Irish Counties - Mayo

County Mayo (Contae Mhaigh Eo in Irish, the "plain of the yews") is a county on the West coast of Ireland. It is in the province of Connacht. The captial of Mayo is Castlebar.

Castlebar (Caisleán an Bharraigh in Irish) is the county town of Mayo County, Ireland. A campus of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and the Country Life section of the National Museum of Ireland are two important local amenities. The town is connected by railway to Dublin and the neighbouring Mayo towns of Westport and Ballina.

The town grew up as a settlement around the DeBarra castle in the 11th century and was later the site of an English garrison. A military barracks operates in the town to this day. It is therefore unsurprising that armed conflict should be the centrepiece of the town's historical heritage. French forces under the command of General Humbert aided a rout of the English garrison in the town during the failed Irish Rebellion of 1798. This was so comprehensive that it would be known as "The Races of Castlebar". A shortlived Irish Republic was declared following the victory and local landowner, John Moore, was declared its president. His remains are today interred in a corner of the town green, know as the Mall.

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 part of Mayo. Michael Davitt, founder of the Land League, was born in Mayo. The bridge to Achill is named after him.

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• Mayo People
• Mayo History
• Mayo Travel

Writers associated with Co. Mayo include:

• Deane, John F. poet and novelist
• Durcan, Paul poet
• Healy, John
• McCormack, Mike short story writer & novelist
• Moore, George novelist, playwright & essayist
• Mullen, Michael
• O'Brien, Pat

Towns and Villages:
Balla (Balla), Ballina (Béal an Átha or Béal Átha an Fheadha), Ballycastle (Baile an Chaisil), Ballyhaunis (Béal Átha hAmhnais), Belmullet (Béal an Mhuirthead), Castlebar (Caisleán an Bharraigh), Claremorris (Clár Chlainne Mhuiris), Killala (Cill Ala), Lecanvey (Leac an Anfa), Louisburgh (Cluain Cearbán), Murrisk (Muraisc), Newport (Baile Uí Fhiacháin), Tourmakeady (Tuar Mhic Éadaigh), Westport (Cathair na Mart)