County Mayo
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County Mayo (Irish: Contae Mhaigh Eo, the plain of the yews) is a county on the west coast of the Republic of Ireland. It is in the province of Connacht. The county town of Mayo is Castlebar. Mayo is bordered to the south by Galway, to the east by Roscommon, and to the north-east by Sligo.
According to the 2002 census, Ballina is the largest town at 1,451 hectares, compared to Castlebar at 1,099 hectares. Castlebar, however, was recorded as having a larger population of 10,287, compared to Ballina at 9,478.
The shrine of Knock is in Mayo close to the border with County Roscommon. Mayo is also home to Croagh Patrick a mountain where St. Patrick is said to have fasted for forty days and nights.
The highest point in Mayo and Connacht is Mweelrea (814 metres). The river Moy in the northeast of the county is renowned for its salmon fishing. Ireland's largest island, Achill, is in Mayo.
Mayo is also noted for its Gaelic Football team, and their struggle to capture the All-Ireland Football Title in recent years. They last won the Sam Maguire Cup in 1951. Mayo's most recent All-Ireland final losses have been in 1989, 1996, 1997 and 2004.
Michael Davitt, founder of the Land League, was born in Mayo, the bridge to Achill is named after him. Also born in Mayo was Patrick Browne 1720-1790, Doctor and botanist of Jamaica. The south of Inishturk island has a small secessionist movement which seeks to join with County Galway to the south, although so far they have made little progress.
Towns and villages in County Mayo
- Achill Sound (Gob an Choire), Aughagower, Aughleam (An Eachléim)
- Balla, Ballina, Ballindine, Ballinrobe, Ballintubber, Ballycastle, Ballyhaunis, Bangor Erris, Bekan, Bellavary, Belderrig (Béal Deirg), Belmullet (Béal a' Mhuirthid)
- Carrowteige (Ceathrú Thaidhg), Castlebar, Castlehill, Charlestown, Claremorris, Cong, Cregganbaun, Cross, Crossmolina
- Foxford
- Glenhest
- Hollymount
- Keel, Kilgalligan (Cill a' Ghallagáin), Kilkelly, Killala, Kilmaine, Kilsallagh, Kiltamagh, Knock
- Lahardane, Lecanvey, Louisburgh
- Mayo, Mulrany, Murrisk
- Neale, Newport
- Partry, Pontoon
- Ross Port (Ros Dumhach)
- Shrule, Strade, Swinford
- Toormakeady (Tuar Mhic Éadaigh)
- Westport
Other places in County Mayo
- Ashford Castle
- Achill Island
- Ballintubber Abbey
- Clare Island
- Clew Bay
- Croagh Patrick
- Ireland West Airport Knock
- Lough Mask
- Mullet Peninsula
- Nephin Beg Mountains
- Partry Mountains
- Rockfleet Castle
See also
External links
- [Mayo County Council's website]
- [Tourism in West Ireland]
- [Mayo Web Directory]
- [Map of Mayo]
- [Western People]
- [County Mayo Genealogical records]
- [Mayo Echo - Mayo's Free Weekly Newspaper (Published online)]
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