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The word Mayo
derives from the Irish word Maigh Eo - the
plain of the yew trees. County
Mayo is the third largest
county in Ireland. Located in the West Of Ireland
in the province of Connaught, Mayo
boasts dramatic scenery,
sandy beaches and hundreds of island and
lakes that provide an abundance of unspoiled beauty.
Mayo has Knock Airport just a 55 minute drive so why not hire a car
at
Knock Airport and explore the beautiful county of Mayo.
The
west of Ireland is home to some of Ireland's top links courses,
including the internationally renowned Westport Golf Club.
Westport town itself a previous Tidy Town winner, a lively town
where you will find music and craic in many of its pubs. Westport
town in Summer time is picturesque, with its lovely stone bridges,
and flower and tree lined streets beside the River Carrowbed, it is
a well visited tourist stop off point with lots to do and see and
with the beautiful bay of Clew Bay a short distance from the town.
Clew Bay with its many small little islands, where you can enjoy any
number of water sports, along with fishing and swimming in one of
its many inlets, bays or one if its Blue Flag Beaches in Mayo such
as Bertra, Carrowmore, Clare Island. Visit Clew Bay Heritage Centre
in Westport which documents the history and archaeology of County
Mayo and the Irish Clans of Mayo.
Achill Island in County Mayo is a fabulous place to get away from it
all in Ireland, the peace and beauty found here at any time of year
is stunning. It is easy to see why so many artists, photographers,
and writters are drawn to Achill Island. Be it driving around Achill
or cycling or just enjoying a walk on the beach, you will be sucked
into its beauty. Achill has numerous Blue Flag beaches to be
proud of from Trawmore Strand, Dooega Beach, Doogort Beach, Keel,
Keam and Golden Strand. You can enjoy some stunning coastal drives
out by the breath taking Minaun Cliffs near Dookinella, and from
Mulranny out the Currane Peninsula enjoy this Atlantic Drive, enjoy
the views of Achill Sound. For the walkers and mountain climbers
Achill has much to offer such as the dramatic valley of Annagh or
from Keem Strand head for Croaghaun mountain in Achill and pass
Lough Acorrymore on the way or take the Great Western Greenway walk
way a 12 mile track for walkers and cyclists, which takes the route
of the old Westport to Achill railway line and more, starting at
Achill, onto Mulranny, Newport and finishing in Westport.
Achill is steeped in history with the Deserted Village in Slievemore,
where there are 80 odd old stone cottages, and megalitic tombs here.
Kildavnet Tower is an example of a 15th century Irish tower house.
The Céide Fields in Ballycastle, Co Mayo, with views out over the
Atlantic Ocean, are the oldest known stone walled fields in the
world, which once discovered during bog cutting, were then mapped
out to clearly show the layout of the fields which once were
cultivated by our ancestors during the Stone Age and also found were
tombs and house remains..
Croagh Patrick is situated five miles from the
picturesque town of Westport.
It is renowned for its Patrician Pilgrimage in honour of
Irelands national apostle, Saint Patrick. It is
here where Saint Patrick banished
the snakes from Ireland.
Every year people travel from all over the world to climb
Croagh Patricks
summit, not only for religious purposes but
also for the spectacular scenery.
Magnificent views of Clew Bay and the surrounding south Mayo
countryside are to be had from all stages of the ascent of the
mountain. At the base of Croagh Patrick mountain
is 'The Croagh Patrick Information Centre' giving details of the
discovery of Christian activity here, close to the Centre also is
'The Famine Monument' which depicts a Coffin Ship from the Famine
times.
Mayo's other famous religious site is Knock, which
is visited by thousands of pilgrims every
year, a site where the apparition of Our Lady, St
Joseph, and St John the Evangelist appeared to several people in
1879 and so became an recognised Marian Shrine, visited by Pope John
Paul II and Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Knock Museum on site tells
the story of the apparition also on the Shrine grounds are to be
found five churches including the church where the apparition was
seen, all set on beautiful gardens, with lots of facilities for
pilgrims and including a hotel and a Rest and Day Care Centre for
the sick visiting Knock Shrine. Knock Shrine is less than 20 minutes
drive from Knock Airport.
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Mayo Visitor Attractions
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ACHILL ISLAND , a home, a holiday, a memory. Full of
history, music and lore. For the artist, the angler, the hill walker.
For young and old, dreamer and doer. For you. This virtual Island site
is designed to represent every aspect of life on Achill Island. Try a
scenic or historic tour. If you work in the media or are a freelance
writer visit our media centre where you will be able to get a feel for
Achill Island. See some spectacular sailing June to September with
traditional Achill yawl , with Achill Yawl Sailing Festival. Visit
Mayo's National Museum of Country Life, in Turlough, Castlebar Co Mayo
which depicts the Irish way of Life between the Famine and the years
after. Ballycroy National Park is made up of much mountainous terrain,
Atlantic blanket bog and much floura, fauna and wildlife to explore here
such as Plover, Grouse, fox, badger, otters, bats and rare habitats
there is much to explore.
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