Maam Valley

Starting near its northern end, the valley holds the main course of the Joyce River, coming down from the western flanks to pick up small tributaries.

An Mám has an active pub, and Leenaun has a pub, hotel and guest house, café and restaurants, outdoor leisure centre and community centre, and more again at the nearby Delphi Resort and Delphi Lodge across the fjord.

The valley, formed around a fault, and modified by heavy glaciation, is considered of geological interest.

In January 2018 a fossil found in the valley in the 1990s was declared to be a distinct species and named for its finder Dr Eamon N. Doyle.

This find attracted international attention, and a well-known Irish nature writer, Michael Viney, suggested that it advanced the case for a Maam Valley and Joyce Country Geopark, on the lines of the successful Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark.