Co. Mhaigh Eo // Co. Mayo

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County Mayo is a county on the west coast of the Republic of Ireland. Mayo stretches from Lough Corrib in the south to Killala Bay in the north; between those it offers stunning mounting scenery, megalithic tombs, fishing waters, hiking trails and great golf courses (including the championship course at Westport in west Mayo). The people of Mayo are renowned for their hospitality and friendliness.

Mayo's Gaeltacht

An Ghaeltacht of County Mayo is represented by three towns: Ceathrú Thaidhg (Carrowteige), Eachléim (Aughleam) and Tuar Mhic Éadaigh (Tourmakeady). The Gaeltacht also covers some of Oileán Acaill (Achill Island). Tuar Mhic Éadaigh (Tourmakeady), is a scenic angling district between Lough Mask and the Partry Mountains. It is a popular Gaeltacht area. An Irish language college was established here early in the century. One of the pupils was Éamon de Valera.

The name of Eachléim (Aughleam) derives from Irish word Each for horse and Léim for jump, as local folklore claims that a horse jumped from the east of the town land to the west, demarking the area's boundaries. Ionad Deirbhle is in the heart of the Eachlím Gaeltacht. The centre gives the visitor a valuable insight into the lifestyle of this area in times past.

Towns of Mayo

Castlebar and Ballina are the largest towns in the county, both with a population of around 10,000. Westport is a popular tourist town, charming, with lively traditional pubs and plenty of Irish music. It's situated at the mouth of Clew Bay.

Oileán Acaill // Achill Island

On the ocean side of Clew Bay is Oileán Acaill (Achill Island) - the largest island off the Irish coast, and probably the most beautiful, with lovely mountains, sea cliffs, moors and sandy beaches. Achill Island is accessible from the mainland by bridge. Two adventure centres which offer the best in windsurfing, sailing, abseiling, diving and many other activities can be found on the island, as well as the Achill Seafood Festival which has established itself as one of Mayo's best festival weekends. The Festival is held in July and offers gourmet seafood, with plenty of ceol, music agus craic in the traditional pubs in the evenings.

Scoil Acla is one of Ireland's oldest summer schools offering workshops in traditional music, creative writing, set dancing and Ceilí Workshops. The summer school hosts art exhibitions, painting courses and Gaeilge Acla - the Irish of Achill. The Deserted Village on the island is worth seeing. It used to be the largest settlement on the island, but it's now just a picture of crumbling houses and stone walls. The villages Toir and Toir Reabhach became depopulated over a period of time. The sheer size (stretching for 2 km on the mountainside) of the remains of the settlement is impressive. The site location along the side of the mountain with panoramic views southward over the Island is dramatic. Signs of farm and family activity are still visible. The atmosphere of the Deserted Village is unique; its remoteness; a feeling of almost intruding on those who lived there; a sense of the frugality of life in such a place and time and the overall air of mystery; who were they, why did they settle here, how did they survive and why did they leave? See mayo-ireland.com for more.

Cruach Phádraig // Croagh Patrick

On the mainland, Cruach Phádraig (Croagh Patrick) is a famous hiking destination with more spiritual touch most of the times, since this is the place where Saint Patrick is said to have performed his snake-banishing act. What is that? St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, fasted on the summit of Croagh Patrick for forty days in the 5th century and built a church there. It is said that at the end of Saint Patrick's 40-day fast, he threw a bell down the side of the mountain, banishing all the snakes and serpents of Ireland. Nowadays, on Reek Sunday, the last Sunday in July every year, over 25,000 pilgrims climb the mountain, many of whom climb barefoot.

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