with a campervan?

No, we would not plan on staying overnight here. The car park works well for a short stop with a van, but you should look for a campsite or another place to sleep elsewhere.

---

Planning your own Connemara road trip? Check our Killary Fjord Viewpoint post, our Inagh Valley and Lough Inagh post, our Screebe Waterfall stop and our Ireland facts before you go.